Question: The fear of losing Medicare coverage often keeps people from attempting a trial work period and ultimately returning to the work force. What is the current stand on this important issue?
Stan: As noted above, the recently enacted the RTW Bill makes major changes. Effective October 1, 2000 Social Security disability recipients will receive an additional 4 ½ years of Medicare eligibility (54 months) for a total of 93 months after the TWP expires.
Question: If after a SSDI recipient has returned to work, the person once again becomes disabled, is the application process to again receive SSDI benefits the same, easier, or harder than the first time that person applied?
Stan: Once a TWP is completed, the claimant enters the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), a 36 month period of time after leaving the disability rolls where re-entitlement to SSDI would be automatic if work stops. Under the RTW Bill, effective January 1, 2001, an additional 60 months of "easy on, easy off" is available without the need of a new application. It is worth noting, however, that under current law Social Security can continue to conduct Continue Disability Reviews (CDRs) based upon work activity which could include that done in a TWP. The RTW Bill would eliminate work activity based CDRs effective 1/31/02. Claimants seeking to return to work should carefully consider such returns before they have this protection under the RTW Bill.
Related Resources - SSDI Benefits
Source: Edited chat transcript on winning SSDI benefits with attorney Stanley Denman, June 13, 2000.
