What is a review?

[Lisa2You]

Sorry if I'm monopolizing the board here; I'm just trying to educate myself as this is all new to me. In several responses, I've read people talk about a "full-blown" review. What does that mean?

I haven't yet received my first monthly check, but as I understand it, I can expect my first review at three years. In my first review, will they do the same thing as with the first, getting letters from my doctors and so forth. And what is the difference between a "review" and a "full blown review"? Do you need an attorney for a full blown one?

Thanks for your patience! ~L

[teamRN]

Lisa, On the paper you got from the judge or when your application for benefits was there something stamped "Fully favorable" or "total disability?"

I think my paper (years ago) was stamped "Fully Favorable." I was expecting a 'review' at three years, wasn't looking forward to it and even got paperwork.

However, shortly after I submitted my paperwork, I received a letter from Social Security to disregard the paperwork. That was a year ago and I've been getting my benefits. Then it dawned on me that I had a "Fully Favorable" stamp on my paper.

I called Social Security to find out when/ OR IF my case was going to be reviewed and the individual I spoke with said that they had no way of knowing when cases would be reviewed; nor did any other department know. (I found this strange; it would seem a simple computer program issue.

Anyway, I've not heard anything more from SS and wonder if that "fully favorable" meant that the only info I'll hear from them again are routine updates; however, in these financial times, I wouldn't be surprised to hear other things from them.

I'm hoping this helped; I know that when my case was finally determined, I wanted to know EVERYTHING; it's a 'uncertainty' when you can't find if there's a review or WHEN it's going to be, or how it's conducted. Maybe someone else knows mores.

Annie ;)

[Lisa2You]

Thanks Annie!

[FormerDE]

I haven't yet received my first monthly check, but as I understand it, I can expect my first review at three years. In my first review, will they do the same thing as with the first, getting letters from my doctors and so forth. And what is the difference between a "review" and a "full blown review"? Do you need an attorney for a full blown one?

Thanks for your patience! ~L

Your first review may simply be a short questionnaire mailed to you that is used as a screening device to see whether a fuller medical review is needed. If you fill that short two-page form out, send it in, and SSA determines that there is unlikely to have been medical improvement based on your answers on the form and the nature of your disability, then no further action is taken by SSA except to notify you that no further review will be done at this time (in other words, a full review has been deferred for another 3 or 7 years).

If SSA does decide after short-form review that that a fuller review is warranted, you will be asked to fill out additional, lengthier forms, and SSA will want to secure current medical records from your treating doctors to make their decision. This process is "full-blown" in that SSA tries to secure all current, relevant medical evidence by your doctors, and may even schedule an exam with one of SSA's doctors if they feel such an exam is necessary.

Securing an attorney for the full medical review if such occurs in your case is not required. The vast majority of claimants do not involve an attorney for the initial full review. Some claimants do hire an attorney if a continuance is not forthcoming from the initial medical decision. You would have rights to both a reconsideration decision as well as to an ALJ hearing if your recon goes against you. If you get to the ALJ hearing stage without a continuance, then hiring an attorney is probably advisable.

Former DE