What "Nolon" means and when you can use it

Nolon is the nickname for a Social Security form and process that lets you ask the agency to turn your disability benefits back on without filing a new claim from scratch. The formal name is a "request for reinstatement of benefits," and you can file one within five years after your benefits stopped.

You become may be able to access for nolon when Social Security stops your benefits because you reported work, earnings, or a medical improvement. If you stopped working or your condition got worse again within that five-year window, you can ask them to restart your payments without going through the full disability information process a second time.

The five-year clock starts the month your benefits actually end, not the month you reported the change. If you were working and Social Security stopped your checks in March 2022, you have until March 2027 to file a nolon request. After five years, you must file a new disability claim instead.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request reinstatement within five years of the month your benefits stopped, but you cannot use nolon after that important date passes.
  • Social Security will look at your medical condition and work activity as of the date you file the nolon request, not as of when your benefits ended.
  • If you are still working or earning above the monthly limit, your nolon request will be denied even if your condition has worsened.
  • You file a nolon request by phone, mail, or in person at your local Social Security office — there is no online form.
  • Processing a nolon takes longer than a routine benefit payment review but faster than a new initial claim, usually two to four months.

Why Social Security stopped your benefits in the first place

Social Security stops disability benefits for three main reasons: you reported work and earnings above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, a medical review found your condition improved, or you reached full retirement age and your disability benefits converted to retirement benefits.

If your benefits stopped because of work, you likely received a notice saying your benefits would end at the end of a specific month. That notice usually came after you reported wages to Social Security, either through a work incentive program like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) or because you told them you were working.

If your benefits stopped because of medical improvement, you received a notice of continuing disability review (CDR) that said Social Security reviewed your medical records and determined your condition no longer met the disability standard. You had the right to appeal that decision, but if you did not appeal or your appeal was denied, your benefits ended.

When you can file a nolon request and what happens next

You can file a nolon request at any point within the five-year window after your benefits stopped. You do not have to wait until your condition worsens or until you stop working — you can file as soon as you want to restart your benefits. However, Social Security will evaluate your current medical condition and current work activity, not your condition when your benefits ended.

When you file, bring or mail a completed Form SSA-327 (process to Reinstate Benefits) to your local Social Security office. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you the form or to take your request over the phone. If you use a representative, they can file the form on your behalf.

Social Security will send you a notice within 30 days saying they received your request. They will then order medical records from your doctors and may schedule a consultative examination if they need current medical evidence. You will also be asked to report your current work and earnings for the past 12 months.

How Social Security decides whether to reinstate your benefits

Social Security uses a different standard for nolon than for a new disability claim. They do not have to prove your condition is as severe as it was when you first won benefits. Instead, they look at whether your condition currently prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity — the same test they use for any ongoing disability review.

If your benefits stopped because of work, Social Security will look at whether you are still working and earning above the SGA limit. For 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If you are earning less than that and your medical condition still prevents substantial work, your benefits will restart. If you are still earning above SGA, your nolon will be denied.

If your benefits stopped because of medical improvement, Social Security will review your current medical records to see whether your condition has worsened back to the disability level. They will compare your current condition to the medical evidence they have on file, not to your condition at the time your benefits ended. If your condition has improved further since your benefits stopped, your nolon will be denied.

What happens if Social Security approves your nolon request

If Social Security approves your nolon request, your benefits will restart the month after they approve it. You will receive a notice in the mail saying your benefits have been reinstated and telling you the amount of your new monthly payment. Your payment amount will be the same as it was before your benefits stopped, adjusted for any cost-of-living increases that happened while your benefits were off.

You will also receive a new Medicare card if you are on SSDI, because your Medicare coverage will restart automatically. If you lost Medicaid while your benefits were off, you may be able to get Medicaid back, but you will need to contact your state Medicaid office to reapply — Social Security does not restart Medicaid automatically.

Once your benefits restart, you are back under the same work rules as before. If you are working, you can use work incentives like IRWE or Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to keep your benefits while you earn. You will also be subject to another continuing disability review at some point in the future, just as you would have been if your benefits had never stopped.

What happens if Social Security denies your nolon request

If Social Security denies your nolon request, you have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to file an appeal. You can request reconsideration, which means a different Social Security examiner will review your case. You can also request a hearing before an administrative law judge if reconsideration is denied.

If your nolon is denied because you are still working above SGA, you can file a new nolon request later if you stop working or reduce your earnings. There is no limit on how many nolon requests you can file within the five-year window, as long as your circumstances have changed.

If your nolon is denied because your medical condition has not improved back to the disability level, you can appeal that decision or wait and file another nolon request if your condition worsens further. You can also file a new disability claim after the five-year window closes, but that claim will be treated as a new initial claim and will take longer to process.

The difference between nolon and a new disability claim

A nolon request is faster and uses a simpler standard than a new disability claim. Social Security does not have to prove your condition is as severe as it was when you first won benefits — they only have to find that your current condition prevents substantial work. A new claim requires proving your condition meets or equals the disability standard from the beginning, which takes longer and is harder to win.

A nolon request also preserves your original onset date, which affects how much back pay you receive if your request is approved. If you file a new claim instead, your onset date becomes the date you file the new claim, and you lose any back pay for the time between when your benefits stopped and when your new claim is approved.

However, a nolon request only works within five years of the month your benefits stopped. After that important date, you must file a new disability claim. A new claim also gives you a fresh start if your medical condition has changed significantly or if you have new evidence that was not in your file when your benefits stopped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a nolon request if I am still working?

You can file a nolon request while working, but Social Security will deny it if you are earning above the SGA limit for your category. If you are earning below SGA and your medical condition prevents substantial work, your nolon may be approved. You should report your current earnings when you file so Social Security has accurate information.

What if I do not have medical records from the past few years?

Social Security will order medical records from your doctors as part of the nolon process. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may schedule a consultative examination at no cost to you. You should tell Social Security about any medical treatment you have received, even if you do not have records in hand.

How long does it take to get a decision on a nolon request?

Most nolon requests are decided within two to four months, though some take longer if Social Security needs to order records or schedule an exam. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you the decision. If you do not hear back within four months, you can call your local Social Security office to ask about the status.

Can my representative file a nolon request for me?

Yes, your representative — a lawyer, advocate, or authorized non-lawyer representative — can file a nolon request on your behalf. They will need a signed Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative) on file with Social Security. Your representative can also receive notices and attend hearings if your nolon is denied and you appeal.

What if I missed the five-year important date to file a nolon?

If more than five years have passed since your benefits stopped, you cannot file a nolon request. You must file a new disability claim instead. A new claim will take longer to process and will use your new filing date as your onset date, so you will not receive back pay for the years your benefits were off.