What is a Closed Period of Social Security Disability Benefits?

If you have applied for disability benefits and returned to work at some point while you were waiting to be approved, you may have heard of the term “closed period.” A closed period means that there is a start and an end date for your disability benefits, with the end date typically related to your return to work. 

When you initially applied for disability benefits, it was likely that you thought your condition was going to be permanent, but were hoping for the best and that you would someday be able to return to work. At some point during the several years you were waiting for disability benefits, you were able to rehabilitate yourself to a point where you may be able to return to work on at least a part-time basis of 20 hours per week or more, for several months.

Such rehabilitation does not mean that your claim for disability benefits is necessarily going to be denied. Instead, what the Social Security Administration may be able to do is approve you for benefits for the period of time you were disabled and unable to work. This is known as a closed period.

A closed period means that Social Security did find you to be disabled at one point, but that the disability has ended. While such a decision does not allow you to receive regular and ongoing monthly checks, you may wind up receiving thousands of dollars in back due benefits for the period in which you were found to be disabled and unable to engage in substantial gainful activity.

In order to receive a favorable decision for a closed period, it is important that you have objective medical records showing the severity of your condition during the time period you were unable to engage in substantial gainful activity.

If you have an open application for disability benefits, but have had your condition improve, contact an attorney today to see if you may qualify for disability benefits based on a closed period.