If you are applying for Social Security Disability, one of the first things you will be asked for is the Alleged Onset Date of your disability. While this may be difficult to determine if your medical condition has come on gradually, it is very important that a date be established that can be backed up or confirmed through your medical documentation, because if you choose the wrong date, it may cost you thousands of dollars, or worst yet, it may cause you to not qualify for benefits. Here are some points you may want to consider when you are establishing the onset date of your disability.
Exactly What Is The Disability Onset Date (DOD)?
As defined by Social Security, the onset date of your disability, or Alleged Onset Date (AOD), is the date that, to the best of your knowledge, your disability began, or the date that you met the federal definition of disability. This is determined by three basic criteria. They are:
- The date you were no longer able to work, perform Substantial Gainful Activity, or find work due to your condition.
- The date of an accident, injury, or other type of impairment, which is proven by your medical records, which prevents you from no longer being able to work.
- When you experienced a disability that was expected to last at least one year or until your death.
For some people who have experienced a significant accident or injury that have caused them to be unable to work, establishing an AOD is relatively easy. It would be the date of the accident, and you would easily have medical documentation to be able to show this. But if your disability has come on gradually or is due to an illness that has become worse over a period of time, this date may be harder to determine.
What Is The Difference Between Alleged Onset Date And Established Onset Date?
Another term that you may see on your correspondence with SSA is Established Onset Date. This is the date that they have determined to be the onset date of your disability based on their review of your medical documentation, the last time you worked, and your AOD. Sometimes this date will be the same as your AOD, but at other times this date may be later than the date that you submitted as your AOD.
If this happens, you can actually appeal their decision by asking Disability Determination Services to review and do a reconsideration of the EOD you are given. If your claim is already at the stage of a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, you can also ask them to review the EOD you have been given. Be aware this can not only hold up their decision, but it could also affect whether you are approved at this stage. Whether or not this will be in your best interest may depend on the stage that your claim is in.
Why Is This Date So Important?
Your AOD and EOD will determine how much back pay you are eligible to collect. If you qualify, you may be eligible to collect benefits back to the date of your application, as long as you have already waited the five month waiting period prior to filing. In addition to this, you may also be qualified for up to twelve months of retroactive benefits prior to you submitting your application. If your EOD is later than your AOD, this can possibly cost you thousands of dollars in back pay.
Your AOD and your EOD could also possibly determine whether or not you even qualify for disability benefits. This is especially true if your disability is only going to last slightly longer than a year. If SSA disagrees with your AOD and moves your EOD to a later date, and you have returned to work within twelve months of the EOD, you may not even qualify.
If you have question as to when your AOD began, speak to your Social Security Disability attorney about it. They will have the knowledge and experience to help you review your records and establish the best date for your claim. To learn more about filing for Social Security Disability benefits, check out websites like http://www.socialsecurityesq.com.
