Husband got SSDI Continuing Disability Review while I'm applying for benefits - need mental health documentation ASAP?

Yes, absolutely schedule that appointment ASAP! When completing a CDR for mental health conditions, recent medical evidence is critical. The SSA needs to see that he's still receiving treatment and that his condition continues to prevent work. Make sure to schedule it within the next 2-3 weeks if possible so you'll have documentation before you need to return the CDR paperwork. Also, have him write down all his symptoms and how they affect daily activities before the appointment so nothing gets forgotten.

my husband got one of those last year and we panicked too!! but it ended up being the short form review not the full medical one. check if it says "full medical review" or just asks basic questions about his condition. the short form is WAYYY easier they just rubber stamp it if nothing major changed

GET THE APPOINTMENT NOW!!! My brother lost his benefits after a review because he hadn't seen his psych doctor in over a year and they said he wasn't following prescribed treatment!!! They don't care if he's been stable - they want to see ONGOING medical evidence from a doctor who actually SAW him recently!!! This is how they cut people off!!!! And they'll say if he's stable enough to not need regular appointments then maybe he's stable enough to work!!!!

You should definitely schedule an appointment, but don't panic. Here's what you need to know about the CDR process: 1. The SSA follows a "Medical Improvement Review Standard" (MIRS), which means they need to prove his condition has improved enough to allow work, not the other way around. 2. Make sure to document ALL functional limitations in the CDR paperwork - focus on what he CANNOT do consistently, not what he occasionally manages. 3. Get statements from family members (including you) about his limitations they observe. 4. If his psychiatrist has changed, get records transferred from previous doctors. 5. The fact that he consistently takes medication works in your favor - note this on the forms. For bipolar disorder, emphasize periods of decompensation, inability to interact appropriately with others, and difficulty adapting to changes or handling workplace stressors.

have u tried calling the SSA to ask about the review? i had to do that for my dad once but it took FOREVER to get thru to anyone. kept getting busy signals for days

btw dont forget about your own application too while dealing with his!! when did u apply? brain surgeries should qualify u pretty easily i would think

To address your specific questions: 1. Yes, schedule a psychiatrist appointment as soon as possible. Even if there's been a gap in treatment, what matters most is current documentation of his ongoing condition. 2. Make sure the psychiatrist documents specifically how his bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety continue to prevent substantial gainful activity. 3. Gaps in treatment aren't ideal but aren't automatically disqualifying if he's continued medication compliance. The key is proving his condition still prevents work. 4. Ask the psychiatrist to complete a Mental Residual Functional Capacity (MRFC) form specifically addressing his limitations in workplace settings. 5. For the CDR form itself, be thorough but never exaggerate. List all treatments, medications, side effects, and limitations consistently. 6. If denied (which is unlikely with proper documentation), immediately request reconsideration and consider getting representation.

This whole system is DESIGNED to kick people off benefits!!! They KNOW most disabled people struggle to maintain perfect treatment records!! My cousin's husband has schizophrenia and they tried to terminate his benefits during a review even though he's OBVIOUSLY still disabled!!! It took them hiring a lawyer and waiting MONTHS with NO INCOME before they reinstated his benefits!!! The stress made his condition 10x worse!!!

does he take his meds regularly? make sure to mention that on the forms. my aunt says thats super important for mental health reviews

One more important tip: when completing the function report portion of the CDR, be very specific about bad days versus good days. Many people with bipolar disorder have some good days where they can function better, but what matters is consistency. Make sure to explain how many bad days he has per week/month and what those look like. SSA needs to understand that even if he can do something occasionally, he can't do it reliably enough to maintain employment. Focus on specifics like: - How often he has episodes of severe depression or mania - How long these episodes typically last - What triggers worsen his symptoms (especially work-related stressors) - How his condition affects sleep, concentration, and ability to complete tasks - Specific examples of difficulties with social interactions This level of detail helps paint an accurate picture of why he remains unable to work despite medication compliance.

I went through a similar CDR situation with my wife who has bipolar disorder. Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. Don't panic about the 9-month gap - what matters more is that he's been medication compliant and his condition hasn't actually improved. 2. When you get that psychiatrist appointment, bring a detailed list of his current symptoms and limitations. I made the mistake of assuming the doctor would remember everything from previous visits. 3. Ask the psychiatrist to specifically address in their notes how his bipolar disorder, depression, and social anxiety continue to prevent him from maintaining any type of employment - even sedentary work. 4. For the CDR paperwork, I found it helpful to keep a daily log for about 2 weeks before submitting, tracking his mood episodes, anxiety levels, and what he was/wasn't able to accomplish each day. This gave me concrete examples to reference. 5. Don't forget to mention medication side effects if he has any - drowsiness, brain fog, etc. can also impact work capacity. The good news is that severe bipolar disorder with major depression is typically considered a condition where medical improvement is less likely. Stay focused on documenting his ongoing limitations rather than worrying about the review process itself. You've got this!

I'm going through something similar right now - my CDR just came in last month and I was terrified too. Here's what I wish someone had told me: the gap in treatment isn't ideal, but it's not automatically a death sentence for his benefits. What saved me was being extremely thorough in documenting how my condition still affects my daily life, even when I'm "stable" on medication. A few practical tips from my experience: - When you call to schedule that psych appointment, explain it's urgent due to a CDR - many offices will try to squeeze you in sooner - Ask his pharmacy for a medication compliance report showing he's been consistently filling prescriptions - Have him start writing down his symptoms and limitations NOW, while you're waiting for the appointment - memory can be fuzzy when you're stressed - If he's had any ER visits, hospitalizations, or crisis situations in the past few years, make sure those are included in the medical records The most important thing is showing that even though he takes his medication religiously, he still has significant functional limitations that prevent consistent work. Bipolar disorder doesn't just disappear because someone is medication compliant - it requires ongoing management and still causes unpredictable episodes that would make maintaining employment impossible. You're doing the right thing by acting quickly. Try not to spiral too much - focus on gathering the documentation they need to see his ongoing disability.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of your own health issues! One thing that helped me during my husband's CDR was creating a comprehensive timeline document before the psychiatrist appointment. I listed: - All medications he's currently taking (with dosages and how long he's been on each) - Any dosage changes in the past year - Specific episodes or difficult periods he's had recently - How his conditions affect daily activities (showering, grocery shopping, social situations, etc.) - Any triggers that make symptoms worse Having this organized beforehand made the appointment much more productive, and the psychiatrist was able to write a more detailed assessment. Also, if his previous psychiatrist retired, try to get those records transferred ASAP - continuity of care documentation can be really valuable even with the gap. The fact that he's been medication compliant this whole time actually works in your favor - it shows he's actively managing his condition, not ignoring it. You're handling this exactly right by getting current documentation. Wishing you both the best outcome!