Getting Expedited Reinstatement of Social Security Benefits

Getting expedited reinstatement of social security disability benefits can be a very real concern if you are disabled and have had your benefits stopped or suspended because of your income or for other reasons.  There are a number of reasons why social security disability benefits can be stopped, and there is a prearranged series of steps you must go through to have your expedited reinstatement application considered by the Social Security Administration.  Make sure to follow these guidelines as the deadlines are fairly tight and are adhered to quite firmly. 

Steps to Expedited Reinstatement Of Benefits

The steps to getting your expedited reinstatement are easy to follow if you follow them correctly.

• The first step to getting your expedited reinstatement of social security disability benefits is to file with the Social Security office notifying them that your benefits situation has changed. 

You will not need to provide an entirely new application for disability benefits, but you will need to be able to show your current income at the present time as well as have supporting documentation that shows the status of your disability at the time of application for expedited reinstatement.

• Once you have filed for expedited reinstatement, you will be eligible for provisional benefits for a period of up to six months.  

Provisional benefits are paid to you at the same rate as your previous disability benefits, and will be paid to you while the specifics of your case are reviewed and while the state disability examiner checks into your current disability status and makes a determination or recommendation to the Social Security administration about whether or not benefits should be reinstated.  You may be called in for a consultative examination or asked to provide other facts relevant to your case.

• Once your case has been examined by the state disability examiner, your provisional benefits will end. 

If your petition for expedited reinstatement is approved, you will begin to receive your social security disability payments as you did before they were suspended or stopped.  If your petition for expedited reinstatement is denied, your provisional benefits will cease effective as of the date that the decision was made.  You can appeal this decision if you feel that it was reached incorrectly.  You will not be eligible for provisional benefits in any case after the expiration of the six month provisional period, even if your application for expedited reinstatement of benefits is still being considered by the state disability examiner at that time.

Getting Help

If you are applying for expedited reinstatement of benefits, you should consult with an experienced disability attorney. Your attorney can help you to complete any paperwork and provide any necessary evidence so your claim will be approved. If your claim is denied, your attorney can also assist you throughout the appeals process, acting as your advocate every step of the way.