Assessing Income: Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and Expedited Reinstatement – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track I (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)
Guided by a lifelong refusal to accept mediocrity, Deondra approaches the practice of law with determination, creativity, resilience, and courage. Deondra is always evolving, refining her skills, and expanding her understanding of the people and communities she serves.
1 hour CLE
Get this course, plus over 1,000+ live webinars.
Learn More
Program Summary
One Income Question, Four Different Answers — Depending on the Period
An income assessment is not a single determination — it depends on where the client sits. Part 1 examined SGA determinations for self-employed individuals under the general evaluation criteria: three tests, plus the countable income test when applicable. Part 2 recaps that framework, then applies it across the periods that follow.
The sequence matters. The trial work period comes first, with its own treatment of a client's work. After an SGA cessation, the extended period of eligibility and the re-entitlement period take over, and the same income question yields different consequences. When entitlement ends altogether, expedited reinstatement — and the initial reinstatement period within it — governs how benefits come back.
You walk out able to assess income at every stage: the SGA evaluation criteria refreshed, the TWP, EPE, and re-entitlement period placed in sequence, and a working command of EXR and the IRP.
Key topics to be discussed:
- SGA Evaluation Recap
The general evaluation criteria for self-employed individuals — three tests plus the countable income test, recapped from Part 1. - Trial Work Period
How the TWP operates and what it means for a working client's income assessment. - Extended Period of Eligibility
How the EPE functions and what it preserves for your client. - Re-entitlement After Cessation
The re-entitlement period that follows an SGA cessation, and how to put it to work. - Expedited Reinstatement
When EXR is available and how to pursue it for a client whose benefits ended. - Initial Reinstatement Period
How the IRP operates within an expedited reinstatement.
Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour
This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.
Recorded Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: October 13, 2026
- 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Eastern
- 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Central
- 10:15 am – 11:15 am Mountain
- 9:15 am – 10:15 am Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Deondra Sexton, Attorney | The Law Office of Deondra Sexton, LLC
Guided by a lifelong refusal to accept mediocrity, Deondra approaches the practice of law with determination, creativity, resilience, and courage. Deondra is always evolving, refining her skills, and expanding her understanding of the people and communities she serves.
- Education & Credentials
A Charlotte School of Law alumna, Deondra has been licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina since October 2020.
- Recognition & Leadership
While working in the field office of the Social Security Administration, she created and established the procedures for the office’s first appeals unit, along with other specialty units built to reduce field office processing time.
- Professional Involvement
She has volunteered as an advocate and counsel for individuals participating in the City of Rock Hill’s Homeless Court program.
- Experience
Before becoming a licensed attorney, Deondra built a distinguished career with the Social Security Administration, where she spent more than a decade solving complex operational challenges. Her roles included Claims Representative, Technical Expert, and Operations Supervisor, each giving her a deep understanding of federal processes and the real-world impact of administrative decisions. During her tenure, she designed and implemented workflows that streamlined the processing and adjudication of claims, appeals, and applications submitted online, by mail, or in person. She trained and mentored SSA staff, managers, supervisors, and community partners on matters involving Title II benefits and disability programs.
Agenda
SESSION 1 – Assessing Income: Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and Expedited Reinstatement | 12:15pm – 1:15pm
In Part 1, we examined substantial gainful activity (SGA) determinations for self-employed individuals using the general evaluation criteria, which consist of three tests and, when applicable, the countable income test. In Part 2, we will provide a recap and discuss the extended period of eligibility (EPE) and the re-entitlement period following an SGA cessation, the trial work period (TWP), and the initial reinstatement period (IRP) for an expedited reinstatement (EXR).
More CLE Webinars
Trending CLE Webinars
Upcoming CLE Webinars
