Yes, most SSDI health reviews include a questionnaire, but not all reviews use the same form

When the Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) — a periodic check to confirm you still meet the medical criteria for SSDI — they often send you a questionnaire first. This form asks about your current symptoms, medications, doctors, hospitalizations, and how your condition affects daily activities. The questionnaire is not the entire review, but it is usually the first step.

The specific form you receive depends on your condition and the SSA's assessment of how your case should be reviewed. Some people get a detailed medical questionnaire; others get a shorter form. A small number of cases skip the questionnaire entirely and go straight to a medical examination or records review.

Key Takeaways

  • The SSA sends a questionnaire called a Function Report or medical questionnaire to most people during a Continuing Disability Review, asking about current symptoms, treatment, and how your condition affects work and daily life.
  • You must return the questionnaire within the important date stated in the letter — usually 10 days — or the SSA may suspend your benefits while they wait.
  • Answering honestly and in detail is critical; vague or incomplete answers often trigger a medical examination or records request, which delays the review.
  • The questionnaire is one piece of evidence; the SSA also reviews your medical records, and may order a consultative examination if the questionnaire and records do not clearly show you still cannot work.
  • If you disagree with the review outcome, you can request reconsideration and submit new medical evidence before the SSA makes a final decision.

What the questionnaire actually asks

The form most commonly used is called the Function Report — Adult (Form SSA-3373-BK), though the SSA may also send a medical questionnaire specific to your condition. Both ask similar questions: What symptoms do you have now? How often do they occur? What medications are you taking? Who is your doctor, and when did you last see them? Have you been hospitalized or had surgery? How does your condition affect your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, concentrate, or remember things?

The questionnaire also asks about your daily activities — whether you cook, clean, shop, manage money, or leave your home. These questions matter because the SSA is looking for inconsistencies. If you report that you cannot walk more than a few blocks, but you also report that you go shopping regularly, the SSA will note that contradiction and may order a medical examination to clarify what you can actually do.

Some questionnaires include a section on work-related activities: Have you done any work? Have you looked for work? Are you in school or training? The SSA uses these answers to determine whether you have engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA) — work that earns above a certain monthly threshold — which would end your benefits regardless of your medical condition.

The important date and what happens if you miss it

The letter that arrives with the questionnaire will state a important date, usually 10 days from the date of the letter. This is not a suggestion. If you do not return the form by that date, the SSA will send a notice that your benefits may be suspended. If you still do not respond after a second notice, the SSA can stop your payments while the review is pending.

If you miss the important date for a legitimate reason — illness, hospitalization, lost mail — you can request an extension. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and explain why you could not meet the important date. The SSA will usually grant a short extension, typically 10 to 14 additional days. Do not assume they will extend automatically; call as soon as you realize you will miss the important date.

If your benefits are suspended because you did not respond, they will be reinstated once you return the questionnaire and the review is complete, but you will not receive back pay for the months you were suspended. This makes returning the form on time critical.

How to fill out the questionnaire accurately

Be specific and detailed. Do not write "I have pain" — write "I have sharp pain in my lower back that worsens after standing for more than 30 minutes, and I take ibuprofen three times a day." Do not write "I see a doctor" — write "I see Dr. Jane Smith at City Medical Center every three months for my arthritis, and my last visit was in March 2024." The SSA uses these details to verify your condition with your doctors and to understand the severity.

If your condition has worsened or improved since your last review, say so clearly. If you have had new symptoms, new diagnoses, new surgeries, or new medications, list them all with dates. If you have stopped a medication because it did not work or caused side effects, explain that. The SSA is looking for a current, accurate picture of your health.

Be honest about what you can and cannot do. If you can walk a quarter mile but not a full mile, say that. If you can sit for two hours but not eight, say that. If you have good days and bad days, describe both. Exaggerating your limitations or minimizing them both backfire — exaggeration triggers a medical exam to verify your claims, and minimizing can lead to a finding that you can work.

What happens after you return the questionnaire

The SSA will review your answers and compare them to your medical records. If the questionnaire and your records clearly show that your condition still prevents you from working, the SSA may approve the review without ordering further examination — this is called a medical improvement not expected (MINE) review. Your benefits continue, and you will receive a letter confirming the decision.

