The Extended Period of Eligibility

At the conclusion of the 9-month TWP (Trial Work Period), beneficiaries will immediately enter into the 36-month EPE provided that they continue to be medically eligible. The 36-month period begins in the month following the 9-month TWP whether or not individuals are determined to be earning SGA or not. 

During the EPE, any month that earnings exceed SGA, the check will stop for that month. If a person earns below SGA, they continue to receive a check for that month.

Grace Period: During or After the EPE, when a person initially earns SGA, they will enter a 3-month Grace Period. For the three grace months they will continue to receive their SSDI cash payment. Once the Grace Period is used, any month that earnings exceed SGA, the check will stop for that month.

Once the EPE is completed (including Grace Period), if a person earns SGA, he or she will not get an SSDI check. If a person then earns below SGA, either a new application must be filed or a request for Expedited Reinstatement must be filed to continue to receive an SSDI cash payment. (Expedited Reinstatement, covered later, is a Work Incentive used for both SSI and SSDI.) 

When the EPE is complete:

  • If a person is earning gross wages below SGA the SSDI benefit check continues. 
  • If a person is earning SGA or above, and the EPE is complete, a person is no longer eligible for a cash benefit (unless a subsidy can be applied or if countable earnings can be reduced below the SGA).

EPE and Self-Employment:
An individualized determination of what qualifies as SGA during the EPE will be established. The claims representative (SSDI program) who looks at hours, and income, will make this determination based on NESE (Net Earnings from Self-Employment).

Only SSA Can Calculate Net Profit and NESE but the basic calculation for NESE follows:  
Net Profit x .9235 = NESE
.9235 = 1 – .0765 
(.0765 is the employer portion of F.I.C.A.)

Worksheets

How to Determine from the BPQY if the TWP and/or EPE have been used

How to Determine from the BPQY if the TWP and/or EPE have been used

SSDI Beneficiary Work Record