What are the changes to the Timely Progress Requirements?

SSA conducts timely progress reviews to assure that SSA beneficiaries are making progress toward greater self-sufficiency. If it is determined that a beneficiary is not making timely progress, the Continuing Disability Review protection is removed. No loss of benefits or other negative consequence is imposed.

Timely progress requirements can be met in several different ways at different periods: work activity, completion of high school diploma or GED, participation in a degree or certificate program and participation in a technical, trade or vocational program (see table below). It is also possible to meet the timely progress goals through partial completion of the work requirement with partial completion of post-secondary education requirement or vocational or technical training requirement. SSA will determine what percentage of the work requirement and education/training requirement have been met. If those percentages are equal to or greater than 100%, timely progress requirements have been met.

12 Month Review Period Work Requirement Degree or Certification Program Technical, Trade or Vocational Program
Year 1
(after 12 months of ticket use)
3 out of 12 months, Trial Work Period (TWP) earnings Obtain high school diploma or GED
or 60% of full time course load for 1 year
60% of full time course load for 1 year
Year 2
(13th – 24th month of ticket use)
6 out of 12 months, TWP earnings 75% of full time course load for 1 year 75% of full time course load for 1 year
Year 3
(25th – 36th month of ticket use)
9 out of 12 months with Substantial Gainful Activity (“SGA”) earnings Completed a 2 year program, or, for 4 year program, completed additional academic year of full time study Completed the program
Year 4
(37th – 48th month of ticket use)
9 out of 12 months at SGA Completed additional academic year of full time study  
Year 5
(49th -60th month of ticket use)
6 out of 12 months at SGA level with no SSI and/or SSDI cash benefits in months worked Completed an additional academic year of full time study or completed 4 year degree program  
Year 6
(61st – 72nd month of ticket use)
6 out of 12 months at SGA level with no SSI and/or SSDI cash benefits in months worked Completed 4 year degree program  
Year 7
[every remaining 12 months of ticket use]
6 out of 12 months at SGA level with no SSI and/or SSDI cash benefits in months worked