What is a “closed period” of disability?

Put simply, a closed period of disability means that you were disabled for a specific period of time but were eventually able to return to work and/or your disability ended. For example, for a year and a half you were unable to work because of the debilitating impacts of ulcerative colitis, but after a successful surgery you were finally able to return to work. Arguing for a closed period means arguing that you deserve Social Security benefits for that year and a half stretch when you couldn’t work.

At a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim hearing, applicants who petition for a so-called closed period of disability are likely to have a better likelihood of winning their claim. The is because the SSA is looking at a finite financial risk if the claim is approved.

For example, a claimant filing for an 18-month closed period disability presents far less of a financial liability than one requesting ongoing, open-ended disability payments for the rest of their lives. Increasingly, SSA judges appear to be aware of this consideration when rendering their caseload of decisions.

At the very least, however, the SSA requires that a claimant have been unable to work for 12 months consecutively and/or that the condition will most likely last for 12 months. If the condition in question is deemed to be short-term, you will not qualify for SSDI benefits. Separately, a claimant is even more likely to receive closed period disability benefits if they have, in the interim, returned to work. Just keep in mind that you have to be out of work for a year or more in order for this type of argument to work.