Appealing Your CDR Medical Cessation Decision
Also called: SSA-789, Request for Reconsideration Disability Cessation, CDR medical cessation appeal, disability hearing officer reconsideration
Last reviewed 2026-07-23
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What this notice usually means
A Continuing Disability Review checks if your medical condition still counts as a disability. People call this a CDR. If the review finds you no longer qualify, Social Security sends a cessation notice. This notice explains why. It also gives you the right to appeal. The first appeal step is called reconsideration. Most reconsiderations are on paper only. A medical cessation reconsideration is different. You get the right to an in person hearing. A disability hearing officer runs this hearing. This person did not work on your first decision. You can bring proof. You can bring witnesses. You can look at your file before the decision. Two deadlines start on the day you get the notice. You have 10 days to also ask for continued payments. You have 60 days to file the appeal itself, using Form SSA-789 or a written letter. Missing the 10 day mark does not end your 60 day right. If you choose continued payments and lose later, you may owe that money back. Medicare money is not owed back. You can ask for a waiver of what you owe. SSA decides your case.
See every source line for this notice
“We will provide you with an opportunity for a disability hearing if: (1) You have been receiving benefits based on a medical impairment that renders you disabled; (2) We have made an initial or revised determination based on medical factors that you are not now disabled because your impairment: (i) Has ceased; (ii) Did not exist; or (iii) Is no longer disabling; and (3) You make a timely request for reconsideration of the initial or revised determination.”
“Your disability hearing will be conducted by a disability hearing officer who was not involved in making the determination you are appealing.”
“You or your representative may review the evidence in your case file, either on the date of your hearing or at an earlier time at your request, and present additional evidence; (4) You may present witnesses and question any witnesses at the hearing”
“You may write to us or complete a Form SSA-789 (Request for Reconsideration Disability Cessation) .”
“If the final decision of the Commissioner affirms the determination that you are not entitled to benefits, you will be asked to pay back any continued benefits you receive. However, as described in the overpayment recovery and waiver provisions of subpart F of this part , you will have the right to ask that you not be required to pay back the benefits.”
“You will not be asked to pay back any Medicare benefits you received during the appeal.”
What to do now
- 1
Know the two deadlines
Two clocks start when you receive your cessation notice. You have 10 days to also ask for continued payments. You have 60 days to file the reconsideration itself. Missing the 10 day mark does not end your right to appeal within 60 days.
- 2
Decide about continued payments
Continuing your checks during the appeal is a choice, not automatic. If you lose the appeal, you may have to repay the cash benefits, though not Medicare. You can ask for a waiver of that repayment.
- 3
File Form SSA-789 in writing
Fill out Form SSA-789, or write to SSA and ask for reconsideration. Mark the continued payments option if you want your checks to keep coming during the review.
- 4
Prepare for a disability hearing
Your reconsideration includes an in person disability hearing. A hearing officer runs it. This person did not work on your first decision. You can bring records. You can bring witnesses. You can look at your file before the hearing.
- 5
Get help if you are unsure
Call Social Security. The number is 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. A local legal aid group can help for free. A disability advocate can help too.
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Deadline
Two deadlines run from the date you receive your cessation notice. You have 10 days to also ask that payments continue during your appeal. You have 60 days to file the reconsideration itself. These are separate clocks. Missing the 10 day mark does not end your right to file within 60 days. Your own notice has the real dates.
“you must request reconsideration and continuation of benefits no later than 10 days after the date you receive the notice of our initial determination that your physical or mental impairment(s) has ceased, has never existed, or is no longer disabling”
“Within 60 days after the date you receive notice of the initial determination”
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Sources
- 20 CFR 404.1597a, eCFR (ecfr.gov) - Continued benefits pending appeal of a medical cessation determinationRetrieved 2026-07-18
- 20 CFR 404.909, eCFR (ecfr.gov) - How to request reconsiderationRetrieved 2026-07-18
- 20 CFR 404.914, eCFR (ecfr.gov) - Disability hearing, generalRetrieved 2026-07-18
- 20 CFR 404.915, eCFR (ecfr.gov) - Disability hearing, disability hearing officersRetrieved 2026-07-18
- 20 CFR 404.916, eCFR (ecfr.gov) - Disability hearing, proceduresRetrieved 2026-07-18
- Social Security Administration (ssa.gov) - Understanding SSI, Appeals ProcessRetrieved 2026-07-18
Last reviewed 2026-07-23
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