Different types of disability benefits may be available to disabled individuals in different circumstances. Generally, Social Security Disability benefits are available when a disabled individual suffers from a medical condition that prevents them from working. Qualifying for SSD benefits is based on the disabled individual’s physical or mental medical condition.
To qualify for disability, the applicant must be unable to work for 12 consecutive months and the medical condition must be expected to last for 12 months or longer or result in death. Closed-period disability benefits may be available in circumstances when an individual suffers from a medical condition that ends after a year or longer and the applicant is able to return to work.
Closed-period disability benefits may be obtainable in some circumstances and may even be viewed more favorably by the Social Security Administration. Closed-period disability benefits may extend for 1 year, 18 months or 2 to 3 year periods. The Social Security Administration’s definition of disability provides for a required period of duration for a specific disability.
In general, to qualify for SSD benefits, the applicant must meet certain work history and medical condition requirements and the reason for the disability must last longer than 12 months, but that does not necessarily preclude closed-period disability benefits when the circumstances meet those requirements but the disabled individual is able to return to work at a later time. It is important that disabled individuals be familiar with all of the options that may be available to them through Social Security disability and know how to apply for benefits and understand how the process works.
Source: Disabled World, “Closed Period of Disability – Winning Your SSDI Claim,” Accessed May 29, 2016
