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THE 36-MONTH REENTITLEMENT PERIOD

The reentitlement period is a safety net for Title II disability recipients who return to work.  The reentitlement period begins at the end of the 9-month trial work period and lasts for 36 months.

If you cannot continue working at the SGA level* due to your disability during the 36-month reentitlement period, you do not have to go through the disability application process all over again.  You just notify Social Security that you are unable to work and they will restart your disability benefits quickly.  This safety net is intended to encourage people on disability benefits to try to return to work.

You only get one 9-month trial work period and only one reentitlement period.

Trial work and reentitlement are for Title II disability recipients only--not for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) beneficiaries.  Also, if you are awarded a "closed period" of disability benefits, there is no reentitlement period.
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*SGA level in 2015 refers to earning at least $1,090 per month before withholdings.  The SGA threshold changes from year to year.  For example, in 2014, it was $1,070.

(See my post on "The 9-Month Trial Work Period" on this site).

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