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Will My Disability Benefits Be Reviewed After I’ve Won My Social Security Claim?

The Social Security Disability Post-Award Review

Once you have won your Social Security Disability Claim and started receiving your disability benefits, one question that may come up is “will Social Security continue to check on my medical condition?”.  The answer is YES!

The Social Security regulations require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to conduct reviews of claimants’ medical conditions periodically to make sure people who are receiving disability benefits continue to be disabled.  Depending on the nature of the impairments, Social Security is supposed to conduct these reviews every three to seven years on each case; but in our experience, it does not happen quite that often.  Actually, in some cases, especially if the claimant is older, they never even receive a follow up review.  Even the younger claimants with impairments that have a good chance of improvement do not always face a review at the three-year mark.  This is in large part because of how backlogged Social Security is with handling claims; this is also the reason why it takes so long for a Social Security Disability claim to get through the whole process.

However, there are cases where the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) specifically prescribes within his/her written decision for a review to be conducted within a certain amount of months or years after benefits have been awarded.  This is usually the case for people with a condition that has great potential to improve such as individuals diagnosed with a form of cancer that is very curable, musculoskeletal conditions in younger people that may improve with surgery, or an infant with low birth weight.

So what actually happens if your condition comes up for review?  First, Social Security will send you a letter that asks you to go to your Social Security office where you will meet with a SSA disability examiner.  This person will ask you whether or not your medical condition has improved or not.  You should bring to the appointment a list of doctors and medical facilities that you have been to since you have been receiving disability; in addition, take your a list of your current medication and any dates of specific treatments you have had (such as surgeries).

Be ready to answer the question: “Have you attempted to return back to work since you have received disability?”.  The disability examiner will order your medical records from your doctors offices to evaluate your condition.  Here is why our office consistently reminds our clients of continuing medical treatment after they receive their benefits; if you do not continue to get medical care, SSA assumes that your condition has improved.  If you have not seen any doctors since your disability benefits started, the medical examiner will either assume that your condition has improve, or he/she will send you to a doctor for a one-time exam fpr which the SSA will pay.  The doctors who perform these exams do not usually do a thorough job of evaluating your condition, and they do not usually offer the most favorable opinions on the claimant’s behalf.  In summary, continue to get medical treatment after you receive your disability benefits so that your monthly benefits do not have to rely on the one-time evaluation of a doctor who does not know you and is paid by Social Security to review your health condition.

Once the review is complete, Social Security will either determine that the condition has not improved and disability benefits will continue, or the SSA may determine that your condition has improved and you may return to the workforce.  In this case, you will stop receiving benefits.  If SSA does cease your benefits by finding that your condition has improved, you can appeal their decision and ask them to further review your case.

The Khaki Law Firm
Our Firm Approach

There are many Social Security disability law firms throughout Georgia. What sets The Khaki Law Firm apart from the rest? Why should you choose us? We are honored to represent those who have worked hard most of their lives, but due to a mental or physical impairment are no longer able to maintain employment and earn an income.

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    We Are Here For You!

    Step 1 Of 2

    We Are Here For You!

    Have you had to stop working due to a physical and/or mental disability?YesNo

    Have you seen a medical professional in the past 6 months for your disability?YesNo

    Have you been advised by your medical professional that you are unable to work and need to file for disability?YesNo

    Have you made an application for social security disability and/or had a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge?YesNo

    Are you currently or have you in the past received any benefits from the Social Security Administration?YesNo

    Step 2 Of 2

    Contact Info

    With offices in Alpharetta, Atlanta and Marietta, we provide legal assistance to people throughout Georgia and the Southeast in all matters of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

    We are ready to help you, and offer multiple ways to reach us.