Continuing Disability Review (CDR)

A Continuing Disability Review, or CDR, is a periodic review in which the SSA evaluates whether an individual currently receiving benefits is still deemed disabled under its rules. If you’re wondering about what CDR means in the context of Social Security, it simply refers to this periodic check-in process the SSA uses to confirm you still meet their disability criteria. SSA is required by law to perform a review depending on the nature of the impairment, every 3 to 7 years. But in reality, the frequency of these reviews will vary from recipient to recipient due to the SSA’s backlog. If someone is receiving disability for an ailment that is expected to improve, then their CDR may come before 3 years. On the other hand, if it‘s an ailment that’s permanent or not expected to improve, CDRs could occur about every 7 years or longer.

This review will not only examine the state of your disability, but it will also take a close look at your income, accommodations, and other resources. This is to ensure that you’re still meeting all the non-medical requirements that come with disability benefits.

The CDR process works differently for children. Generally, they will still occur with the same frequency, but, for instance, if a child is determined to be disabled based on low birth weight, then SSA will usually do a CDR by age one, and once the child turns 18, their status will be automatically reviewed to see if they qualify for disability benefits as an adult.