Participating in the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program opened career doors you never thought possible, helping you prepare for, find, and thrive in meaningful employment. It reduced your reliance on disability benefits and increased your financial independence.
But months or years have passed, and your medical condition has worsened to the point that you can no longer maintain employment. Now, when you need them most, you worry that your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are gone forever. Sound familiar?
At Disability Services of America, we understand your concerns. Our Social Security-approved Employment Network helps people across the United States return to benefits when their disability prevents continued work. The SSA's Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) process provides a swift pathway back to financial security. Here's what you should know about this key provision and how we can help you restart your disability benefits without completing a new application.
Understanding Expedited Reinstatement for Former SSDI and SSI Recipients
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) is available for SSDI and SSI recipients who stopped receiving benefits because their earnings exceeded substantial gainful activity (SGA) levels. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that disabilities can fluctuate and that returning to work doesn't mean your condition has permanently improved.
You may qualify for EXR if:
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Your benefits ended due to work activity within the past five years, and
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You're currently unable to work because of the same impairment—or a related condition—that originally qualified you for benefits.
Requesting Expedited Reinstatement
Form SSA-371 asks detailed questions about your work history, medical conditions, and reasons for requesting benefits reinstatement. Completing this form and filing it with your local Social Security office begins the Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) process. You might also be asked to complete Form SSA-827, which authorizes the Social Security Administration to collect medical records and other evidence to support your EXR request.
You must also provide current medical evidence that supports your claim that you can no longer work, including:
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Recent medical records from treating physicians
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Laboratory test results and imaging studies
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Functional capacity evaluations
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Statements from health care providers about your limitations
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Documentation of any hospitalizations or emergency treatments
The SSA reviews your medical evidence to determine if your condition meets its strict definition of disability and compares your current limitations to the original impairment that qualified you for benefits.
Receiving Provisional Benefits During the Review Process
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides provisional benefits while reviewing Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) requests. These temporary payments begin as early as the month after you file for EXR.
Provisional benefits continue for up to six months while the SSA determines your eligibility. If they approve your claim, these payments count toward your regular benefits amount. However, even if they deny your request, you typically don't have to repay the provisional benefits you received.
How much will you receive? The provisional benefit amount is the same as the monthly payment you received before leaving the disability rolls. These benefits provide immediate financial support while you await a final decision.
Protecting Your Return to Social Security Benefits
Working with a Social Security Administration-approved Employment Network like Disability Services of America provides valuable protection during your Ticket to Work journey. We help you understand how work activity affects your benefits and guide you through the transition process if you need to stop working again due to your medical condition.
Our nationwide team can help you:
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Monitor your work activity and earnings
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Coordinate with your health care providers
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Document changes in your medical condition
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Complete the Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) application
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Appeal denied EXR requests
The Expedited Reinstatement process can feel overwhelming when you're dealing with a worsening disability. Having Disability Services of America's experienced advocates on your side increases your chances of approval and reduces the stress of handling the application alone.
Don't let fear of losing benefits forever prevent you from seeking the support you need. We're here to help you secure the benefits you deserve when your disability prevents you from continuing to work.