Do I Have to Apply Every Year After I Start to Receive Benefits?

On This Page

1. Understanding the Disability Review Process
2. Getting Help for Stopped Disability Benefits
3. Talk to a Pittsburgh Disability Attorney About Your Case Today

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

You do not need to apply every year after you start to receive benefits. However, the Social Security Administration will review your qualifications for benefits on a regular basis. During this process, you may need to supply additional information to prove you still qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Understanding the Disability Review Process

The Social Security Administration will regularly review your health status to ensure you still qualify for disability payments. In general, if your health has not improved, you should continue to get your regular monthly cash benefits.

The frequency of reviews depends on the nature and severity of your illness and resulting impairment:

• If doctors expect you to improve, your case reviews will occur every six to 18 months
• If doctors believe improvement is possible, your case reviews will occur about every three years
• If doctors do not believe your condition will improve, your case reviews will occur about once every seven years

Alternatively, some impairment listings have their own time limits built in. For example, if you underwent a transplant as a treatment for your condition, the Blue Book listing of impairments calls for a review after one year. At this time, the Social Security Administration will look at your medical records to determine whether you have any residual disability from the transplant.

Getting Help for Stopped Disability Benefits

In theory, your monthly cash benefits should continue until your condition improves. If it has improved but prevents you from keeping a job, your benefits should still continue. However, we understand that theory does not always align with practice. If the Social Security Administration stops your SSDI or SSI payments after a review, give us a call right away at 412-661-1400.

You can file an appeal to help you keep the disability benefits you need and deserve. Be aware, however, that you only have a short window of opportunity to act. You need to file your appeal quickly to ensure you continue receiving benefits.

So, act today, and let us argue your case before the Administrative Judge.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Disability Attorney About Your Case Today

The Pittsburgh disability attorneys from Berger and Green can help you get and keep the SSDI and SSI benefits you need and deserve. We can file an appeal for you if time permits and guide you through the initial claims process. If you suffer from an impairment because of a car accident or other personal injury accident, we can even pursue compensation on your behalf in a civil lawsuit.

Call or text us today at 412-661-1400 to learn more.