What Is the 5-Year Rule for Social Security Disability?

The term “5-year rule” comes up in several different parts of the Social Security Disability process, and it can refer to more than one requirement. There are actually two different 5-year rules that come into play with Social Security Disability, plus a new rule issued in 2024 that also involves a 5-year time frame.

If that sounds confusing, don’t worry—you’re not alone. At The Keener Law Firm, we help people across the country make sense of how the Social Security Disability system works and what rules apply to their claims. We’ll break down all three of these 5-year concepts so you can get a clear picture of what they mean for you.

What Is the Work History 5-Year Rule for SSDI?

This first rule is about your work history—and whether you’ve worked enough to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). To be eligible for SSDI, you must have paid into the system through payroll taxes. But how much work is enough?

The Social Security Administration looks at something called “work credits.” You can earn up to four work credits per year, and in general, you need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least five of the last ten years before becoming disabled. That’s where the first 5-year rule comes from.

This rule matters because if you haven’t worked recently enough, you may not qualify for SSDI—even if you worked a lot earlier in your life. For example, if you stopped working more than five years ago, you might no longer be considered “insured” under the SSDI program. That could limit your eligibility.

We regularly help people at The Keener Law Firm determine whether they meet the SSDI work requirements. If you’re unsure whether you’ve worked enough or recently enough, we can take a close look at your earnings record and explain what it means for your claim.

What Is the 5-Year Rule for Restarting Benefits After Returning to Work?

This second 5-year rule is part of something called the Period of Extended Eligibility (EPE). If you were receiving SSDI benefits and you tried going back to work—whether through a trial work period or full-time employment—but later your medical condition forced you to stop working again, the SSA has a process for reactivating your benefits without requiring a whole new application.

Here’s how it works: once your SSDI benefits stop due to your work activity, you have five years—technically, 36 months plus additional protection under the EPE period—to ask the SSA to restart your benefits quickly if your disability returns. You won’t need to go through the full initial application process again.

That’s a huge benefit, especially if your health is unpredictable or you’re trying to work but don’t know if it’s sustainable. The EPE is meant to support people who make a genuine effort to return to the workforce but need to fall back on their disability benefits when working becomes impossible again.

At The Keener Law Firm, we understand how frustrating it can be to face another round of paperwork, waiting, and medical reviews. If your condition has returned or worsened and you’re within that extended eligibility period, we can help you act quickly to reactivate your benefits.

What Changed in 2024 About the Look-Back Period for Past Work?

In 2024, the Social Security Administration issued an important change that shortened the look-back period used when deciding whether you can perform your past work. Under the old rule, the SSA would look at the past 15 years of your work history to evaluate whether you could return to any of your prior jobs despite your medical condition. That’s now changed.

Under the new rule, the SSA will only consider the past 5 years of work experience when evaluating whether your disability prevents you from returning to your former jobs. This is a significant improvement for many claimants, especially those who have changed careers or haven’t worked in physically demanding jobs for a long time.

Let’s say you were a construction worker ten years ago but have been working in a call center for the past five years. Before this change, the SSA might have considered whether you could still do the heavy labor required in construction—even if that job was far in your past. Now, with the 5-year limit, only your more recent work matters in this part of the decision.

This new rule gives a fairer picture of your current work capabilities and avoids penalizing you for work you haven’t done in over a decade. At The Keener Law Firm, we stay up to date on changes like this and how they affect your case. If you applied before this rule took effect and were denied based on a job you did more than five years ago, we may be able to help you appeal or reapply under the updated guidelines.

Do All of These 5-Year Rules Apply to Every Claim?

Not always. These rules come into play in different situations:

• The work history 5-year rule applies when you’re trying to qualify for SSDI for the first time.
• The EPE 5-year rule applies only if you were already approved, went back to work, and now need your benefits restarted.
• The new 5-year past work rule applies when the SSA is evaluating whether your current medical condition allows you to return to any job you held in the last five years.

Depending on where you are in the process—initial application, appeal, or returning to benefits after trying to work—some of these rules may not apply. That’s where having someone experienced in Social Security Disability law can make a big difference.

How Can The Keener Law Firm Help?

We’ve helped thousands of people across the country win the disability benefits they deserve, and we know how to handle the details that can make or break a claim. The rules around Social Security Disability are full of technicalities, time limits, and exceptions—and many people give up because they simply don’t know what applies to them.

Whether you’re just starting your application, appealing a denial, or trying to get benefits restarted after your health changed again, we’re here to guide you through the process. We understand how the SSA thinks, what they look for, and how to make your case as strong as possible.

If you’re wondering whether any of these 5-year rules apply to you, the best thing you can do is talk with someone who knows the system inside and out. That’s what we do every day at The Keener Law Firm, and we’re committed to helping you get the benefits you’ve earned.

Let The Keener Law Firm take the pressure off your shoulders. We’ll review your work history, assess your eligibility, and make sure your application—or appeal—reflects the strongest possible case for approval. Bottom of Form