Ohio residents who are receiving Social Security disability benefits need to be aware that the idea behind the program is not that they will be provided to forever in many cases. The Social Security Administration will conduct periodic reviews to make sure that those receiving benefits still warrant them. Knowing how this works and what to do if there is a disagreement in the assessment made by the SSA is a key before, during and after the review is conducted.
With a review, the benefits are likely to continue unless it is shown that the person's condition has shown improvement and it is possible to get back to work. The severity of the condition and whether or not it is likely to improve will be the determinative factors in how often the review is done. When the notice of award arrives, it will inform a claimant when the first review will be. If the condition is expected to improve within a certain amount of time, the initial review will be done between six and 18 months after the benefits commenced. If improvement is a possibility, the case will be under review every three years. If there is no improvement expected, the case will be reviewed once over five to seven years.
In a review, the file and medical records will be reviewed by a disability examiner and a doctor. If there is a special examination needed, the SSA will pay for it as well as some of the transportation costs. Once the decision is made, there will be a letter sent. If the decision is made that there is still disability, the benefits will continue. If the claimant is deemed to be no longer disabled, the benefits will stop three months after. It is possible to file an appeal if there is a disagreement with the stoppage of benefits.
Those who are receiving SSD benefits and are concerned about the medical requirements when there is a disability review need to have a grasp of the way the SSA deals with this situation. It is especially important to have legal help if there is a stoppage to the benefits. Discussing the matter with a legal professional is imperative.
Source: ssa.gov, "What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits, pages 19-20," accessed on Oct. 18, 2015
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