How to Get an Expedited Reinstatement of Your SSDI Benefits

Takeaways

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance to individuals unable to work because of a severe, long-term disability.

• Under certain circumstances, Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) allows former SSDI recipients to restart benefits without reapplying.

Some people have to leave the workforce or curtail their work hours because of a disability. These individuals may be eligible for disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Since not all disabilities are permanent, some people are able to return to work and no longer need SSDI. But what happens if a person’s disability returns or worsens and, again, prevents them from working? In such cases, a person may be able to get an expedited reinstatement of their SSDI benefits.

What Is SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe, long-term disability. Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), SSDI is not needs-based like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits; rather, it is based on a person’s work history and payroll tax contributions.

Who Is Eligible for SSDI?

To qualify for SSDI, an individual must meet certain criteria.

Work History and Contributions

The person must have sufficient work history in jobs covered by Social Security and have paid Social Security taxes in accordance with the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Generally, they have to have worked for at least five of the previous 10 years to qualify. Younger individuals may qualify with less work history.

Medical Disability

The individual must be blind or have a disability that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death.

Disability Approval Process

The SSA uses different criteria to determine eligibility, including whether the person can do past relevant work or any other work. This includes evaluating medical records, work limitations, and functional capacity.

When Do SSDI Benefits Stop?

SSDI benefits are not necessarily permanent. Benefits may stop for several reasons, including:

• Return to Substantial Gainful Activity. If the SSDI recipient begins earning more than a certain amount per month, they may be considered able to work and thus no longer eligible for benefits. For 2025, average earnings of $1,620 per month for nonblind individuals and $2,700 per month for blind individuals is considered the limit.
• Medical Improvement. SSA periodically reviews cases through a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). If the person’s medical condition improves to the point where they are no longer disabled, benefits will stop.
• Retirement Age. SSDI automatically converts to regular Social Security retirement benefits when the individual reaches full retirement age.
• Incarceration. Being convicted of a crime and incarcerated for more than 30 days can lead to suspension or termination of SSDI benefits.

What Is Expedited Reinstatement?

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) is a safety net for individuals who previously received SSDI benefits, returned to work, and later became unable to work again due to the same disability or a related disability. EXR allows former SSDI recipients to have their benefits restarted without having to start the application process from scratch.

Eligibility for EXR

An individual may qualify for expedited reinstatement of SSDI benefits if they:

• Stopped receiving benefits because of earnings from work,
• Are unable to work or perform substantial gainful activity,
• Are disabled due to an impairment(s) that is the same as or related to the impairment(s) that allowed them to get their previous benefits, and
• Make the request within five years from the month their benefits ended.

How the EXR Process Works

To get SSDI payments reinstated, an individual needs to file a request for EXR using SSA’s Form SSA-371. While SSA reviews the case, the individual may be able to receive up to six months of provisional (temporary) benefits. This may include cash benefits and Medicare coverage (if previously entitled). If the EXR request is denied, the provisional benefits generally do not have to be repaid (unless obtained fraudulently).

If the SSA approves the EXR request, the individual enters an initial reinstatement period (IRP). During this period, the person can receive up to 24 months of disability payments for months in which their earnings fall below the income limits. The months don’t need to be consecutive; income for some months can exceed the limit and some months can be below the limit.

After 24 months of disability payments, the IRP ends. If the individual still qualifies for SSDI, they can start a new trial work period, which is the opportunity to try to consistently work at the SGA level without losing benefits. During this trial work period, the person can earn above the SGA limit for up to nine months over a five-year period without losing SSDI benefits.

When the IRP ends, the EXR clock resets. If the person’s work earnings cause them to lose their SSDI benefits, they get a new five-year period of eligibility for EXR.

Learn More About SSDI

Understanding how SSDI and expedited reinstatement work can help you plan more effectively and minimize gaps in support during vulnerable times. If you believe you may qualify for SSDI or need to request an EXR, consult with a special needs planning attorney near you to navigate the process and maximize your chances of approval. You may also contact your local Social Security office via the SSA’s online Social Security office locator.

For additional reading about Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, check out the following articles:

• SSI vs. SSDI: 3 Major Differences
• How Are Benefits for Disability (SSDI) Calculated?
• Are Social Security Disability Benefits Taxable?
• What Other Benefits Can I Get With Social Security Disability Insurance?
• How Long Does It Take Before SSDI Benefits Begin?