The Disability Update Report is a document Social Security sends to people on SSDI or SSI to confirm their current disability status

Social Security calls this form a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) notice, though you may also hear it called a disability update report or medical review. It arrives in the mail and asks you to provide current medical evidence—test results, doctor's notes, treatment records—so Social Security can decide whether your condition still meets the definition of disability under their rules.

You do not choose when to send this report. Social Security decides based on how likely your condition is to improve. Someone with a condition expected to improve gets reviewed more often (sometimes every one to three years). Someone with a condition unlikely to change gets reviewed less often (sometimes every five to seven years). A small number of people with permanent conditions may be reviewed only once every ten years or never again, though this is rare.

The report itself is not a form you fill out and mail back. Instead, you gather medical records and either mail them to the address on the notice, upload them through your my Social Security account online, or bring them to your local Social Security office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security sends a Continuing Disability Review notice when they want to check whether your disability still qualifies you for benefits.
  • You must respond within the important date on the notice—usually 10 days to request an extension—or your benefits may stop.
  • You need recent medical records from your doctors, not a written statement from you; Social Security wants evidence from the people treating you.
  • If Social Security decides your condition has improved enough that you no longer meet disability rules, they will send a separate notice explaining the decision and your right to appeal.
  • Work activity, earnings, and medical improvement are the three main reasons Social Security may decide to stop your benefits after a review.

When and Why Social Security Sends a Disability Update Report

Social Security does not send these notices randomly. The agency uses a formula based on your diagnosis, age, and the likelihood that your condition will improve. A 28-year-old with a back injury gets reviewed more often than a 62-year-old with advanced Parkinson's disease, because back injuries are more likely to improve with time and treatment.

You may also receive a notice if Social Security learns that you are working or earning above certain thresholds. If you report work activity on your annual report or if Social Security discovers it through other means, they may send a review to check whether your earnings mean you no longer have a disability or whether you are using a work incentive program correctly.

The notice will tell you the reason for the review and the important date to respond. Read the important date carefully. You usually have 10 days from the date on the notice to either submit your medical records or request an extension. If you do not respond by the important date and do not request more time, Social Security will assume you cannot be reached and may stop your benefits.

What Medical Records You Need to Gather

Social Security wants records from the doctors and clinics treating you, not a letter from you explaining your condition. The agency has specific rules about what counts as acceptable medical evidence. Records must come from a medical source—a licensed physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who has examined you or reviewed your case.

Gather records from the past 12 months if possible, though Social Security will accept older records if they are still relevant. Include test results (X-rays, MRIs, blood work), visit notes from your doctor, treatment summaries, medication lists, and any reports from specialists. If you have been hospitalized or had surgery, include discharge summaries. If you see a mental health provider, include their notes on your symptoms and how they affect your ability to work.

Do not send original documents. Make copies and keep the originals for your own records. If you do not have copies, ask your doctor's office to send them directly to Social Security. Many offices will do this for free or a small fee. Include a cover letter with your name, Social Security number, and the date of the notice so Social Security knows which case the records belong to.

How to Submit Your Records

You have three ways to send your medical records to Social Security. The fastest is usually your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. Log in, go to the message center, and look for the review notice. Many notices now have an upload option right in the message. You can scan documents and upload them directly, and Social Security will receive them when ready.

If you do not have an online account or prefer to mail records, send them to the address listed on your notice. Write your name and Social Security number on the envelope and on a cover letter inside. Mail takes one to two weeks to arrive, so send it early if your important date is approaching.

You can also bring records in person to your local Social Security office. Call ahead to make sure someone will be there to accept them. Bring the original notice and copies of your records. Ask for a receipt showing what you submitted and the date, so you have proof of delivery.

What Happens After You Submit Your Records

Social Security sends your records to a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state. A medical or vocational informed reviews them and decides whether your condition still meets the disability definition. This process usually takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more information or if your case is complex.

You will receive a notice in the mail explaining the decision. If Social Security finds that your condition still qualifies you for benefits, your case closes and you continue receiving payments. Your next review date will be set based on the likelihood your condition will improve.

If Social Security decides your condition has improved and you no longer meet the disability definition, they will send a notice explaining the decision, the medical evidence they used, and your right to appeal. Your benefits will not stop when ready. You have the right to request reconsideration, and your benefits continue while you appeal.

What Triggers a Decision to Stop Benefits

Social Security stops benefits for three main reasons: medical improvement, work activity above the substantial gainful activity level, or failure to respond to the review notice.

Medical improvement means your condition has gotten better enough that you can now work. Social Security must show that your condition has actually improved, not just that you are managing it better with medication or treatment. If you have the same diagnosis but are functioning better, that alone is not enough to stop benefits.

Work activity is the second reason. If you earn more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount—which changes each year and is currently around $1,550 per month for non-blind adults—Social Security may decide you are no longer disabled. However, if you are using a work incentive program like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) or Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), your countable earnings may be lower, and your benefits may continue.

If you do not respond to the notice and do not request an extension, Social Security will assume you cannot be reached and will stop your benefits. This is called a failure to cooperate termination. You can appeal this decision, and if you show good cause for not responding—such as a medical emergency or not receiving the notice—Social Security may restart your benefits.

Your Right to Appeal a Decision

If Social Security decides to stop your benefits, you have the right to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration. During the appeal, your benefits continue, so you do not lose income while the case is being reviewed.

You can request reconsideration by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local office, or submitting a written request. Include your name, Social Security number, and the date of the notice you are appealing. You can submit new medical records with your appeal if your condition has changed or if you have new evidence that was not available during the first review.

If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This process takes longer—usually several months—but your benefits continue while you wait. At a hearing, you can present evidence, call witnesses, and explain why you believe you still meet the disability definition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the important date on the notice?

Call Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213 and explain why you missed it. If you have good cause—illness, not receiving the notice, a family emergency—Social Security may give you more time. If you do not respond and do not request an extension, your benefits will stop, but you can appeal the termination.

Do I have to see a new doctor to get records for the review?

No. Use records from the doctors who are already treating you. If you have not seen a doctor in over a year, Social Security may ask you to get a current exam, but they will tell you that in the notice. Do not wait for them to ask—staying in treatment strengthens your case.

Can I work while my disability review is pending?

Yes. Your benefits continue while Social Security reviews your case. If you are working, report your earnings on your annual report and explain any work incentives you are using. Work activity alone does not automatically stop your benefits if your earnings are below the substantial gainful activity level.

What if my medical records show I am doing better?

Doing better does not automatically mean you no longer meet the disability definition. Social Security must show that your condition has improved enough that you can work full-time at the substantial gainful activity level. If you still cannot work because of your condition, even though you are managing it better, you may still may have access to for benefits.

Can I get a lawyer to help with my review?

Yes. You can hire a disability lawyer or representative at any stage, including during the initial review. Many lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win an appeal. You can find lawyers through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or your state bar association.