If you were awarded Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration determined your condition was so severe it prevented you from working and earning income. However, just because you’ve obtained your benefits doesn’t guarantee they’ll last forever. The SSA periodically reexamines beneficiary cases through continuing disability reviews (CDR) to ensure individuals collecting benefits still meet necessary eligibility criteria. One part of this process is the disability update report. Understanding this review process and how to handle a disability update report can help ease concerns and ensure you’re more prepared when the time comes.
What Is a Continuing Disability Review?
Periodically, the SSA conducts a CDR to determine whether or not a person currently receiving disability payments still meets SSDI eligibility. Either a work CDR, where the SSA reviews earnings, or a medical CDR, where the SSA reevaluates your condition against medical criteria, may be conducted. Those who receive SSDI benefits should anticipate the review process every three years.
What Is a Disability Update Report?
A disability update report, called an SSA-455 or a short form, collects information from current beneficiaries about recent medical conditions and treatments, recent education or career training, and attempts to return to work. In this case, “recent” means anything within the last two years. The SSA will also review your income and living arrangements to ensure you still meet earning requirements as well. You may complete and submit the form online or mail it back to the SSA. The disability update report isn’t the equivalent of a medical review, but, depending on your answers, the SSA may initiate a medical review after it receives your completed report.
What Does a Disability Update Report Ask?
The Social Security disability update report will ask you to review and provide information about your activities and medical history over the past two years. Specifically, you’ll need to indicate whether you have:
- Held a job or were self-employed
- Received confirmation from your doctor that you can return to work
- Participated in any educational or work training programs
- Been hospitalized or undergone surgery
- Consulted a doctor or visited a clinic for treatment related to your condition
- Been asked about your interest in rehabilitation to help you return to work in some capacity
How to Fill Out a Disability Update Report
When going through the short form, read all instructions and answer questions with as much detail as you can. Vague or incomplete responses may cause issues with your benefits. Provide as much information as possible concerning your condition. This should include any changes, whether positive or negative, since your last report. Be sure to include specific symptoms and how those symptoms affect your daily life. Also include any medications, treatments, therapies, or medal devices you use as well as your healthcare provider’s information so the SSA has a well-rounded understanding of your condition and the care necessary to manage it.
While filling out the report, discuss what a typical day looks like, including any challenges or limitations you face due to your disability. Talk honestly about how these things impact your life and your ability to return to work. If you have worked since you received benefits or since your last report, include as many details as possible about the type of employment, starting and ending dates, hours worked, duties, and earnings. Part-time, contract, or intermittent work must be reported as well.
What Are Red Flags On SSA-455?
Some red flags on the Social Security disability update report include:
- Checking the box that states your doctor told you that you can work
- Checking the box that says your health is better now than when you were approved for benefits
- Entering earnings that exceed the substantial gainful activity level
- Failing to see a doctor for your conditions in the past year or since you were approved for benefits
Remember, you will not lose your benefits because of the disability update report, but your answers may prompt the SSA to require you to undergo a full medical review. The best thing you can do is to be honest and detailed in your answers. If you aren’t, the SSA will find out.