Why Does the SSA Conduct Disability Reviews?

The SSA conducts disability reviews to:

• Confirm that your medical condition still prevents you from working
• Determine if your health has improved enough for you to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA)

How Often Are Disability Reviews Conducted?

The frequency of your review depends on the severity of your condition and the likelihood of improvement:

• Medical Improvement Expected (MIE): Review every 6 to 18 months
• Medical Improvement Possible (MIP): Review approximately every 3 years
• Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE): Review approximately every 5 to 7 years

Your case category is assigned when your benefits are first approved.

What Happens During a Disability Review?

1. Receiving a Review Notice

You will receive a notice from SSA indicating your case is under review. This notice includes forms asking for updates about your:

• Medical treatments and doctor visits
• Daily activities and limitations
• Work status since your last review

2. Completing Disability Review Forms

Depending on your case, SSA may send you:

• Short Form (SSA-455 Disability Update Report): For routine updates when improvement is not expected
• Long Form (SSA-454 Continuing Disability Review Report): Requires detailed information about your condition, treatment, and work activity since your last review

3. Providing Updated Medical Evidence

During your review, SSA will:

• Request updated medical records from your doctors and specialists
• Review test results, treatment notes, and assessments from your physicians
• Schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with an SSA-appointed doctor if they need more information about your condition

4. Evaluating Your Work Activity

SSA will check:

• Whether you have returned to work
• If your earnings exceed the SGA limit, which in 2025 is $1,550 per month ($2,590 if blind)

Possible Outcomes of a Disability Review

After reviewing your case, SSA will make one of two decisions:

• Benefits Continue: If your condition still meets SSA’s definition of disability, your benefits will continue.
• Benefits Terminated: If SSA finds your condition has improved enough for you to work, your benefits may end. You will receive a notice explaining this decision and your right to appeal.

What to Do If Your Benefits Are Terminated

If SSA decides to end your benefits and you disagree:

• File an appeal within 60 days of receiving your termination notice
• Request continuation of benefits during your appeal, but this request must be made within 10 days of receiving the notice