Working with a Sanford SSDI lawyer can ensure your disability reassessment case is properly prepared and presented for a positive outcome.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two programs that provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are a recipient of SSDI, it is essential to prepare yourself for periodic disability reassessments. These assessments are conducted by the SSA, and their purpose is to evaluate your ongoing eligibility for SSDI benefits.
Understanding Disability Reassessments
Disability assessments are essential to ensure that benefits are allocated to those who genuinely need them and to account for any changes in the recipient’s health or circumstances. According to the SSA, the law requires a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) at least once every three years; however, if you have a medical condition that is not expected to improve, the CDR can occur once every five to seven years.
CDRs typically fall into two categories: medical reviews and work-based reviews, each with a distinct process and set of evaluation criteria.
- Medical Reviews: Medical reviews evaluate whether your disability still qualifies for Social Security benefits by examining its current severity and persistence. The SSA may seek updated medical records and physician reports and arrange a consultative exam.
- Work-Based Reviews: Work-based reviews aim to assess a recipient’s capacity for substantial gainful activity (SGA) by examining changes in their work and income. The SSA typically requests details on work history, earnings, job duties, and any vocational rehabilitation or assistance utilized.
Working with a Sanford SSDI lawyer can help you navigate either of these review types to ensure you prepare a compelling and accurate case.
Preparing for a Reassessment 
Our advice to ensure you are always prepared for a disability benefits reassessment is to maintain up-to-date and accurate medical records related to your disability. Adhering to any prescribed medical treatment is also to your benefit, as it shows you are committed to managing your disability. For a work-based disability case, keeping meticulous records of your work history and income is equally important.
Another great way to ensure you are adequately prepared for a reassessment is to work with an experienced Sanford SSDI lawyer, as they can help make sure you have all of the necessary documentation for your case. This proactive approach helps provide accurate information during reassessment and contributes to a smoother and more favorable outcome.
The Review Process
Navigating the disability reassessment process involves understanding key aspects to ensure a smooth experience. Every case is different, but the typical reassessment process follows this outline:
- The SSA will ask about the impact and any improvement in your medical condition and request you to bring details of your doctors and recent medical records, along with any work history and pay details since your last review.
- Your case will then be forwarded to the state’s Disability Determination Services for a decision, gathering new medical information from your healthcare providers. They will provide updated information on how your medical condition limits your activities, what your medical tests show, and what medical treatments you have been given.
- The Disability Determination Services will then review the changes in your medical condition since your last assessment or initial application, including any new health issues, to determine if there is a significant improvement in work capability. They will also evaluate how your overall health impacts the types of work you can currently undertake, considering both past and potential future employment.
If the SSA finds information that warrants a change in benefits, and you disagree with the decision, you can challenge your disability case outcome. Our first advice is to contact a Sanford SSDI lawyer to look at your case.
Choose Culbertson, Jacobs & LaBoda As Your Sanford SSDI Lawyer
Our knowledgeable team of disability lawyers brings a wealth of skill to navigate the complexities of reassessment cases. We have over two decades of experience comprehensively reviewing and understanding the specifics of SSDI disability cases, including meticulous attention to ensuring your medical records, treatment plans, and work history are accounted for. We are here to present a compelling case during reassessment reviews to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Contact us today to get started.