SSDI recipients: how often is the disability re-evaluated?

If you have been receiving SSDI for many years: how often does the SSA re-evaluate your case? During re-evaluation, does the SSA rely on your medical records, send you to their own Dr., or both?

Cross-posted in Insurance and Finances.

When I got SSDI I was designated as long term. I don’t recall the proper terminology but it was years before they contacted me. They just sent me a form occasionally that asked the name of my doctors and dates of if any hospitalizations. I think in thirty years I got maybe three forms to fill out. I never heard back from them after filling out the forms. No idea if they contacted drs and hospitals to follow up on veracity. I’m 65 now.

MINE? Are they called MINE, medical improvement not expected?

It was over thirty years ago and I don’t remember much I was not stable at the time. I had medical diagnoses of Deafness, mental health diagnosis of bipolar and PSTD. I was just devastated at the letter. My whole world fell apart. I only applied to make my psychiatrist happy. I did not expect to be approved and certainly did not expect to read in black and white my prognosis was so dim.

that is a lot: bipolar, deafness, PTSD together.

Yes. The deafness was since age 3 and a half, I never considered it a disability. The bipolar and ptsd were new and the whole psychological world was new to me. Now days they might have called it cptsd but I overcame the ptsd it’s no longer an issue. And at long last my bipolar has been stable since starting latuda. But now I have hardware in my back that keeps me from walking or standing much, if not for that I’d go back to work. I don’t feel 65.

I got re-evauated about 1.5 years ago. They just took a look at all of the doctors I was seeing and approved me without any needing any furthur info.

I've had to do other very lengthy re-evaulations that have involved paperwork from my pdoc, and my therapist, and my mom, and I had to submit some stuff in myself too. That only happened once.

Can you sit? I am asking since you wrote about low bone mineral density. One can lift weights while sitting. I do it a lot since I am prone to lightheadedness (possibly blood pressure drops, too) from changing positions and lifting while sitting avoids that, keeping me stable. It can be fun doing dumbbell exercises while sitting.

am very glad that you do not feel 65 and that Latuda helps so well.

Yes. I can sit. I joined the Y about 3 years ago and was doing water aerobics and a class for seniors that has weights. It was an intense 45 class of dance moves, weights, yoga movements and mindfulness. Its purpose is to increase longevity and decrease falls. But after I moved into the apartment I now live in I did less and less then not at all. The apartment has increased dramatically my social life but increased the sitting around talking, playing games and eating out. I need to rejoin the Y.

I have been getting re-evaluated like clockwork every 7 years. I don't know who made that determination that I have to re-certify and fill out a bunch of paperwork, but it's been happening every 7 years since I was first approved years ago, I am not sure how long.

Oh please go back to them! It sounds like you had a really versatile workout there. I almost joined Y but ultimately joined another gym closer to me. That other gym's representative, even though they are competitors, told me that Y is a wonderful organization.

You wrote about yoga and I remembered sitting yoga I once did as part of a therapy group. It was so much fun!

I have read that every 7 years means that your case is MINE: medical improvement not expected. For expected medical improvement, they apparently re-evaluate every 3-5 years.

Interesting, never knew that. I had been hospitalized every year (at least twice), since I have had disability so I can see how that makes sense and they would think that.

I was never re-evaluated. Never had to fill out any additional paperwork after I was accepted.

I've been on it eight years now? Was reevaluated after the first three years Had to fill out all the same forms when I had initially applied (from me, husband, doctor, therapist, case manager, etc.), but haven't been reevaluated since then. I'm overdue, now that you mention it.

I’ve been on it 6 years and I think I got reevaluated one time after a year or so after and that’s it.

can I ask how many hospitalizationa you had had prior to being awarded SSDI in the first place?

As already mentioned, the time between re-evaluations depends on how likely you are deemed to recover enough to go off disability. Upon initial approval, this is determined by your past history and current situation, and could later change again if your condition worsens or vice versa.

Read SSA - POMS: DI 28001.020 - Frequency of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) - 08/09/2023 for the most detailed response to your question.

When I applied for SSDI I had 10 psych hospitalizations and 12 IOPs within the 3 1/2 years that preceded it. My condition had worsened, greatly, over that period. In between, I had attempted to return to work several times, most attempts lasting short periods and only reaching part-time. Only once did I reach full-time again for a while, which was followed by my worst of the bad episodes, including ECT.

Initially on SSDI, I received CDRs more frequently. My condition was still very bad. There are "short form CDRs" and "long form CDRs". The latter requires more details and generally comes less frequently. They ask questions like if you've returned to work/school or how likely that might be, in your doctor's opinion. More detailed questions relate to what you are able to do most days (capabilities for Activities of Daily Living).

As Nammu wrote, if deemed a very long-term (or permanent) disability, the reviews are years between each other. As also mentioned, they'll ask for updates on any new mental healthcare providers and the frequency that you usually see them.

Though not relevant to most people here, know that an American collecting SSDI (or SS retirement) can continue receiving it if they move abroad (with a few exception countries...maybe Iran, Russia, Syria, or the like). This is not the case for SSI. In the former cases, this is arranged through a designated American embassy in (or near) the foreign country. There are other steps, too. Also, if a review requiring a doctor is needed, there are designed "approved" local doctors for that.

I was about to ask about moving as I was reading the post, but you already answered @Soupe du jour at the end of it.

As long as you notify SS about any address and bank info (if getting direct deposits).