Will the SSA review my disability even after benefits begin? – II
In our last post, we discussed how those people who have endured the prolonged and sometimes taxing process of securing Social Security disability benefits should be aware that at some point in the years, months or even weeks ahead, the Social Security Administration will review their medical condition to ensure that they still have qualifying disabilities.
We also made clear, however, that notice of this review will be provided in advance, and that disability benefits will only stop if 1) a person’s health has seen considerable improvement and 2) they can work regularly. We’ll continue this discussion in today’s post, exploring the review process.
The review process
In addition to setting forth the time and date to report to a local branch office, the SSA letter will also request that the recipient of disability benefits bring along certain information, including names and contact information of treating medical professionals, hospital record numbers, and employment information if they have worked since applying for benefits or their previous medical review.
After meeting with an SSA official and answering general questions about their medical condition, both the disability recipient’s answers and the requested information will be forwarded to a state office — i.e., Colorado Disability Determination Services.
Here, a disability examiner, working alongside an experienced medical consultant, will request relevant medical information from doctors, hospitals and other providers, conduct a comprehensive review and render a final decision.
However, if the disability examiner and medical consultant determine that the medical evidence presented is incomplete or no longer current, they may mail a letter to the disability recipient asking them to report for a no-cost, special medical examination at a set time and location. Their final decision would then be rendered after this special medical examination is conducted.
It’s important to reiterate that as disconcerting as all this seems, disability benefits won’t be stopped so long as the evidence demonstrates that a person’s condition hasn’t improved and they remain unable to work. Furthermore, as we’ll discuss in a future post, there are still four levels of appeal to challenge a potentially adverse decision.
If you would like to learn more about the medical review process or have questions about disability benefits in general, please consider speaking with an experienced legal professional.
