SSDI review

Well, the time I've been dreading for months has come: my SSDI claim is up for review, and I'm nervous. I'm so afraid I'm going to be kicked off benefits because I'm more stable and in better shape overall than I was when I was first approved, but I'm still not fit for work. I know I'm not. The only reason I'm doing well is that I live a relatively low-stress lifestyle; I'd be a quivering wreck if I had to go back to the rat race.

I got a two-page form that really only asked if I was working, what if any hospitalizations I've had, and which doctor(s) I've been seeing and how recently. They also had a small space for other concerns, which I filled up and had to use another piece of paper. I want them to know how impaired I really am, what with my memory problems, difficulties in learning and retaining new information, and physical disabilities. I'm hoping that, along with my age, will be enough to keep my benefits, because I don't think I'll ever be able to get a job again. I'm too old and too screwed up.

Have any of you been through a review? Were you able to stay on SSDI? Did you need additional documentation, or did you have to see their doctors/psychiatrists? I'm really anxious about all this and I fear losing the only income I have.

I go to a public facility. Both pdoc visits and meds are for free. My doctor told me, when we first met, that he will never tell SSDI that I can work. So I have not the experience that you are having, but I have some thoughts on this. What illness are you on SSDI for? If it is for MI, anything that does not relate to this specifically, is irrelevant. All they would be interested in is if you can hold down a job, even if it is just pushing a broom around. In this case, I think you need to get a pdoc to sign off on a letter that states you are not ready for work. This is just my opinion.

FWIW, I think my doctor is the reason I never had a review. I have been on SSDI for about 15 years. There was a review letter twice. In each case, there was a follow up letter stating for me to ignore the first letter. Go figure. My next review is coming later this year. Lets see if the same thing happens again.

I had a review about a year ago. It went fine. Apparently about 95% of appeals are approved and if you aren't they keep paying you through an appeal, so the first thing is don't panic.

I had the same fears you did. But I just had to fill out a form detailing my ability/inability to do a large number of thigs (just focus on how hard it is for you to manage tasks, what extra help/time/meds/etc you need). Then my therapist got a form that was pretty similar. They were very similar to the forms you do when applying.

Both forms went back in and a few weeks later I was told I was good until a next review in 3 years.

Hang in there. It will be ok.

My review was really easy at the social security office. I answered questions and.that was it.

As others have written, my review was no problem. It just consisted of my pdoc filling out a two-sided form & sending it in. There was no visit to the SSA necessary. When I received notice that I'd be receiving SSDA, they simply said I'd be up for review every seven years. I hope your experience is as easy as mine was. I don't think you have anythingt to worry about.

My review was just questions, a few stupid ones I think.

I got a letter about 3-4 weeks later saying no further action required your benefits will not change.

I was nervous too but my T assured me to not worry, and he was right.

Most days can’t function more than just basics needs. Some days I can do more , but... between bipolar and my chronic pain? There is no way I could go back to work.

Sucks I would rather be back working 6 out of 7 days a week 12 hours shifts.

i had a review every.single.year after I was first approved. after the last one, things simmered down. i dont know when or if i'll have another review.

I hope things work out well for you. :-)

How long between reviews have people had? I hear different stuff that it's every 2, or 3, sometimes more, years in between.

Technically my benefits started right at 2 years ago, but that was partly retroactive. I've been getting monthly benefits for about 15 months.

A couple months ago I got a form that asked about my recent work history (there isn't any), and they said they sent it because I had worked some in 2016 and those earnings exceeded whatever the standards were. But I was not yet on benefits then, like I said they took things back retro.

A week later I got another letter that said we have reviewed your case and benefits are continuing. I'm hoping that it was the only review that needed done, and they won't do another for awhile. I'm not able to work, my doctor just said 'no' to me a few weeks ago and said to not think about it and focus on my health.

Going thru a review sounds really stressful.

