When the claimant has a closed period of disability, a delay between the date disability ceased and the date the claimant filed an application may affect how many months of retroactive cash benefits he or she can receive. Our regulations direct that the claimant can only receive cash benefits for up to 12 months immediately before the month that the claimant files an application.

Indicate a closed period of disability for cash benefits when the claimant’s:

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  impairment(s) prevented substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 continuous months; and

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  disability ceased before the date of adjudication, and not earlier than the 14 months prior to the month of filing.

NOTE: If disability ceased more than 14 months earlier than the month the claimant filed an application, no benefits are payable. The 14-month period represents the 12-month application retroactivity and the 2-month grace period for payment after cessation.

A title II claimant may be entitled to a closed period freeze. This disability freeze protects the claimant from the loss of future retirement or disability benefits that would otherwise disregard the period of disability. For more on developing a title II disability freeze, see DI 26001.010.

Consider a closed period freeze only if the claimant filed the application more than 14 months after, but within 36 months of, the month disability ceased; and

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  the claimant’s physical condition limited his or her activities to such an extent the claimant could not complete and sign an application; or

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  the claimant was mentally incompetent.

Establish a closed period freeze if case evidence shows:

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  the claimant was disabled within the 36 months before he or she applied for disability benefits (and the disability met the duration requirement);

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  disability ceased more than 14 months prior to the application date; and

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  the claimant was mentally incompetent or unable to complete and sign an application due to his or her physical condition within the 14 months after disability ceased.