If there are gaps in your medical records, inconsistencies in your answers, or questions about whether your condition still meets the severity threshold, the SSA will order a Consultative Examination (CE). This is a medical exam performed by a doctor or psychologist hired by the SSA, not your own doctor. The SSA pays for it, and you receive an appointment notice in the mail. You must attend; missing the exam without a valid reason can result in benefit suspension.

The entire review process typically takes 60 to 90 days from the time you return the questionnaire, though it can take longer if medical records are delayed or if the SSA orders additional tests. You will receive a final decision letter in the mail explaining whether your benefits continue, are suspended, or are terminated.

Types of continuing disability reviews and how they differ

The SSA conducts three types of reviews: medical improvement expected (MIE), medical improvement possible (MIP), and medical improvement not expected (MINE). The type determines how often you are reviewed and how thorough the review is.

If your condition is expected to improve — for example, you had a recent surgery and are in recovery — you will be scheduled for an MIE review, usually within 6 to 18 months. These reviews are more thorough because the SSA expects your condition may have changed. If your condition could possibly improve but is not expected to, you get an MIP review every three years. If your condition is permanent and not expected to improve — such as advanced arthritis or a spinal cord injury — you get a MINE review every five to seven years, and these are often less intensive.

Regardless of the type, the questionnaire serves the same purpose: to gather current information about your health and functioning so the SSA can make an informed decision about whether you still meet the criteria for benefits.

Common mistakes people make on the questionnaire

Leaving questions blank or writing "see medical records" instead of answering directly is a mistake. The SSA wants to hear from you, not just from your doctors. If a question does not explore to you, write "not applicable" rather than leaving it blank. If you do not understand a question, call the SSA and ask for clarification before returning the form.

Another common error is being inconsistent between the questionnaire and your medical records. If you tell the SSA you cannot lift more than 10 pounds, but your doctor's notes say you lifted a heavy box last week, the SSA will question your credibility. If your records and your answers conflict, the SSA will assume the records are more reliable because they are documented by a medical professional.

Failing to mention new doctors, new diagnoses, or new treatments is also problematic. If you started seeing a specialist or began a new medication between your last review and this one, the SSA needs to know. These changes can affect the outcome of your review.

What to do if you receive a questionnaire

Gather your medical information first. Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all your doctors. List all medications with dosages and how often you take them. Note any hospitalizations, surgeries, or emergency room visits since your last review. Have this information in front of you when you fill out the form.

Fill out the questionnaire completely and honestly. Take your time; do not rush. If you need help, ask a family member, friend, or advocate to information you. Some disability advocates and legal aid organizations offer free help with questionnaires. If you are unsure about any answer, it is better to write a detailed explanation than to guess.

Make a copy of the completed form before you mail it back. Keep the copy for your records. Mail the form back well before the important date — do not wait until the last day. If you can, use certified mail or a method that provides proof of delivery, so you have evidence that the SSA received it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit new medical records along with the questionnaire?

Yes, and you should if you have recent test results, imaging, or doctor's notes that show your current condition. Include a cover letter listing what you are submitting and explain why it is relevant. The SSA will consider all evidence you provide as part of the review.

What if I disagree with the review decision?

You have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days of the decision letter. You can submit new medical evidence, written statements from your doctors, or a detailed explanation of why you believe the decision is wrong. If you disagree after reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Do I have to answer questions about my personal life or finances?

The questionnaire focuses on your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work and perform daily activities. You do not have to answer questions unrelated to your disability. If a question seems invasive or unclear, you can ask the SSA to clarify what information they actually need.

What if my condition has improved since I started receiving SSDI?

Tell the truth on the questionnaire. If your condition has improved, say so. The SSA may find that you no longer meet the criteria for benefits, but honesty is always the right approach. If you are concerned about losing benefits, you can ask about work incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) that allow you to work while keeping some benefits.

Can I request a medical examination by my own doctor instead of the SSA's doctor?

No, if the SSA orders a Consultative Examination, you must see the SSA's doctor. However, you can submit a detailed report from your own doctor along with the questionnaire or at any point during the review. The SSA will consider your doctor's opinion as part of the evidence.