What date should I use for my “Alleged Onset Dater of Disability” when I apply for Social Security Disability?
Many people who are seeking disability may have a long-standing condition, like diabetes or depression. Often they make the mistake of using the first date on which they received a diagnosis of their illness. This complicates matters in their cases, especially when a claimant has worked after the date. Citing too early a date is a common cause of gumming up the system and preventing a claimant from getting his or her benefits. Use too early a date and you will wait years for your hearing. Use too late a date, you may be past your last date for SSDI insurance and get nothing. As a rule of thumb, your alleged date of onset should be the day after the last date on which you were able to work at any job at a full time bases. This is often the date when a claimant finds himself or herself unable to work at all or only work a few hours per day or a couple of days per week because of a disabling condition. REMEMBER, ONE CAN HAVE A “DISABILITY” AND STILL NOT BE “DISABLED”.


