For Those Already On Social Security Disability

[vemee]

Has anyone who has been on social security disability for a number of years has their review. I am getting close to the time when they should be contacting me to review my case. I just want to know is the review as hard as getting the award was?

[potsgirl]

I was just awarded disability last summer, so I'd be interested in the answer, too. Good question to post.

[Rachel]

You may or may not be reviewed actually. I was up for review a year and a half ago, but they still have yet to review my case. I've heard from others in the disinissues group that they often don't review as soon as they say they will. I have never been reviewed, but from what I understand the review is a lot easier than the initial approval.

Rachel

[vemee]

Thanks Rachel

[Sophia3]

I get reviewed about every 5 years. You often have to fill out lots of paperwork and see a shrink if you aren't seeing your own therapist. And your doctor has to fill out lots of paperwork.

The last review I had to do two huge packets of documents going over every nuance of my life asking how my life had changed. It was MOST depressing but it's what they do and need to do to rule out the fakes. But it was the most paperwork with detailed questions I had seen and I had to call them and ask them if I could have extra time. They said yes.

[vemee]

Thanks Sophia3, I am really starting to dread this. I am seeing a pots specialist so he should back me up but its the other doctors I worry about.

[Jan]

The reviews can vary from info you have to fill out, and info you have to send your doctor, to them sending you to their doctor. Initially they came every couple of years but the older you get, the less often they come. I thought I heard that once you get to 55 they practically stop.

It is depressing to put all my pathetic limitations on paper.

[Sophia3]

How OFTEN one is reviewed with SSD depends on the INITIAL dx and reason for getting disability. Mine was for CFS (and of course a depression disorder which I only found out about 10 years ago) there is a code the put under your name and those numbers can TELL you their code..but I only know that from the Disinissues group.

Certain likely to improve reviews are like 1-3 years other 3-5 years or it's 3 yrs and 5 yrs (I have memory issues and after all these years just take it a day at a time)

MOST IMPORTANT THING, have a good doc and or therapist to see if need be. DOCUMENT your daily limits "not the name of your illness". That's the key.

The packet I got 5 years ago with the numerous pages, detailed questions was something people only sometimes get. The little 4 page thing where you pencil in the answers in the blocks is sometimes enough or gets you a little paperwork. I would not wish the detailed TWO documents sent to me in yellow 8x10 envelopes on anybody.

sorry I can't remember the specificities of the details but they will not just forget about you after a certain age...they are just back logged in paperwork that can delay stuff for months or years. I experienced that also but thats not worth going into and I will not revisit that time anyway.

[jlmahon]

I have been on SSD since 2002 and have not been officially reviewed yet. I did receive a questionnaire a few years ago that I had to complete and send back. I received a letter shortly after saying I did not have to do anything further at the time. I'm not sure if it depends on the reason for disability or if it just varies. I would think it would be very difficult to take someone off SSD once they are receiving it. My lawyer told me never to worry about losing it.