Disability Update Report

Form SSA-455, the Disability Update Report, is the short mailer SSA uses to conduct low-intensity continuing disability reviews for beneficiaries whose medical improvement is considered less likely. Instead of a full medical review, the two-page form asks a handful of questions covering roughly the last two years: whether you have worked and what you earned, whether your health is better, the same, or worse, whether your doctor has said you can work, whether you have attended school or training, and which providers have treated you and when. SSA scores the answers to decide whether to simply set a new review date, which is the outcome for most people, or to refer the case for a full medical continuing disability review on form SSA-454.

Complete and return the SSA-455 promptly when it arrives, either on paper in the postage-paid envelope or online at ssa.gov where offered; ignoring the mailer is the worst option, because non-response can trigger a full medical review or even suspension of benefits. Answer briefly and truthfully. Report any work and earnings accurately, since SSA can verify wages, and describe your health status realistically; if you have good and bad days, it is accurate for most beneficiaries with chronic conditions to say their health is the same or worse rather than better. List your doctors and recent visit dates, which shows ongoing treatment. Keep a copy of what you send. If you receive the long-form SSA-454 instead, take it seriously and consider getting help, because that form initiates a full medical review of your continued eligibility.