Anyone who’s had to apply for disability benefits can tell you that the process is extremely difficult. Even after you’ve been approved for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can review your condition at regular intervals, depending on the categories under which your condition falls. Categories are decided on according to the likelihood of medical improvement. Currently, there are three categories:
- Medical Improvement Expected, or MIE, designates conditions for which medical improvement is typical. Evaluations for MIE conditions are performed every 6 to 18 months.
- Medical Improvement Possible, or MIP, designates conditions for which recovery is possible, but not certain. MIP conditions are evaluated every three years.
- Medical Improvement Not Expected, or MINE, designates the most severe conditions. MINE conditions are evaluated every seven years.
Late last year, the Trump Administration proposed a new disability review category called “Medical Improvement Likely.” MIL conditions would fall in-between Medical Improvement Expected and Medical Improvement Possible conditions in severity and would be evaluated every two years.
If this new category is approved, it’s possible that nearly four and a half million Social Security recipients will be affected. It’s estimated that the SSA would need to perform over two and a half million additional reviews over the next ten years.
For current and future recipients of Social Security benefits, this change could be impactful. It’s important to know how it might impact you and your benefits.
During the every-two-year MIL reviews, claimants will be required to submit two forms. One form is small, but the other can reach up to fifteen pages. Maintaining regular doctor’s appointments is vital, as your doctor will need to submit a form to the SSA documenting your health and prognosis.
A similar cut to Social Security disability was passed in the 1980s, resulting in a loss of benefits for roughly 200,000 claimants. This was quickly revoked, and new legislation was passed, which has remained in effect.
If you are for or against this change to the SSA and SSA processes, contact your local representative. Unsure who that is or how to do that? Follow this link: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
If you have questions about your Social Security benefits, contact Molly Burke Law Office today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation!