Originally published: November 2025 | Reviewed by Perry Morrison
Going back to work after getting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits can feel like a big step. But what if your health problems come back, and working just isn’t possible anymore?
Plenty of North Carolina residents don’t realize they have options besides starting over with a brand new disability claim.
If you lost SSDI benefits because of work activity, you can ask for expedited reinstatement within five years of your benefits ending. This way, you skip the long wait for a new application.
This process—Expedited Reinstatement, or EXR—gives you a faster route back to benefits. You might even receive temporary payments while the SSA reviews your case.
Common EXR Denials & How To Avoid Them (Practical Fixes)
Knowing when and how to use EXR can save you a lot of time and stress. The rules about your work history, FICA payments, and timing all decide if you qualify for this safety net.
EXR is a built-in Social Security rule that allows prior SSDI (and SSI) beneficiaries whose benefits ended due to earnings to request immediate reconsideration and temporary payments — avoiding a full new application if certain conditions are met.
Use Form SSA-371 (Title II) or SSA-372 (Title XVI) to start the process.
Expedited Reinstatement is governed by 20 CFR 404.1592c and Social Security POMS DI 13050.001. These rules make EXR an official work incentive program.
This legal setup creates a safety net for people who try to work again but can’t keep going because of their medical condition.
Key EXR Requirements:
EXR provides provisional benefits for up to 6 months while SSA conducts a medical review. This temporary payment helps you avoid financial trouble during the wait.
You skip the usual long application. Instead of starting over, you just file Form SSA-371.
Morrison Law Firm helps North Carolina residents restart SSDI benefits when work becomes impossible again. Get clear next steps and quick guidance — Contact us.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
If you’re an SSDI recipient in North Carolina and your disability returns after benefits ended because you worked, it’s time to look at EXR. The right timing depends on a few key triggers.
Here are three situations where you should request EXR right away in North Carolina:
Expedited reinstatement gives you faster provisional benefits and skips the long application process.
With a new claim, you’re back to square one—new medical evidence, more waiting, and more frustration.
| Factor | Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) | New SSDI Claim |
| Processing Time | Up to 6 months of provisional benefits immediately | 3-6 months minimum wait |
| Medical Review | Uses previous disability determination | Requires all new medical evidence |
| Work Incentives | New trial work period after approval | Standard trial work period rules |
| Best For | Same or related disability condition | Completely different disability |
| Time Limit | Must file within 60 months | No time limit |
| Medicare | Continues previous coverage | New Medicare waiting period |
| Success Rate | Higher for related conditions | Depends on new medical evidence |
EXR usually makes the most sense if your disability is the same or related to what you had before. You can get provisional payments while you wait for the final answer.
Filing for expedited reinstatement in North Carolina means you’ll need certain documents and good timing.
You’ll gather medical records, complete forms, and submit your request through the appropriate Social Security channels.
Before you start, make sure you meet the basics. Your benefits must have ended within the last five years because you worked or earned too much.
Here’s what you’ll want to collect:
Get in touch with your doctor and ask for updated records. Sometimes this takes a week or two, so don’t wait too long.
Double-check that your work earnings actually stopped before you file. The new rules let you apply for EXR in the same month you stop working.
Timing tip: You can get provisional benefits starting the month after your request if you stopped working that same month.
For the actual filing, you’ll need Form SSA-371. Take your time and double-check every answer.
Ways to file in North Carolina:
| Method | Time Required | Best For |
| In-person at the field office | 1-2 hours | Complex cases |
| Phone appointment | 30-45 minutes | Simple requests |
| Online portal | 15-30 minutes | Tech-savvy applicants |
Bring all your documents to your local Social Security office. North Carolina’s Disability Determination Services will check your medical eligibility.
Filing steps:
The reinstatement process usually takes around 3-5 months. Provisional benefits can start right away and last up to six months while Social Security reviews your case.
| Item | Why it matters | Example proof |
| SSA award letter/termination notice | Verifies prior entitlement and termination date | SSA award letter PDF |
| Medical records since the benefit end | Shows current inability to work | Hospital notes, doctor statements |
| Recent pay stubs/employer letter | Shows you are not at SGA now | Last three pay stubs |
| SSA-371 / SSA-372 completed | Formal request form | Signed form copy |
| Contact info for the local SSA office | Where to submit & follow up | Local office phone/address |
If you request expedited reinstatement, you might get up to six months of provisional benefits while Social Security reviews your case.
