New Social Security Rule Could Affect Millions—Here’s What to Know

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced upcoming changes to one of the ways they decide if someone gets or can keep their disability benefits. The reason? To improve accountability and speed up decisions, but experts are warning that even with this new system, “The underlying problem hasn’t changed,” meaning applicants might not even feel the effects. We share everything you need to know about this change below. 

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What to know about the new Social Security rule 

Currently, in order to get approved for disability payments, one must have a severe, long-term medical condition or injury that prevents them from returning to a job or starting a new one. 

Applicants must also have enough work credits. The requirement varies by age: People 24 and younger need six credits. People ages 24 and 31 need to have worked for at least half the time between their 21st birthday and when their disability began. For example, if someone became disabled at age 27, that’s six years since they turned 21—so they’d need at least three years of work credits. Finally, people 31 and older need at least 20 credits earned within the 10 years before their disability began. 

What’s more, applicants must also undergo Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)—a series of tests that determine if the person applying is still eligible for disability pay. These assessments are normally conducted by the state every 6 to 19 months, but under a new rule that is all changing. 

On Thursday, March 12, SSA announced that under the new Disability Case Review (DCR) program, CDRs will now be handled at a national level instead of by the individual state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) program. The shift from state to federal processing is expected to significantly speed up review times for applicants, resulting in less waiting and less worrying. 

“By centralizing medical continuing disability reviews under Social Security, we are taking another important step towards operational excellence, reducing improper payments, and providing best-in-class service to Americans in critical need of support,” SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in a statement. “With complete ownership and accountability of CDRs and the proven track record of our DCR, our state disability determination service partners will be able to focus on the adjudication of initial disability claims and reconsideration cases, provide eligible individuals with expedited access to benefits, and further reduce initial disability claims backlogs, which are already reaching historic lows.”

According to the press release, the SSA will also ease the pressure on state offices to conduct these reviews, so they can focus more on processing initial disability claims. 

But experts aren’t convinced these changes will actually speed things up. One reason? Social Security offices faced major budget cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), leading to fewer staff members and reduced operating hours. 

“The underlying problem hasn’t changed. Much of the backlog was created by staff attrition, and with additional DOGE cuts and reductions in force, the system remains stretched,” Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. “For beneficiaries, that likely means more initial denials and a longer fight to receive benefits, even as the agency reports improved efficiency.” 

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When will the new Social Security rule take effect? 

As of publication, it is believed that the new CDR rule will take effect immediately. “For beneficiaries, the biggest impact is mostly behind the scenes,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. “Disability reviews will still happen, but SSA says state offices should now have more room to speed up initial claims and reconsideration cases for people waiting on decisions. The key thing to know is that this does not end eligibility reviews, so people receiving benefits should still respond quickly to SSA notices and keep their medical and contact information current.”

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