Receiving Social Security Disability benefits (SSD) can be life-changing for individuals who are unable to work due to a disabling condition. However, maintaining your social security disability status requires ongoing compliance with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) rules and regular updates to your case.
In this post, we’ll discuss essential steps to ensure you keep your benefits and avoid any disruptions.
Understand the Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
The SSA conducts periodic Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) to determine if you still meet the requirements for disability benefits. Medical CDRs generally occur every 3–7 years, depending on the likelihood of improvement.
- If improvement is “expected”, your case may be reviewed sooner (every 6–18 months).
- If improvement is “not expected”, reviews may be less frequent (every 5–7 years).
Pro tip: Keep records of all medical treatments, doctor visits, and medications.
Updated medical documentation can protect your eligibility during a review.
Report Changes Promptly
You are legally required to notify the SSA about any changes that could affect your eligibility. This includes changes such as improvements to your medical condition, changes in your work activity or earnings, and changes to your living arrangements. If you fail to report these changes, it may result in overpayments, penalties, or your benefits being terminated.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
If the SSA finds that you’re not following prescribed medical treatments without a valid reason, they may question whether your condition still qualifies as disabling. You may have valid reasons for not following your treatment plan, such as experiencing severe side effects, contradicting your religious beliefs, or you cannot afford care. While these are all valid reasons, if at all possible, it is best to comply with your physician’s recommendations. If you absolutely cannot comply, be sure to share that with the SSA as well as your legal representative (if you have one).
Be Careful with Work Activity (The Trial Work Period)
SSD recipients can test their ability to work through the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP states you can earn above a certain amount ($1,110 per month in 2025, subject to change) for up to 9 months within a 60-month period to test and see if you are able to return to work. After the TWP, the SSA will determine if you’re capable of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which could end your benefits.
Pro Tip: Use SSA’s “Ticket to Work” program for support in returning to the workforce without risking immediate loss of benefits.
Stay Organized
Staying organized and keeping your documentation is key! You should keep a folder with all SSA correspondence, your medical records, earnings reports, copies of any forms submitted, and physician notes. Good documentation can help you during CDRs or appeals if your benefits are challenged.
Lastly, seek legal assistance.
If the SSA decides that you’re no longer eligible for disability benefits, you have the right to appeal. Deadlines are strict (usually within 60 days), so act quickly. While you must meet these strict deadlines, the SSA does not have deadlines to adhere to, which can add to the confusion and frustration of attempting to manage an appeal on your own.
The legal team at Parmele Disability Advocates has been helping individuals appeal ineligibility decisions for 24 years, and they have assisted over 61,000 individuals in receiving the Social Security and VA disability benefits they deserve. Contact them today (866-889-2570) to schedule a complimentary consultation to determine your next best steps.