social security disability SSD Disability

A blog by a former social security disability claims examiner about social security disability and SSI Disability issues and questions, but also general, health, and medical news.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Decision to File for Disability, Putting it off can be a Bad Call

Many individuals who should file for Social Security disability do not file for months or even years after they could have been eligible to do so.

One of the most common reasons an individual does not file for disability right away is that they believe they must have been unable to work for twelve months prior to filing for disability. However, this is not correct.

The Social Security definition of disability states that an individual has to have been unable to work for twelve months or that they expect to be unable to work for twelve months due to a medically determinable mental or physical impairment.

For some individuals, the reason for not filing (as soon as they become unable to work due to a disabling condition) is that they feel they will be able to return to work sooner than twelve months. Still with others it is a failure to admit their disability to themselves.

Social Security disability back pay is tied into the date an individual files for disability, not necessarily when they became disabled. Social Security disability allows twelve months of retroactive disability benefits from the date of filing provided that an individual has not been able to work for at least seventeen months prior to filing. Remember Social Security has a five month waiting period for which they never pay benefits.

Date of entitlement to disability benefits affects not only an individual’s potential back pay of benefits but their Medicare entitlement as well; Social Security disability beneficiaries are not entitled to Medicare insurance until two years from their date of entitlement to a monthly monetary benefit.

In conclusion, putting off the decision to file for Social Security disability is generally a bad call for most individuals. Frankly, most individuals who suffer from a mental and/or medical impairment that has prevented them from being able to work for twelve months or more are often unable to ever sustain substantial gainful work activity.

When making a decision as to when to file for disability, one should consider the likelihood of returning to substantial and gainful work, time without medical insurance, and of course financial concerns.

If an individual feels they will be out of work for a lengthy time, they should file their disability claim with Social Security to get the process going. The Social Security disability process can be a long an arduous journey if the appeal process has to be used to win Social Security disability. If an individual has to appeal their disability claim through to the level of an administrative law judge hearing, their wait for a hearing could be many months or even years.






Return to:

  • Social Security Disability Secrets
  • Social Security Disability Benefit Questions



    Other Posts

    Social Security Disability Work Credits
    SSI Child Disability Claim
    Lawyer for a Disability Hearing
    Social Security Disability and Being Disabled
    Questions on a Social Security Disability Mental Exam
    Social Security Interview — What Is Needed
    Filing A Social Security Appeal

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    Social Security Disability Prior Posts

    Social Security Disability Secrets Blog
    Eligibility for disability benefits
    Requirements for Disability Benefits
    Representative for a Social Security Disability Hearing
    Social Security Disability - Mental Impairment Qualifications
    Representation for a Social Security Disability or SSI Case
    Social Security Disability Attorney Fee
    Social Security Disability Decision Process
    Qualifying for disability on the first application
    Winning your Social Security Disability
    Disability Questions 7
    Disability Questions 8
    Disability Questions Page 9
    Disability Determination for Social Security Disability Benefits
    Social Security Disability Forms and letters
    Social Security Disability Application Interview
    SSD Benefits, Depression, and Mental Testing




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