TN 2 (05-22)

DI 55050.010 Handling General Questions About Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) And Ticket Use

A. Answer General CDR And Ticket Use Questions

Field components should answer general questions about CDRs and ticket use issues and refer more complex questions about progress reviews or in-use status to the Ticket Program Manager (TPM). See DI 55050.025A.

B. Examples Of General CDR And Ticket Use Questions

1. Will SSA do a medical CDR on my disability once I have a ticket?

It depends. Just having a ticket will not prevent SSA from beginning a medical CDR. However, if you are “using your ticket,” then SSA will not begin a medical CDR on your disability (see DI 55025.001A).

2. What does the term “using a ticket” mean?

Using a ticket means you have assigned your ticket and are making timely progress toward self-supporting employment (see DI 55025.001B.3 and DI 55025.025).

3. What does the term “timely progress toward self-supporting employment” mean?

Timely progress toward self-supporting employment means you are showing an increasing ability to work at levels that will reduce or eliminate your dependence on the benefits you receive from SSA (see DI 55025.025).

4. Do I have to start working at once to be making timely progress toward self-supporting employment?

No, we do not expect you to begin working immediately. During the first 24 months after you have assigned your ticket, you must follow the plan that you signed with your EN (or State Vocational Rehabilitation

(VR) agency). After that, there are prescribed work requirements, requiring progressively higher levels of employment, that you need to meet within specific time frames.

NOTE: 

Refer to the chart in DI 55025.025C, if the beneficiary/recipient has specific questions about these employment levels.

5. Who decides if I am making timely progress toward self-supporting employment?

Your EN (or State VR agency) will monitor your progress. Then, our TPM will conduct your progress review (see DI 55025.001B.3 and DI 55025.025C).

6. If SSA begins a medical CDR on my disability and then I start using my ticket, will SSA stop doing its review?

No. The special CDR exemption applies only when you begin using your ticket on or before the date SSA initiates the medical CDR (see DI 55025.001A).

7. I'm a title II beneficiary. If I begin using my ticket, get a job, and complete my trial work period (TWP), am I exempt from having a work review?

No. The special CDR exemption applies to the medical reviews that SSA does to determine if your medical condition has improved. It does not apply to the work reviews that SSA does after beneficiaries complete their TWPs (see DI 55025.001A). Cash benefits are still subject to suspension if work or earnings are substantial.

8. I've assigned my ticket. Can you tell me if I am now protected from having a medical CDR?

Follow the instructions in DI 55025.001C.1 to answer this question.

9. I assigned my ticket to an EN and am making progress in my plan. Why did I get a notice that SSA plans to conduct a medical CDR?

Follow the instructions in DI 55025.010A to determine whether to continue or close out the CDR.

 


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0455050010
DI 55050.010 - Handling General Questions About Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) And Ticket Use - 05/02/2022
Batch run: 05/02/2022
Rev:05/02/2022