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Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

SSDI work incentive only.

The Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins the month after your Trial Work Period (TWP) ends and lasts for 36 consecutive months.

During your EPE, you will continue to receive an SSDI payment in each month when your earnings are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.  In 2008, SGA is $940 per month ($1,570 per month for people receiving benefits based on blindness).  You are not entitled to an SSDI payment in months when you earn more than the SGA limit, unless you can use work incentives to reduce the amount of your earnings counted by the Social Security Administration.  You are eligible for an SSDI payment in the following months if your earnings drop below SGA again.

No new application is required to get benefits restarted if your earnings fall below SGA.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) Features:

  • SSDI cash payments continue when earning below SGA, as long as you continue to have a disability.
  • Your eligibility for SSDI cash payments can vary from month-to-month, depending if your earnings are above or below the SGA level. A reapplication for benefits is not needed.
  • Many people use the EPE as a time to see if they can handle working full time. If you cannot continue to earn above the SGA level ($940 per month in 2008, or $1,570 per month if blind), SSDI payments can be reinstated by calling the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and informing them when earnings fall below the SGA level.

Helpful Information in the EPE:

  • Report to your local SSA office when your earnings are above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level since it would mean your SSDI checks should stop.
  • Always inform the local SSA office when you start and stop work; it may affect how quickly your SSDI payments are restarted.
  • The more timely your earnings information is reported, the more accurate your SSDI payments will be and the less likely you will be overpaid or underpaid.
  • SSDI counts your earnings as they are earned, not as they are received. This means that it is more accurate to calculate your earnings by adding up your hours worked and multiplying by your hourly wage than to look at the amount received on your paychecks.  Click here for more information on how to monitor benefits.
  • For additional questions about your benefits contact the MN Work Incentives Connection.