Social Security Administration to shift disability reviews to new federal unit

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing changes to its Continuing Disability Review (CDR) process. In March 2026, the agency announced it would transition medical CDRs from state offices to a new federal unit known as Disability Case Review.

These periodic reviews are used to determine if a recipient's medical condition still qualifies them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Review intervals vary based on the expected duration of a condition, ranging from every 6 to 18 months for conditions expected to improve, to every 5 to 7 years for those not expected to improve.

Legal experts note that these reviews can catch recipients off guard, potentially leading to the loss of benefits if the individual is unprepared to demonstrate continued disability.