August 2024 Spotlight on
Social Security Newsletter

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Spotlight on Social Security Newsletter brings you exciting news, work incentives information, success stories, and other valuable information for beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and their families and the professionals serving them.

In this issue:

Webinar - Understanding the Social Security Medical Continuing Disability Review

If you have been approved for SSDI or SSI, the law requires Social Security to periodically check if you still qualify for these benefits. The process is called Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The frequency of these reviews varies based on your medical condition. Join us during our next webinar to learn what to expect in a medical CDR.

Title: Understanding the Social Security Medical Continuing Disability Review
Date: Thursday, August 15, 2024
Time: 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. PST
Location: Zoom

Have a question about this webinar? Submit your questions here.

Register for future webinars or explore archived recordings, such as our recent webinar, Preventing and Dealing with Social Security Overpayments.

Featured Spotlight Article - Understanding the Social Security Medical Continuing Disability Review

This month, we will help demystify Social Security medical CDR. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for your next medical CDR.

What is a Medical Continuing Disability Review?

A medical CDR is a routine check by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine if you still meet the medical requirements to receive disability benefits. The purpose is to make sure that beneficiaries continue to qualify based on their medical condition. If you typically keep up with your medical appointments and treatments, and your medical condition has not improved, there is usually no need to worry about a medical CDR.

Debunking the Ticket to Work Medical Continuing Disability Review Myth

You may think that using your Ticket to Work will trigger a medical CDR and you risk losing your benefits. This is just a myth. Here are key points to consider if you are interested in working while on SSDI and/or SSI:

  • Social Security periodically evaluates your medical condition and schedules medical CDRs based on the information they have about your disability, as well as the expected medical improvement of your condition.

  • If you participate in the Ticket to Work Program and are making “timely progress” toward your employment goal, you will not be subject to a medical CDR.

  • If a medical CDR was already scheduled before you assigned your Ticket to Work, Social Security will initiate the medical CDR.

How Often Are Medical Continuing Disability Reviews Conducted?

The frequency of your CDR depends on the likelihood of your medical condition improving:

  • 1 Year Review Cycle: If improvement is expected.
  • 3 Year Review Cycle: If improvement is possible but not certain.
  • 5-7 Year Review Cycle: If improvement is not expected.

These cycles help ensure that those who need benefits continue to receive them and those who no longer need them can transition off Social Security supports.

What Forms and Questions to Expect

When a medical CDR has been initiated for you, you may be asked to complete specific forms, such as:

  1. Forn SSA-827: Authorization to Disclose Information

    • This form allows SSA to obtain your medical records directly from your healthcare providers. See also, (SSA-827 Spanish)

  2. Form SSA-454: Continuing Disability Review Report

    • This form asks detailed questions about your medical condition, treatments, daily activities, and any work you might be doing. It is important that you document the health care providers you have seen. Online Form SSA-454

    Key Questions

    • Describe any changes in your medical condition since the last review.
    • List all medical treatments, tests, and visits to healthcare providers.
    • Provide information on your ability to perform daily activities.
    • Report any work activity, including job duties, hours worked, and earnings.
    • Share details of medications you are taking, including dosages and reasons for taking them.

  3. Submitting Evidence from Your Own Doctors: By providing detailed and well-documented evidence from your own doctors, you can help ensure that the SSA has all the necessary information to make an informed decision during your medical CDR.

    • Gather Medical Records: Collect all relevant medical records from your doctors, including diagnoses, treatment plans, progress notes, test results, and any other documentation that supports your disability claim.
    • Include Detailed Reports: Ask your doctors to provide detailed reports about your medical condition, how it affects your daily life, and your ability to work. These reports should be as comprehensive as possible.
    • Submit to SSA: When you receive the CDR notification and forms from the SSA, you can include the medical evidence from your doctors. Make sure to submit everything by the deadline specified in the notice.

  4. Consultative Exams: While the SSA encourages beneficiaries to submit medical evidence from their own doctors, they may still require you to attend a consultative exam with an independent doctor if they need more information. This is standard practice and helps ensure that all aspects of your medical condition are thoroughly reviewed.

