a collection of different accolades for lawyers
a collection of different accolades for lawyers

Know Your Onset Date

The Onset Date is the date you are alleging that you became disabled. It is not necessarily the last day you worked, although often it is. Generally, it is the date you became disabled, and the date you can prove you became disabled. Everything gets measured from that date, including retroactive benefits. Because of this, the date of your disability is very important to the process. For example, benefits become payable 5 months after your Onset Date. Once your claim has been processed, this becomes set.

Changes and Discrepancies

An adjudicator may adjust your date of onset. Overall, this is to help ensure proper filing, to show you as incapable of gainful employment. This adjustment may occur if there is a discrepancy between your alleged onset date and that of your medical records or employment records. For example, if you clocked in at work after your injury, whether or not you were able to do your job, that may cause a change to the onset date. The sooner after you become disabled that you apply for SSDI, the less likely it is that there will be a discrepancy. Generally, your attorney should help you ensure that your claim has as little discrepancies as possible.

Above all, this change in date can force you to wait longer for any disability insurance money to come in. This can create more issues down the road. The best way to avoid this problem is to work with an attorney who is knowledgeable in the SSDI process so that your claim can be processed quickly and efficiently. For more information about what is needed for applying for SSDI, click here. The law team at D’Agostino & Associates has been helping people like you get the money they deserve. Contact us, or call 1-888-24-LAW-24 (1-888-245-2924) today. If you need a disability attorney in New York or New Jersey, we’re the firm for you.