The statute permits a NH who has completed a trial work period to have an extended
period of eligibility (EPE) for disability benefits. The period of the EPE is 36 months
after the last month of the trial work period (prior to 1 /1/88, the EPE was 15 months).
See
DI 13010.210 for the rules governing when the EPE is effective.
Benefits are not payable for any SGA month during the EPE except the disability cessation
month and the following 2 months. The NH is considered to be entitled to DIB for all
months of the EPE, including nonpayment months. However, the period of disability
for freeze purposes ends with the last month that DIB benefits are payable.
In any month where the NH is not performing SGA, the benefit is computed as though
benefits had not ended. This includes any recomputation due to earnings in the EPE.
(See RS 00605.210A.3.) For PIA computation on expedited reinstatement cases (EXR) see DI 13050.060. When we establish a DIB Guarantee PIA after a prior period of DIB with EPE involvement,
we use the DIB PIA in the last month of entitlement before termination, whether that
PIA was paid or not. When determining whether a new waiting period is required, the
60 month period starts with the month after the last month of the prior period of
DIB entitlement.