BipolaRNurse, I just got my review paperwork yesterday (Feb. 28th)! Wish we both didn't have to go through this. I am working part-time, so I guess I can make things work if they deny me, but it would be quite stressful. I kind of wish they'd raise the bar for getting benefits to start with, but then continue them indefinitely once you do show that you qualify so that there's no need for further stress. Ugggh...last time it took them 6 months to do my review, so I guess we're covered for awhile regardless. In your case, though, I think you will be just fine because they do say that they'll continue benefits if you're stable, but would destabilize if you returned to work. I'm not so sure about me, though--I've been trying to find full-time work, but can't due to the ramifications of past decompensations--and the thing with Social Security is that they're concerned with whether you can't work, not with whether you can't find work. I do think things will work out fine for you, though, so please try to relax

I find major reviews anxiety-provoking.
I think you'll be fine. It's the waiting to hear back from them that gets long.


WC

I went through one and continued to receive disability until I chose to go back to work and get off it. I’m not old either. I know what you’re going through. It’s going to be ok.

I had one review and it terrified me too, even though all I had to do was answer a few questions and my doctor and psychiatrist had to fill out their forms too and I was approved. I am suppose to be reviewed every 7 years but they reviewed me 3 years in, and I am not sure why. I am already worried about the next one because I am losing weight but my body is still in so much pain I cannot walk more than a few feet before becoming winded and needing a break. I have to get an MRI on my knee as it keeps locking up on me. But I also have some severe anxiety and depression issues. My problem (and main worry) has been that my psychiatrist retired on me! And no replacement was made- so I have had to go searching for a new one and found one but my first appointment won't be until May 18th. I haven't been to an appointment since November and it wasn't my fault. So I hope that I can have time to establish my medical records again before they write me for another review. It terrifies me, like if something can go wrong, it will.
I just wish and hope for a smooth review for you. I *know* worrying about won't do any good- but it doesn't stop my mind from excessively worrying about it.

I had to only fill out all the hospitalizations I had the last time I filled something out. Since I've been stable I hope I don't have another anytime soon. My pnurse would probably say everything's fine when it's not.

Yeah, I haven't had any hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons in over three years, so that probably indicates stability in the eyes of Social Security. My current pdoc has only been with me for a year and a half so he doesn't know my past very well; I don't know what he'd say if he had to tell SS whether or not I can work. The uncertainty of all this makes me very, very nervous.

Your anxiety is understandable.
My pdoc of 20+ years is retiring. I am concerned the new one does not know me well enough for disability reviews.

I understand where you are coming from on this.


WC

I just keep getting letters that say my disability is continuing but I've only been on disability one year

I had zero hospital visits due to my ptsd and I stayed on disability until I went back to work. It’s going to be ok.

Good news! I got a letter from SS saying that they are NOT going to review my case at this time. They didn't say when or even if I would be reviewed, either. I guess my "sob story" worked, which isn't really a sob story at all but the truth...I've asked myself repeatedly if I really can't work, or if it's just because I have so much anxiety over it. Well, I think it's a combination of anxiety and the fact that I have an enormous amount of difficulty with learning and retaining new information. That, and the fact that I have physical problems such as being unable to stand and walk for very long make it hard to find a job I can actually do. I am so relieved!!

Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I just found out that although I mailed my paperwork in a pre-addressed, no-stamp-necessary envelope with my return address on it two weeks ago, they apparently "lost" it. Thus, I had to fill it out again. I guess this time I'm taking it there in person. I'm not sure what they'll make of me. I'm clearly doing much better than I was when I applied, but every time I try to work full-time, I decompensate again. I've tried working with vocational rehab to get some support so I can try re-entering the workforce with help this time to make things more manageable, but all they say is that I'm "in the queue" to get services and will have to "wait my turn." I'm only 34, so I don't want to stay on disability for the rest of my life--but I'm scared of having my benefits removed before I'm ready. I'm making this all about me though, haha--sincerest apologies!! I am super happy that you won't have this worry hanging over you anymore