How to Prepare for a Medical CDR

Here are some simple steps to help you prepare:

  • Stay Organized: Keep all your documents and correspondence with the SSA in one place.
  • Keep Medical Records: Make sure you have up-to-date medical records from all your healthcare providers. These should include diagnoses, treatments, medications, and any other relevant information.
  • Complete SSA Forms: Fill out the forms accurately and completely when you receive them.
  • Respond Promptly: Always respond promptly to any requests from the SSA for information or documentation. Delays can negatively impact your review.
  • Stay Positive: The CDR is a standard procedure, and with proper preparation, you can navigate it smoothly.

Where Can I Find More Information?

If you're unsure about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to ask a friend, family member, disability professional or your local SSA Office for help. Resources:

For questions about Ticket to Work:

This newsletter is intended to provide general information and may not cover all aspects of the CDR process. For specific advice, please contact the SSA directly.

Social Security Update: Coming Soon, Changes to Accessing Online Services

In the News: New Social Security Website Sign-In Method

  • Soon, you may not be able to sign into the Social Security website using your current Social Security username and password.
  • Instead, you’ll need an account with Login.gov or ID.me.
  • If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, you will be prompted to use it to access Social Security’s online services.
  • This change affects all online services (important for wage reporting and accessing forms online).

Steps to Take

  • If you only use a Social Security username to sign in, you’ll need to create a Login.gov or ID.me account.
  • Here’s how:
    1. Go to www.ssa.gov and click "Sign in" at the top right.
    2. Select "Sign in with Social Security Username."
    3. After signing in, you’ll be prompted to create an account with Login.gov.

Need Help?

This Month’s DOR Work Incentive Planning Services Success Story

Tracy began working with Armando, a DOR Work Incentive Planner (WIP), while receiving SSDI benefits due to degenerative disc disease and other physical impairments. These conditions made work challenging for Tracy. She was receiving SSDI benefits while working part-time as a caregiver, through Medi-Cal’s In home Supportive Services.

Tracy’s employment goal was to become a Medicine and Health Service Manager. Her DOR Individualized Plan for Employment outlined steps to support her path to employment. Armando worked with Tracy to obtain a Social Security Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) to verify the status of her SSDI benefits. Armando analyzed the information on the BPQY and provided Tracy with personalized advice on how her expected earnings would impact her cash and medical benefits. Working with Armando gave Tracy the confidence to focus on her employment goals with a clear understanding of SSDI work incentives available to her. She was happy to discover that she had 9 Trial Work Period (TWP) months available. Armando explained that these months allowed her to test her ability to work without risking the loss of her benefits, regardless of how much she earned. He also explained other benefit protections that ensure Tracy would remain eligible for SSDI during the 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), continued Medicare and the process for Expedited Reinstatement, should her benefits end due to work and earnings.

Armando observed that Tracy was paying a monthly premium for her Medicare Part B coverage and informed her about Medicare savings programs. Tracy qualified for the Qualified Individual Program, which now covers her Part B premium, saving her $174 each month. Tracy’s earnings in 2020 allowed her to use her 9 TWP months. During Tracy’s 36-month EPE, she received her SSDI cash benefit for each month her earnings were below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. She continues to work with Armando for ongoing guidance and to review any changes that may affect her benefits.

Throughout her journey, Tracy achieved her bachelor’s degree while maintaining her part-time role as a caregiver. She was recently offered a full-time position at a medical center; she plans to earn above the SGA level of $1,550 per month and is looking forward to having more money every month. Tracy’s determination and Armando’s guidance exemplify how individuals with disabilities can navigate returning to work while managing their benefits. Tracy’s story proves that with the proper planning and supports, achieving an employment goal is possible.

You too can work with a WIP like Tracy!

  • Interested in learning about your disability benefits?
  • Are you ready to go to work?
  • Meeting with a WIP is a great way to get the facts about your Social Security Benefits.
  • Sound Interesting?

Talk to your DOR counselor to see if you are eligible for DOR WIP Services.

Not currently Receiving DOR Services?

If you are ready to start an exciting journey with DOR, please click here to Get Started. You will need to provide additional information about yourself to request services.

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Get your free subscription to this new Newsletter that focuses on topics related to Social Security Disability Benefits. The Newsletter will keep you up to date with the latest developments in Social Security benefits and related programs and provide you with important information that may help you make informed decisions about your benefits and work.