DISABILITY BENEFIT RECOVERY

On what date did you first become disabled? That question is very important in a Social Security disability claim.  When you file your application for benefits, Social Security requires you to give that specific date as month/day/year.  Benefits can potentially be  paid back to that date. The date you became disabled is called the "alleged onset date" in the application process.  Once the date is accepted by Social Security, it is called the "established onset date." If your disability was caused by a car wreck, stroke or on the job injury, the date may be obvious.  However, if the disability is from illness which came on gradually, the date may be more subjective. You may consider the date you stopped working as your "alleged onset date."  However, many people struggle to keep working even after they are really disabled.  If you cut back to only part-time work, that could be a good indicator of the date your disability actually began.  (N...

Grid Rules are published as part of the 20 Code of Federal Regulations and are also called Medical-Vocational Guidelines.  The grids combine your age, education, past work skills and residual functional capacity to form a guide to determine if you are disabled. If you combine all the above factors and the grids point to "disabled," you should qualify for benefits.  However, you may still qualify even if the grids do not point that way.  You could still qualify by proving that a combination of all your impairments make you unable to perform any work available in the local, regional or national economy. Many advocates and attorneys will refer to the grids before deciding whether to take a case.  I prefer to dig a little deeper than the grids.  One example of where the grids are of no help is a case involving mental impairments.  Mental impairments are not measured by "exertion levels" and, therefore, the grid rules do not apply. For strict...

A successful disability application has several vital components.  An application should not be quickly "thrown together," for it is a complicated process, especially if it is to have a chance to be successful.  Here are some points to consider for a successful Social Security disability application in Alabama: Severity Requirement .  You must show that your illness or impairment is severe.  You also must prove that it results in more than moderate restrictions of function.  Duration Requirement.  You must demonstrate that your severe impairment has lasted--or is expected to last 12 consecutive months or more - OR that it is expected to end in death (terminal). Insured Status.  It will be necessary to have insured status under Title II disability insurance.  This requires a sufficient work history to have accumulated the required "quarters of coverage." Medical Support.  Your claim should be supported by both objective medical...