How to Determine the Onset Date of Your SSI Claim
Most of the time, when an individual applies for disability benefits through the Social Security program (SSI), the Administration determines the date in which the benefits become active. This is called the established onset date (EOD) and is typically effective shortly after the individual’s application to the program is accepted and confirmed. There are certain circumstances however in which the onset date for SSI is different and is so in a way that is very beneficial to the individual.
If the person who is applying for SSI benefits became disabled up to a year before applying, that person may be eligible for back pay benefits. Under this condition, the onset date is stated as being in the past and the same amount of benefits that would have been collected are dispensed immediately. This is known as an alleged onset date, or AOD. This is an excellent benefit to apply for as the extra funding is often of a significant amount.
To be eligible for this, as noted, the individual must have become disabled prior to applying. Although benefits are dispensed for up to 12 months, the actual incident or contraction of the disability must have occurred 17 months before the SSI application was submitted. This is because there is typically a five month waiting period that must be undergone as well, so no benefits would normally have been granted during that time.
Ultimately however, the Social Security Administration has the authority to determine the onset date and this may not sometimes reflect your situation. If your SSI application has been rejected or onset date unfairly chosen, you can apply to have that changed. To learn how we at the Franco Law Firm can assist you through the SSI application process so that you can receive the benefits that you deserve, please call (813) 872-0929.