In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you have a disability. However, there are circumstances that may affect your continuing eligibility for disability benefits. For example, your health may improve or you may go back to work.
The law requires that Social Security review your case from time to time to verify that you still have a disability. We will tell you when it is time to review your medical condition and keep you informed about your benefit status. Generally, if your health hasn't improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you'll continue to receive your benefits.
You are responsible for letting us know whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits. For example, if your health improves or you go back to work or become self-employed. For more information on what you must report to us, refer to What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits.
In general, your benefits will continue if you still have a disability that prevents you from working. Any person who receives disability benefits must have their medical conditions reviewed. How often we review your medical condition depends on whether your condition is likely to improve. We call this review a Continuing Disability Review (CDR).
If medical improvement is:
Your initial award notice will tell you when you can expect your 1 st medical review.
If you get disability benefits you can complete and submit the Medical Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454) online. The online option is available to any adult who receives Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, or both, and who does not have a representative payee. To complete the form online, sign in to your personal my Social Security account and select "Complete Your Continuing Disability Review". If you do not have an account, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to get started.
Two things can cause us to suspend or stop your benefits:
Remember, you are responsible for promptly reporting any improvement in your condition, or if you return to work. The booklet we send you when your application is approved explains what you need to report to us. For more information on what else may cause your benefits to stop, refer to How We Decide if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability.
There are special rules that help you keep your benefit payments and Medicare while you test your ability to work. We call these rules "work incentives." For more information about Social Security work incentives, read The Red Book and Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.