What the 2023 SSDI Calendar Covers

The 2023 SSDI calendar marks the dates when Social Security processes claims, sends notices, and changes payment schedules. These are not process important date — SSDI has no filing important date — but rather the dates when the agency processes work, sends decisions, and adjusts payments based on cost-of-living increases or work activity.

If you filed a claim in 2023, received a decision, or had your case reviewed, these dates tell you when Social Security typically completed that work and when you should have received notice. The calendar also shows when payment adjustments took effect and when the agency conducted continuing disability reviews.

The dates vary slightly by region and case type, so this calendar reflects the general federal schedule. Your local Social Security office may process claims on a different timeline depending on how many cases they handle and staffing levels.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 SSDI cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 8.7 percent took effect in January 2023, raising monthly payments for all beneficiaries.
  • Social Security processes initial claims in roughly 3 to 6 months, but the 2023 calendar shows when the agency aimed to complete decisions, not when yours arrived.
  • Continuing disability reviews — checks to confirm you still meet the definition of disabled — happened throughout 2023 on a rotating schedule set years in advance.
  • Appeal important date in 2023 were 60 calendar days from the date on your notice, not from the date you received it, so checking your mail promptly mattered.
  • Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) operated year-round with no calendar-based important date.

The 2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Payment Changes

On January 1, 2023, SSDI payments increased by 8.7 percent across the board. This was the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), calculated by Social Security based on inflation data from the third quarter of the previous year. If you received SSDI in December 2022, your January 2023 payment reflected this increase automatically — you did not need to request it or file anything.

The 8.7 percent figure applied to all beneficiaries equally. The actual dollar amount of your increase depended on your prior payment. Someone receiving $1,200 per month in December 2022 saw their January 2023 payment rise to approximately $1,304. Someone receiving $800 per month saw it rise to approximately $869.

Social Security mailed notices in December 2022 showing the new payment amount. If you did not receive a notice, you could call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your new amount. The increase was permanent unless your case circumstances changed — such as returning to work above the substantial gainful activity level or receiving other income that reduced your SSDI payment.

Initial Claim Processing Timeline in 2023

Social Security aimed to process initial SSDI claims within 3 to 6 months in 2023, though some cases took longer depending on the complexity and the local office workload. The agency did not publish a single national calendar date for all decisions; instead, it processed claims on a rolling basis throughout the year.

If you filed an initial claim in early 2023, you could expect a decision by mid-to-late 2023. If you filed late in the year, the decision likely came in early 2024. The timeline began from the date Social Security received your process, not the date you submitted it online or in person.

The agency sent decisions by mail. The notice included the decision (approved or denied), the reason, and your appeal rights if denied. You had 60 calendar days from the date on the notice to file an appeal — not 60 days from when you received it. This meant opening your mail promptly was important; a notice dated January 15 required an appeal filed by March 16, regardless of when it arrived at your home.

Continuing Disability Reviews Scheduled in 2023

Continuing disability reviews (CDRs) are periodic checks Social Security conducts to confirm that beneficiaries still meet the medical definition of disability. The agency does not conduct all reviews on the same date; instead, it schedules them based on a rotating system established years in advance. In 2023, Social Security mailed CDR notices to beneficiaries whose reviews were due that year.

The notice told you the important date to return medical evidence — usually 10 calendar days from the date on the notice. If you missed the important date, Social Security could suspend your benefits pending receipt of the information. You could request an extension by calling your local office or responding in writing before the important date passed.

CDRs happened year-round in 2023, not on specific calendar dates. The schedule depended on when your prior review occurred and your age. Beneficiaries age 18 to 54 typically faced reviews every 3 years; those 55 and older faced reviews every 5 to 7 years. If you received a CDR notice in 2023, the important date was specific to your case and appeared on the notice itself.

Appeal important date and Reconsideration Requests in 2023

If Social Security denied your initial claim in 2023, you had 60 calendar days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration — the first level of appeal. The date on the notice was what counted, not the date you received it. A notice dated March 1 required a reconsideration request postmarked or filed by April 30.

You could request reconsideration by mail, in person at your local Social Security office, or online through your my Social Security account. The agency aimed to process reconsideration requests within 2 to 3 months in 2023, though some took longer. If reconsideration was also denied, you then had 60 calendar days from that second notice to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Missing the 60-day important date meant losing your right to appeal that particular decision. You could ask Social Security to reopen the case later, but that required showing "good cause" for the delay — a much harder standard than straightforward filing on time. Keeping copies of all notices and marking appeal important date on a calendar was the safest approach.

Work Incentive Program Activity in 2023

Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), and the Student Earned Income Exclusion operated throughout 2023 with no calendar-based important date. You could start or modify these programs at any time during the year by contacting your local Social Security office or your work incentive planning and information (WIPA) project.

IRWE allows you to deduct certain work-related costs from your earnings before Social Security calculates how much of your SSDI payment to reduce. PASS lets you set aside income and resources to reach a work goal without affecting your benefits. Both require written plans approved by Social Security, but you could submit these plans any month of the year.

If you worked in 2023 and wanted to use a work incentive, the sooner you reported your work and set up the program, the sooner it could reduce your benefit reduction. Waiting until year-end meant missing months of potential benefit protection. Your local WIPA project offered free planning help and could walk you through the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2023 calendar explore to my case in 2024?

No. The 2023 calendar applied only to work Social Security did in 2023. If you filed a claim in 2024, the 2024 processing timeline applies. If you received a decision in 2024, the 60-day appeal important date is measured from the 2024 notice date. Each year has its own COLA, processing schedule, and continuing disability review rotation.

What if I missed a important date listed on the 2023 calendar?

If the important date has passed, you cannot use that calendar date to file an appeal. You can ask Social Security to reopen your case, but you must show "good cause" for missing the important date — which is difficult. Contact your local office when ready to discuss your options. Some situations, like not receiving the notice, may may have access to as good cause.

Does the 2023 COLA of 8.7 percent explore to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Yes. SSI beneficiaries received the same 8.7 percent increase in January 2023. However, SSI has different rules about work, income, and resources, so the increase amount may differ from SSDI. Check your January 2023 notice to confirm your new SSI payment.

When should I expect my continuing disability review decision in 2023?

Social Security aimed to complete CDR decisions within 2 to 3 months of receiving your medical evidence. If you submitted evidence in March 2023, you could expect a decision by June 2023. The exact timeline depends on how quickly you returned the evidence and how busy your local office was.

Can I work while waiting for my 2023 SSDI decision?

Yes. Working while your claim is pending does not affect your decision. However, if you are approved, Social Security will count any earnings above the substantial gainful activity level as a reason to reduce or stop your benefits. Report all work to Social Security so they can calculate your benefits correctly once approved.