A non-medical review is when Social Security checks whether your disability case still meets the rules, but does not re-examine your medical condition
When Social Security sends you a notice for a non-medical review, it means they are looking at your case to see if you still meet the non-medical requirements to stay on SSDI or SSI. They are not questioning whether your condition is still disabling. Instead, they are checking things like whether you are working, how much money you earn, whether you have other income or resources, or whether your living situation has changed in a way that affects your benefits.
This is different from a medical review, where Social Security asks your doctors for updated medical records and may schedule you for a consultative exam to see if your condition has improved. A non-medical review happens on paper, using information you report and information Social Security already has on file.
The reason you receive a non-medical review depends on your specific situation. Some people get them on a routine schedule. Others get them because Social Security has a reason to think something in your case may have changed — for instance, if they received a report that you are working, or if your address changed and they want to confirm where you live.
Key Takeaways
- A non-medical review checks your work, income, and living situation, not whether your disability is still valid.
- You will receive a notice in the mail that tells you exactly what Social Security is reviewing and what information they need from you.
- The most common reason for a non-medical review is a change in your work status or income.
- If you do not respond to the notice, Social Security may stop your benefits, so respond by the important date on the letter.
What Social Security is actually checking during a non-medical review
Social Security has rules about how much you can earn and still receive SSDI. For 2024, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the amount changes each year), Social Security considers you to be doing substantial work, and your benefits may stop. A non-medical review often focuses on whether you have crossed this earnings threshold or whether you are working in a way that suggests you are no longer disabled.
For SSI, Social Security also checks your income and resources. If you have savings or other money that exceeds the resource limit — currently $2,000 for an individual — your SSI payments may be reduced or stopped. A non-medical review may be triggered if Social Security suspects your resources have grown.
They also verify that you still live where you said you do, that you are a U.S. citizen or national (if required for your benefit type), and that you have not been convicted of a crime that would disqualify you. If you are under age 18, they may check whether you are in school and how you are doing there.
How to respond to a non-medical review notice
The notice you receive will list exactly what Social Security needs from you. Read it carefully and circle the important date — it is usually 10 days from the date on the letter. Do not assume you have a month.
Gather the documents the notice asks for. Common requests include recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, bank statements, proof of where you live, or a statement about any work you have done. If you cannot find a document, write a brief explanation of why and send what you do have. Sending something by the important date is better than sending nothing.
Mail your response to the address on the notice, or ask your local Social Security office whether you can bring documents in person. Keep a copy of everything you send. If you have a representative — a lawyer or advocate — give them a copy too.
What happens after you respond
Social Security will review what you sent and decide whether your case still meets the rules. This usually takes two to four weeks. You will receive a letter telling you the result.
If everything checks out, your benefits continue with no change. If Social Security finds that something has changed — for instance, that you are earning too much — they will tell you what will happen next. They may reduce your benefits, stop them, or ask you to repay some of what you received. The letter will explain your right to ask for a reconsideration if you disagree.
If you do not respond to the notice by the important date, Social Security will make a decision based only on the information they have. This often results in your benefits being stopped. If that happens, you can ask for reinstatement within a certain time frame, but it is much easier to respond on time.
The difference between a non-medical review and a continuing disability review
A continuing disability review (CDR) is when Social Security re-examines your medical condition to see if you are still disabled. During a CDR, you will be asked to see a doctor for an exam, or Social Security will request updated medical records from your treating physicians. A CDR can result in your benefits being stopped if Social Security decides your condition has improved enough that you can work.
A non-medical review does not involve any medical examination or medical records. It is purely about the non-medical facts of your case. You could have both types of review at different times, but they are separate processes with different purposes.
If your notice says "non-medical review," you do not need to schedule a doctor's appointment or worry that Social Security is questioning whether you are still disabled. If it says "continuing disability review" or asks you to see a doctor, that is a different process and requires a different response.
Common reasons your case gets a non-medical review
Social Security may initiate a non-medical review if you report that you are working, even part-time. They want to verify how much you are earning and whether it affects your benefits. If you started a job or increased your hours, expect a review.
A change of address can trigger a review. Social Security wants to confirm where you live because your location affects whether you are may be able to access for certain state-specific benefits and to prevent fraud.
If Social Security receives information that you are working — from a third party, from tax records, or from another government agency — they may open a non-medical review to investigate. This can happen even if you did not report the work yourself.
For SSI recipients, a non-medical review may happen if your household situation changes, if someone moves in or out, or if your living arrangements shift in a way that affects how much SSI you should receive.
What to do if you disagree with the result
If Social Security sends you a decision letter that you believe is wrong, you have the right to ask them to reconsider. The letter will explain how to request a reconsideration and the important date to do so — usually 60 days from the date on the letter.
To request a reconsideration, send a written request to the address on your decision letter. Explain why you think the decision is wrong and include any new information or documents that support your position. For example, if Social Security said you earned too much, but you have a pay stub showing lower earnings, send that pay stub.
If you have a representative, they can file the reconsideration request for you. If you do not have one and believe the decision is incorrect, consider contacting a disability advocate or lawyer who works with Social Security cases. Many offer free initial consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a non-medical review stop my benefits?
Not automatically. A non-medical review only stops your benefits if Social Security finds that you no longer meet the non-medical rules — for instance, if you are earning too much or if your resources exceed the limit. If you respond on time and your situation has not changed, your benefits will continue.
Do I have to see a doctor for a non-medical review?
No. A non-medical review does not involve any medical examination or request for medical records. If the notice asks you to see a doctor, it is a continuing disability review, not a non-medical review, and that is a different process.
What if I lost the notice Social Security sent me?
Call your local Social Security office and tell them you did not receive the notice or lost it. They can tell you what they are reviewing and what important date you are working with. If you have already missed the important date, explain that to the office — they may still accept your response if you act quickly.
Can I work while my non-medical review is happening?
Yes, you can work. However, if you are working, report it to Social Security as part of your response to the review notice. Hiding work or failing to report earnings can result in overpayment, which means you will owe money back.
How often will I get non-medical reviews?
The frequency depends on your situation. Some people get them once every few years on a routine schedule. Others get them more often if Social Security has reason to believe something in their case has changed. There is no set rule for how often they happen.