Extended Period of
Eligibility (EPE):
After you have
completed the Trial
Work period, you
will enter into
another work
incentive timeline
called the
Extended Period of
Eligibility
. This work
incentive timeline
allows for 36
consecutive months
of continued
eligibility
of Social Security
benefits while you
work. During the
Extended Period of
Eligibility, you are
eligible to receive
your full benefit
check in the months
that you do not earn
Substantial Gainful
Activity (SGA).
How it Helps You:
The Extended Period
of Eligibility is an
additional three
years (36 months) of
protection for your
SSDI benefit check.
It begins the month
after your Trial
Work Period ends and
continues for the
next 36 months,
whether you are
working or not
working.
How it Works:
During the three
years of EPE, you
must carefully track
your earnings and
report them to the
Social Security
Administration (SSA).
They will be
evaluating whether
your
gross earnings
(earnings before
taxes are deducted)
are above
Substantial Gainful
Activity (SGA).
The first month your
gross monthly
earnings are over
SGA you will receive
your SSDI benefit
check for that month
and two more months.
These months are
called the
Grace Period.
During the remainder
of the 36 months,
you will be entitled
to your SSDI check
when you are unable
to work, or when
your gross wages are
below Substantial
Gainful Activity.
The Substantial
Gainful Activity
Amount changes
annually, so it is
important to keep
updated on the SGA
earnings limits. In
2012, SGA is $1010
per month. For
individuals whose
primary disability
on record with SSA
is blindness, the
2012 SGA amount is
$1,690 per month.
But remember, no
matter how much you
are earning, if your
disability causes
you to either stop
working or reduce
your earnings below
SGA during the EPE,
your benefit check
will start again
during the 36 months
of EPE when you
notify your local
Social Security
Office of the change
in your wages.
After your 36 month
EPE timeline is
over, you will need
to continue to track
your earnings and
report these to SSA.
They will be
evaluating your work
activity, earnings,
and other work
incentives that may
be applicable to
you. If you are
consistently able to
earn over SGA
following the 36
month EPE timeline,
your SSDI
eligibility will
end.