These temporary payments cover both cash and medical coverage, helping you get by while you wait for a decision.
Provisional benefits are temporary payments that act as a safety net during EXR review. The beneficiary gets these payments for up to six months while SSA checks eligibility.
Key provisional benefit types include:
If SSA approves the EXR request, provisional payments become regular benefits. If they deny the request, the beneficiary must repay all provisional benefits received.
Medicare coverage during the provisional benefit period remains the same as when benefits initially ended. This includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and premiums.
The provisional benefit amount matches what the person received before termination. SSA doesn’t require a pile of medical paperwork to start these payments, so people usually get them pretty quickly after filing the EXR request.
Unsure whether to file EXR or start a new SSDI claim? Talk with a disability attorney at Morrison Law Firm to avoid delays and confusion. Schedule an appointment today.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Most EXR denials occur when the Social Security Administration finds medical improvement or determines that the person can return to work.
Knowing these common pitfalls helps folks prepare stronger requests and avoid costly delays.
The medical improvement review standard applies to EXR requests, just as it does for continuing disability reviews. Here are the main reasons applications get denied:
Practical fixes include:
Get recent medical exams before filing. Stop all work activity in the month you request EXR.
Keep detailed records of when benefits ended and why. Ask your doctor to document how your condition limits daily activities and work ability.
The EXR process usually takes several months, and applicants might get provisional benefits while Social Security reviews their case.
Knowing the timeline helps set realistic expectations for when benefits might resume.
After you file Form SSA-371, Social Security starts reviewing the request. They first check basic requirements, such as the five-year filing deadline.
Social Security may approve up to 6 months of provisional benefits while the case is under review. These temporary payments help bridge the gap during processing.
Examiners review medical evidence to determine whether the disability continues to prevent substantial work. They might ask for more records or schedule exams.
Social Security issues a final determination on permanent reinstatement. If approved, benefits continue beyond the provisional period. If denied, you have to repay provisional benefits unless you qualify for a waiver of overpayment recovery.
The timeline for expedited reinstatement can vary depending on the case’s complexity and the speed of medical evidence.
Most SSDI expedited reinstatement cases move forward without legal help. But when things get complicated, professional guidance can make a real difference. If you are denied, your best option is to retain a lawyer.
Contingency fee arrangements make legal representation accessible when appeals or complications arise.
When Legal Help Makes Sense:
Social Security disability lawyers usually work on a contingency fee basis. They get 25% of your back benefits or $7,200, whichever is less.
For most cases, you won’t pay anything up front.
Ready to restart your SSDI benefits quickly? We gather records, file the EXR request, and communicate with Social Security on your behalf. Take the next step with Morrison Law Firm — Contact us.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
What is Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)?
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) allows someone whose SSDI benefits stopped because they returned to work to restart benefits without filing a new application if they can no longer work due to the same or a related disability. The request is made within 60 months.
When should I request EXR?
Request EXR as soon as you stop working or your income drops below Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels, and the disability preventing work is the same or closely related to your previous SSDI claim.
What forms do I need to file for EXR in North Carolina?
You need to submit Form SSA-371 (SSDI) or SSA-372 (SSI) to your local Social Security office. A disability attorney can submit it for you.
Can I get benefits while Social Security decides on EXR?
Yes. If you qualify, Social Security may grant provisional benefits for up to six months, including monthly payments and access to Medicare/Medicaid.
What are the requirements for EXR approval?
You must:
Is EXR faster than filing a new SSDI application?
Yes. EXR uses your previous disability approval, avoiding the need to start a new application from scratch. It focuses on whether your disability again prevents you from working.
Do I need an attorney for EXR?
You are not required to have one, but an attorney can track deadlines, submit evidence, and ensure Social Security reviews the EXR under the correct rules, reducing delays and denials.
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