Applying for Social Security disability is a big step. It usually means a life changing event has recently occurred in your life. Big adjustments are ahead. There are some very important questions that should be answered before you file a claim for disability. There are 2 reasons why I say this:
Determine when you first became disabled. This is called the Alleged Onset Date (AOD). This date will determine how far back in time you can or will collect benefits. You may recover at least 17 additional months of benefits by choosing the correct date. This date could be the last day you worked but it is not necessarily that date. It almost is never the date of the application because most people don't file on the first day they become disabled. (You are entitled to claim benefits before the date you file the application--in many cases up to 17 months before you file the application).
Determine whether medical evidence will support your alleged onset date. For example, you may have become unable to work on March 1, 2014. However, if you did not see a doctor until July 2014, you may not be able to prove the March 1 onset date.
Consider if you are unable to perform all work, even easier jobs. For instance, you have been working in construction which required lifting over 50 pounds frequently. You may not be able to perform that kind of work any longer. However, could you perform easier jobs such as ticket taker, parking garage attendant, or assembly inspector, which require lifting less than 10 pounds occasionally? You can be denied because you are still able to perform jobs that are easier than your previous work.
Find out how your age impacts the probable decision on your claim. Age is a very important factor in Social Security disability. There is a huge difference between the way Social Security looks at a 40 year-old claimant and a 55 year-old claimant with the very same impairment. Social Security publishes probable outcomes of claimants based on their age, functional capacity, education and past work experience. These are called "grid rules." or Medical-Vocational Guidelines. Grid rules are affected by age.
There is nothing cut-and-dried about Social Security disability. The more you know going in, the better your odds are of getting a positive outcome. You cannot be an expert in everything, so consider appointing a Social Security disability advocate to help you.
- The amount of benefits you will collect may be drastically affected by information in your application. This could determine whether you will receive $40,000 or more in back pay, no back pay, or some smaller amount than you qualify for.
- Information in your application will determine whether your disability claim is approved or denied. Period.
Determine when you first became disabled. This is called the Alleged Onset Date (AOD). This date will determine how far back in time you can or will collect benefits. You may recover at least 17 additional months of benefits by choosing the correct date. This date could be the last day you worked but it is not necessarily that date. It almost is never the date of the application because most people don't file on the first day they become disabled. (You are entitled to claim benefits before the date you file the application--in many cases up to 17 months before you file the application).
Determine whether medical evidence will support your alleged onset date. For example, you may have become unable to work on March 1, 2014. However, if you did not see a doctor until July 2014, you may not be able to prove the March 1 onset date.
Consider if you are unable to perform all work, even easier jobs. For instance, you have been working in construction which required lifting over 50 pounds frequently. You may not be able to perform that kind of work any longer. However, could you perform easier jobs such as ticket taker, parking garage attendant, or assembly inspector, which require lifting less than 10 pounds occasionally? You can be denied because you are still able to perform jobs that are easier than your previous work.
Find out how your age impacts the probable decision on your claim. Age is a very important factor in Social Security disability. There is a huge difference between the way Social Security looks at a 40 year-old claimant and a 55 year-old claimant with the very same impairment. Social Security publishes probable outcomes of claimants based on their age, functional capacity, education and past work experience. These are called "grid rules." or Medical-Vocational Guidelines. Grid rules are affected by age.
There is nothing cut-and-dried about Social Security disability. The more you know going in, the better your odds are of getting a positive outcome. You cannot be an expert in everything, so consider appointing a Social Security disability advocate to help you.
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