What Happens During a Continuing Disability Review (CDR)?
- Purple
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
How to prepare for a CDR and protect your SSI or SSDI benefits
Introduction: What Is a Continuing Disability Review?
If you receive SSI or SSDI, you may eventually get a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) saying your disability case is being reviewed.
This process is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), and it often leads to questions like:
📬 Why am I being reviewed?
📬 Will I lose my benefits?
📬 What do I need to send?
The short answer:
✔️ A CDR is a routine process to make sure you still meet SSA’s definition of disability.
✔️ If nothing has changed with your condition, your benefits will likely continue.
✔️ Being prepared and organized makes the process much easier.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ What a CDR is and why you might get one
✅ What documents SSA will ask for
✅ What the timeline looks like
✅ What to do if your benefits are denied
✅ How Purple helps you stay organized before, during, and after a CDR
1. What Is a Continuing Disability Review (CDR)?
A CDR is a review by the Social Security Administration to decide whether you still qualify for disability benefits based on your current medical condition and work activity.
There are two types of CDRs:
Medical CDR – focuses on whether your condition has improved
Work CDR – focuses on whether you’re working over SSA’s income limits (SGA)
📌 If you're on SSDI or SSI, SSA is required by law to review your case periodically.
2. When Will I Get a CDR?
The frequency depends on how likely SSA believes your condition is to improve:
SSA Classification | Review Happens Every: |
Expected to Improve | 6–18 months |
Possible Improvement | Every 3 years |
Not Expected to Improve | Every 5–7 years |
💡 Some reviews may be triggered early due to work activity or a tip to SSA.
3. What Happens During a Medical CDR?
✅ Step 1: You’ll Receive a CDR Packet
You’ll get one of two forms:
Short Form (SSA-455): For people with no major changes in their condition
Long Form (SSA-454): For cases that need a more detailed review
📬 The form will ask about:
Recent medical visits
Medications
Hospital stays
Work activity
How your condition affects your daily life
✅ Step 2: SSA Reviews Your Information
They may request:
Medical records
Doctor’s notes
Test results
Work history
They may also schedule a consultative exam (CE) if they need more evidence.
✅ Step 3: SSA Decides If You Still Qualify
If they decide your condition has not improved or you’re still unable to work, your benefits will continue.
If they decide otherwise, you’ll receive a notice of cessation (see section 5).
4. What Happens During a Work CDR?
SSA will look at how much you’ve earned while receiving benefits.
📌 2025 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) thresholds:
$1,620/month (non-blind)
$2,700/month (blind)
If your income exceeds these limits (after deductions), your benefits may be reduced or stopped—especially if you’re on SSDI.
5. What If SSA Decides I’m No Longer Disabled?
You’ll receive a cessation letter, which gives you 60 days to appeal. You can:
File a Request for Reconsideration (SSA-789)
Continue receiving benefits during the appeal if you request it within 10 days
Include updated medical evidence, letters from doctors, and work history
⚠️ Important: If your appeal is denied and you were paid during the appeal, you may owe SSA back pay.
💡 Appealing quickly and clearly increases your chances of keeping benefits.
6. How to Prepare for a CDR (and Protect Your Benefits)
Here’s what you can do to stay ready:
✅ Keep Good Records
Medical visits, prescriptions, diagnoses
Dates of hospital stays or ER visits
Copies of test results (MRI, blood work, etc.)
✅ Stay Within SSA Work & Income Limits
Track wages monthly
Keep pay stubs
Use SSA’s mobile app or Purple to monitor income
✅ Report All Changes
Report changes in health, address, or work to SSA within 10 days
Notify them of hospitalizations or worsening symptoms
7. How Purple Helps You Get Ready for a CDR
💜 Track Deposits and Income – Stay under SGA or resource limits
💜 Store Medical & Financial Documents – Keep everything SSA may ask for
💜 Get Alerts for SSA Deadlines – Know when reviews or redeterminations are due
💜 Tag Disability-Related Expenses – Helpful for SSA and Medicaid proof
💜 Connect to Your ABLE Account – Save and spend safely, even if you're near the SSI limit
💡 With Purple, you can be confident and organized when a CDR letter comes in the mail.
8. FAQs About Continuing Disability Reviews
⚠️ Will I definitely lose my benefits during a CDR?
No—most people pass their CDRs, especially if they are still under a doctor’s care and not working above limits.
⚠️ Do I have to go to a doctor during a CDR?
Only if SSA requests a consultative exam, which is free.
⚠️ What if I missed the deadline to respond to my CDR letter?
Contact SSA immediately. You may still be able to appeal and protect your benefits.
9. Conclusion: CDRs Are Normal—Preparation Is Power
✅ CDRs are routine, but failing to respond can risk your benefits
✅ Keep strong medical records and track your income
✅ Appeal quickly if SSA tries to stop your benefits
✅ Use Purple to stay organized, compliant, and in control
💜 Sign up for Purple to track your disability status, store key documents, and stay ready for any SSA review.