A MFR is performed to determine whether an individual continues to have a disabling impairment when:

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  an individual has completed 7 or more TWP months as of the COM; or

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  an individual has entered or will enter the EPE and/or extended Medicare eligibility period; or

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  an individual files for premium HI for the working disabled.

A MFR is not applicable if the individual is:

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  eligible for CDR protection per DI 13010.012; or

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  participating in the Ticket to Work program and has a Ticket in use (see DI 55025.001 and DI 55025.010); or

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  in the EPE or the extended Medicare period and is age 61 or older.

In these situations, the individual is considered currently disabled without a MFR and is eligible for the EPE and other work incentives.

When an MFR is applicable, determine if the individual can be found to be currently disabled. A person is considered currently disabled and eligible for the EPE and other work incentives if:

1. a. 

   A CDR was conducted within the 12-month period preceding the current MFR, or

2. b. 

   Any of the following medical criteria is met:

   • •

     The impairment is one of those listed in DI 26525.045.

   • •

     The impairment currently meets or equals a set of criteria in the Listing of Impairments.

     NOTE: Some medical listings require current, recent, or persistent symptoms or findings to support a conclusion that the Listing is met/equaled. In such a case current information would be necessary to verify that the individual's condition currently meets the listing, e.g., information on recent blood transfusions in listing 7.02A chronic anemia.

   • •

     The allowance/most recent CDR determination was based on vocational factors coupled with a medical condition which resulted from an anatomical loss, or is otherwise irreversible, and there is no material change in the individual's vocational factors. Such a person would be considered permanently impaired but not necessarily permanently disabled since a subsequent change in vocational factors could result in a finding of “not disabled.” However, in the absence of information that a change in vocational factors has occurred, the individual can be considered currently disabled.

     EXAMPLES: An example of an anatomical loss which would indicate current disability in the absence of a change in vocational factors would be the loss of a limb, e.g., leg, arm, or hand. Examples of otherwise irreversible impairments which would reflect current disability in the absence of a change in vocational factors would be deafness which is near total and is not correctable; and impaired vision which approaches statutory blindness in severity and is not correctable.

For handling MIE cases with work activity, refer to DI 40505.100.

For handling certain Title II CDR cases with title XVI involvement, refer to DI 40505.210.