If you were disabled for an extended length of time but were able to work prior to being accepted for Social Security Disability payments, you may petition for a closed term of disability benefits.
In terms of Social Security Disability benefits, a closed period is the time period between the commencement of your disability and your ability to return to work. If this gap exceeds twelve months, you may be eligible for back compensation under SSDI and/or SSI, even if you returned to work. You should consider pursuing your Social Security Disability claim even if you are no longer eligible for continued payments.
In general, persons filing for SSDI are entitled for back pay if they can demonstrate that they meet the disability criteria for a twelve-month period. SSI claims are not subject to the SSDI waiting period and are normally eligible for back pay for the whole term of disability that has expired.
Often, it is easier to win a closed period disability claim than an open period one (in which you are still disabled and unable to work). Frequently, Administrative Law Judges reason that your period of disability is properly established by the fact that you were out of work for an extended period of time due to disability and have since returned. The fact that you have resumed employment is frequently regarded as persuasive proof that you are not attempting to scam the system.
Of course, as with any aspect of the Social Security Disability procedure, your greatest chance of having a closed period disability claim approved is to have qualified counsel by a Social Security Disability attorney who is experienced with closed period disability cases.