Read the rest of our “Ticket To Work Incentives” series:
Taking steps toward financial independence through employment is a big deal for disability benefit recipients. After navigating the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility, you may reach a point where your consistent earnings lead to your benefits ending—a milestone that represents successfully returning to the workforce.
However, the nature of many disabilities means that circumstances can change unexpectedly. The fear of permanently losing benefits if you have more health problems or employment ends is a legitimate concern that prevents many qualified people from pursuing work opportunities.
The Social Security Administration recognizes this reality and has created Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)—a powerful safety net that extends your protection for five years after your benefits end due to work activity. Unlike the long initial application process you experienced, EXR offers a streamlined path back to benefits if needed.
This layer of protection in the Ticket to Work program provides peace of mind, allowing you to pursue employment with confidence knowing that support remains available if your situation changes. In this article, we'll explore how Expedited Reinstatement works, who qualifies, and how this important provision can serve as your long-term insurance policy during your journey toward greater independence.
Expedited Reinstatement
What happens when your 36-month EPE concludes? If you're consistently earning above SGA at that point, your benefits will terminate. However, SSA provides a final safety net called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) that protects you for five years after benefits end due to work activity. This incentive is available to recipients of SSDI and SSI.
If your medical condition worsens or your employment ends during this five-year period, you can request reinstatement of benefits through an easy process (without applying again). While your request is being reviewed, you can receive some basic income benefit for up to six months. You won’t have to repay that income if your request is denied.
The EXR period reduces the risk of returning to work. Even after successfully going back to long-term employment, you maintain a pathway back to benefits if your disability causes you to not continue.
The Ticket To Work Program
The Ticket To Work program is a voluntary employment support program for SSDI and SSI recipients. It provides free employment services like career counseling, job placement, training, and benefits counseling through Employment Networks (ENs) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies.
- The program helps beneficiaries use these work incentives effectively while finding and keeping a job.
- Participation in TTW protects SSDI benefits while working and actively making progress toward financial independence.
- TTW participants may delay medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) while engaging in the program.
Learn more about each work incentive in our “Ticket To Work Incentives” series:
Returning To Work With Allsup Employment Services
Allsup Employment Services (AES) is an SSA-authorized EN for the Ticket To Work Program. We have over 10 years of experience helping thousands return to work successfully. We can help guide you through the SSDI work incentives on your return-to-work journey.
The Ticket To Work Program helps you protect your SSA disability benefits, and working with AES you can:
- Earn More. Make as much income as you choose during the Trial Work Period and protect your full SSDI benefits.
- Stress Less. Avoid medical disability reviews and the worry that comes with them.
- Keep Medicare. While working, you can keep Medicare for over seven years.
- Avoid Risk. If you stop working anytime within five years, your SSDI benefits can resume through a reinstatement process.
- Pay Nothing. As a Social Security-authorized Employment Network, our services are provided at no cost.
Choosing AES means working with an EN who’s focused on your goals and will work with you every step of the way.
Get started with no cost and no obligation.
You can reach Allsup Employment Services today by calling 866-540-5105 or requesting a call.
