Mr. Ginsberg, I was recently awarded SSDI for mental diorders. PTSD, anxiety, paranoia, and social phobia. They set me up with an 18 month review. It said they expect me to get better. I have been dealing with these issues for well over 10 years and only gotten worse. I am afraid what to expect since the SSA doc might not agree with my psych doc or my therapist. What should I expect? Thanks.
–Dennis

Jonathan Ginsberg responds: Dennis, thanks for your question. I am finding that judges frequently order 18 month reviews in cases involving younger individuals or in cases where the medical records suggest that a claimant’s functioning may improve in the future as medical levels are adjusted.

Hopefully, your capacity to function will improve – you will certainly generate more money working than from Social Security. In any case, you should continue to treat with your doctor or therapist and you should follow all treatment offered. The typical scenarios where mental health benefits are stopped include:

18 month review of treatment record shows absence of on-going treatment
non-compliance with treatment (i.e. refusal to take medicines as prescribed or refusal to participate in therapy)
evidence of alcohol or drug use
evidence of prescription drug seeking behavior
evidence of activity functioning inconsistent with total disability (i.e., enrollment in school, volunteer work)

I would not worry a lot about getting cut off in 18 months – you have successfully convinced the judge to award benefits so the burden is on SSA to cut you off. Continue to go to the doctor and follow his advice and continue to take your medications. Assuming that your medical case file does not show any significant improvement, they will not cut you off.

[tags] anxiety and social security, ptsd and social security, social phobia and social security, 18 month review, continuing disability review [/tags]