What Happens When the SSA Reviews Disability?

January 04, 2013 (Press-News.org) After the Social Security Administration awards disability benefits to a person, the SSA periodically reviews the recipient's medical condition to see whether he or she still meets the SSA's definition of disabled and qualifies for benefits. People should be aware of what occurs during a disability review and how it could impact their benefits.

How often does the SSA review disability?

When the SSA makes an initial disability benefit award, it places the benefit recipient in one of three categories for review, based on the severity of the recipient's condition:
- Medical improvement expected: If the SSA determines that a recipient's condition is likely to improve over time, the SSA will review the recipient's condition within six to 18 months after he or she begins to receive benefits.
- Medical improvement possible: If the SSA decides that it is possible but not likely that a recipient's condition will improve, the SSA will review the recipient's condition no sooner than three years after he or she begins to receive benefits.
- Medical improvement not expected: If the SSA does not expect the recipient's condition to improve, the SSA will review the recipient's condition no sooner than seven years after he or she begins to receive benefits.

How does the SSA review disability?

When it is time for the SSA to review a person's condition, the SSA will send him or her a letter alerting the recipient of the review. The SSA then requests records from any health care providers who have been treating the recipient since the initial disability determination. The SSA will also collect information regarding any work the recipient did and the pay rate for that work.

The SSA then passes the information and records along to a Disability Determination Services office, where a disability examiner and a medical consultant review the file to determine whether the applicant still meet's the SSA's definition of disabled: "the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."

What happens after a review?

Once the Disability Determination Services team makes a decision about a recipient's condition, the SSA sends the recipient a letter informing him or her of the decision. If the team determined that the recipient is still disabled, he or she will continue to receive benefits as before.

If the team decided that the person's condition has improved and can now work, the recipient's benefits will end within three months. If a person disagrees with the decision the Disability Determination Services team reaches, he or she may appeal in the same manner a person appeals an initial disability determination.

Obtaining or maintaining disability benefits can seem like an overwhelming process, particularly when trying to deal with a disabling condition. If you are trying to get Social Security disability benefits, seeking the assistance of an experienced Social Security disability attorney can help make the process go more smoothly.

Article provided by Milam Law
Visit us at www.milamlaw.com