FAQs About The Social Security Disability Review Of Benefits

After being approved for Social Security disability benefits, your case is subject to occasional reviews. The reviews are designed to determine if you are still eligible to receive benefits. Depending on the results of the review, you could lose benefits or have them reduced. If you have a review upcoming, here is what you need to know.  

Why Are Benefits Denied or Reduced?

During the review, the Social Security Administration, or SSA, basically reviews every aspect of your claim again. Your medical condition, ability to work and finances are part of the review. 

If your health has improved to the point you are able to work, your benefits can be cut or reduced. Whether or not they are simply cut depends on if it is determined if you can work at least part-time. 

In order to receive benefits, your monthly income cannot exceed $1,130, as of April 2016. If it does, your benefits can be denied. 

How Can You Prepare for the Review?

When you receive notice of the review, you need to collect documentation to support your claim. In fact, you should look at it in the same manner as the initial application for benefits. 

You need to provide the agency with medical authorizations for all medical care providers who have treated you for your condition. You also need to collect financial documents that show how much monthly income you have. 

The SSA will send you a form requesting details about your condition. When completing the form, it is important to be thorough about your condition and how it impacts your ability to work. For instance, instead of simply stating you have back pain, you could explain that the back pain prevents you from standing for more than an hour at a time, which was required at your job.

What If You Are Denied?

If the SSA determines that you are ineligible to receive benefits after the review, you can file an appeal. You have a certain amount of time to file the appeal, so it is important that you act quickly. 

Although you collected evidence for the review, you need to dig deeper and determine if there is more evidence that could help sway the SSA. For instance, a former supervisor or family members could write a statement regarding how your condition has impacted your health. 

You can ask your doctor to write a statement that documents your health and how working is not possible. The doctor needs to also state how long he or she believes the impairment will last. 

To increase the chances that your review goes well, consult with an attorney (such as one from Crowley Ahlers & Roth Co LPA).  

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