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THE CLOSED PERIODSocial Security Disability Definitions |
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THE CLOSED PERIODSocial Security Disability Definitions |
This information may help claimants with representation, as well as claimants who are not represented by an attorney or non attorney representative. Understanding how the Social Security Disability system works can make the difference between winning or not winning the continuing disability benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. To win a claim for ongoing and past due benefits, claimants should learn about the disability process to improve their chances of winning. |
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A closed period exists when a claimant for
disability benefits is found to be ineligible for
ongoing benefits, but yet eligible to
receive benefits for a period of time in the past.
Example: An Administrative Law Judge, after reviewing a claimant's medical evidence, finds that the claimant's condition has significantly improved since filing an Initial application. The claimant is subsequently denied for ongoing benefits.  The evidence, however, also verifies that the claimant met the disability criteria for an thirteen month period, prior to this improvement. As a result, the claimant is awarded past due benefits (ie backpay) for a closed period, even though ongoing benefits have been denied. Note: If the claimant's application, in this example, is for SSI, or supplemental security income, the claimant is entitled to receive the full thirteen months of benefits. Unfortunately, however, if the claimant's application is for social security disability benefits (also known as title II, SSD, SSDI, and RSDI), the claimant is then subject to the five month waiting period. In other words, the SSD claimant receives only 8 months of actual benefits despite being awarded the eleven month closed period. Social Security Disability and SSI Information |
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