WHAT IS A CLOSED PERIOD of BENEFITS?

Here's a question from our mailbag this week:  

I hear people speak of a "closed period" disability claim with Social Security.  What is that?" 

A "closed period" of disability is a disability benefit that has both a starting date and an ending date. This simply means that the disability began on a certain date and ended on a certain date, with no benefits past the ending date.  A closed period pays for a disability only for a certain period of time, then stops.

Let's say that Clem Claimant hurt his back at work and had to stop working for back surgery.  Let's say he stopped working on June 1, 2024 but recovered and began working again on July 1, 2025.  Since Clem was off work for the required 12 months minimum, he could seek benefits beginning June 1, 2024 and ending June 2025.  If approved, he would receive back pay for the 13 months - minus the 5 month waiting period.  (In this example he would actually receive pay for 8 months, or 13 months minus the 5 months).

Since Clem has gone back to work full-time, he will not be eligible for any continuing benefits.  His disability period "closed" when he began working again. 

I have handled many hearings for claimants with closed period disability cases.  If there is medical evidence of a legitimate injury or illness that was severe enough to require the claimant to be off work for at least a year, most judges have no problem approving a "closed period" of benefits. One issue that may arise in this type of case is: Does the claimant have transferable skills that would have permitted him to have performed any other work while he was off his regular job?  (If he could have performed some other type of work, based on his age, education and past relevant work experience, he may be found "not disabled" during the period in question).

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By Charles W. Forsythe

The Forsythe Firm

Social Security Disability Representatives

Huntsville, AL

(256) 799-0297          Visit ForsytheFirm@gmail.com