What happens during a Continuing Disability Review
A Continuing Disability Review (CDR) is when Social Security checks whether you still meet the medical requirements for SSDI. It is not a new decision about your case — it is a periodic check to confirm your condition has not improved enough that you no longer may have access to. Social Security sends you a letter telling you that a review is scheduled, and you will have a important date to return forms and medical records.
The review itself takes time because Social Security has to request your medical records from your doctors, wait for those records to arrive, have a doctor or psychologist at Social Security read them, and then make a decision. How long this takes depends on how quickly your doctors send records, whether your case is straightforward, and how many cases Social Security is reviewing at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- A Continuing Disability Review typically takes three to six months from the date Social Security sends you the initial letter.
- You must return the forms Social Security sends you by the important date they give you, or your benefits may stop while they wait.
- The timeline depends heavily on how fast your doctors respond to Social Security's requests for medical records.
- Social Security will tell you the outcome in writing, and you have the right to appeal if you disagree with their decision.
The typical timeline from start to decision
Social Security sends you a letter with forms to fill out. You usually have 10 days to return those forms. If you miss that important date, Social Security may stop your benefits until you send them in, so it is important to respond quickly.
After you return the forms, Social Security requests your medical records from your doctors. This step can take anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on how busy your doctors' offices are and how organized their records are. Some offices respond in days; others take months.
Once Social Security has your records, a doctor or psychologist who works for Social Security reviews them. This review usually takes two to four weeks. If your case is complex — for example, if you have multiple conditions or your medical history is long — the review may take longer.
After the review is complete, Social Security makes a decision and sends you a letter. The entire process from the initial letter to the final decision typically takes three to six months, though some cases move faster and others take longer.
What slows down a Continuing Disability Review
The single biggest factor is how fast your doctors send records. If your doctor's office is slow to respond to Social Security's request, or if your records are hard to find, the review stalls. You can speed this up by calling your doctor's office yourself and asking them to send the records to Social Security as soon as possible. Give them the address Social Security provides in your letter.
A second factor is whether your case requires a consultative examination. If Social Security does not have recent enough medical records, they may schedule you for an exam with a doctor they choose. This adds two to four weeks to the timeline because Social Security has to schedule the appointment, you have to attend it, and then the doctor has to send a report back to Social Security.
Cases with multiple medical conditions or psychiatric conditions sometimes take longer because the review is more complex. Cases where you have returned to work, even part-time, may also take longer because Social Security has to evaluate your work activity.
What you should do while waiting for a decision
Keep your benefits current by reporting any changes to Social Security right away. If you start working, earn more money, move, or have a change in your living situation, report it. These changes can affect your case, and reporting them promptly prevents delays or overpayments.
If Social Security requests additional information or records after you have already sent forms, respond as quickly as you can. Do not assume they have everything they need just because you sent something once.
Save copies of everything you send to Social Security. Keep a record of the dates you mailed forms, the dates you called your doctor's office, and any confirmation numbers Social Security gives you. If there is a dispute later about whether you sent something, you will have proof.
What happens if the review takes longer than expected
If more than six months have passed since Social Security sent you the initial letter and you have not heard a decision, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update. Have your Social Security number ready. They can tell you whether your records have arrived, whether a consultative exam is scheduled, or what step the review is currently at.
If Social Security stops your benefits while the review is pending and you believe that was a mistake, you can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You have 60 days from the date on the notice to request a hearing. During the hearing, you can present evidence that your condition still qualifies you for benefits.
What the decision letter will tell you
Social Security will send you a written decision. It will say either that you continue to may have access to for SSDI, that your benefits are being stopped because your condition has improved, or that they need more information and are scheduling a consultative exam.
If Social Security decides your condition has improved and you no longer may have access to, the letter will tell you the date your benefits stop. You have the right to appeal this decision. You can request reconsideration, which means Social Security will review the case again. If you disagree with reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my Continuing Disability Review is happening?
Yes, but you must report your work to Social Security. If you are earning money, Social Security needs to know because it affects the review. Work does not automatically disqualify you, but it is part of what Social Security considers when deciding whether your condition still prevents you from working.
What if my doctor does not send records to Social Security?
Call your doctor's office and ask them to send the records directly to Social Security. Give them the address from your letter. If they still do not respond after a week, call Social Security and tell them your doctor is not cooperating. Social Security can sometimes contact the doctor directly or schedule a consultative exam instead.
Do I have to attend a consultative exam?
Yes. If Social Security schedules a consultative exam, you must attend. If you cannot attend on the date they schedule, call Social Security when ready and ask to reschedule. Missing the exam without rescheduling can result in your benefits being stopped.
What if I disagree with the decision?
You have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to request reconsideration. This means Social Security will review your case again. If you still disagree after reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge within another 60 days.
Will my benefits continue while the review is happening?
Usually yes, as long as you return your forms by the important date and cooperate with Social Security's requests for records. If you miss the important date or do not respond to requests, Social Security may stop your benefits until you comply.