1. Why Does SSA Conduct Disability Reviews?

SSA conducts Continuing Disability Reviews to:

• Ensure beneficiaries continue to have disabling medical conditions that prevent them from working
• Determine if any medical improvement has occurred that could affect eligibility
• Evaluate compliance with income and asset rules for SSI recipients

2. How Often Are Disability Reviews Conducted?

The frequency of reviews depends on the likelihood of medical improvement:

• Medical Improvement Expected (MIE): Reviewed every 6-18 months
• Medical Improvement Possible (MIP): Reviewed approximately every 3 years
• Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE): Reviewed approximately every 5-7 years

Your initial award notice will usually state the review category assigned to your case.

3. The Disability Review Process Step by Step

A. Receiving the Review Notice

• You will receive a CDR notice by mail from SSA informing you that your case is being reviewed.
• It will include forms that you must complete and return within the specified deadline.

B. Completing the Disability Update Report

For short-form reviews, you will complete Form SSA-455 (Disability Update Report). It asks about:

• Recent medical visits and treatments
• Changes in your health condition
• Recent employment activity, if any

For more detailed reviews, SSA may require Form SSA-454 (Continuing Disability Review Report), which asks for:

• Comprehensive medical history updates
• Physician contact information
• Hospitalizations, surgeries, or emergency visits
• Medications, treatments, and therapies

C. Submitting Medical Evidence

SSA may contact your doctors directly to obtain updated medical records or request that you:

• Attend a Consultative Examination (CE) with an SSA-appointed doctor to evaluate your current medical condition
• Provide additional documentation or clarification if medical records are incomplete or outdated

D. Evaluation by Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Kentucky Disability Determination Services reviews your updated file and:

• Compares your current medical status to your initial approval
• Determines if medical improvement has occurred and whether it affects your ability to work
• Applies SSA’s “medical improvement review standard” (MIRS) to decide if benefits continue or end

E. The Decision

• If no improvement is found, your benefits continue, and your next review will occur based on your assigned category.
• If medical improvement is found, SSA evaluates whether you can engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). If so, your benefits may be stopped.

4. Your Rights During a Disability Review

• You have the right to submit additional medical evidence to support your continued disability status.
• If SSA determines you are no longer disabled, you can appeal the decision within 60 days. During the appeal process, you may request to continue receiving benefits until a final decision is made, although you may need to repay benefits if your appeal is denied.

5. Tips to Ensure a Smooth Disability Review

• Continue regular medical treatment: Ongoing care demonstrates that your condition persists and you are following recommended treatments.
• Maintain detailed records: Keep copies of medical visits, treatment notes, hospitalizations, medications, and any therapy progress.
• Report changes promptly: Notify SSA if you experience changes in your condition, living situation, or income to avoid complications.
• Respond on time: Return all forms and requested documentation by the stated deadlines to avoid benefit suspension.