IMPORTANCE OF YOUR 'ALLGED ONSET DATE"

First, let's define two terms that will be used in this post.

Alleged Onset Date (AOD) is the date on which the applicant claims to have first become disabled.  

Established Onset Date (EOD) is the date that Social Security sets as the first date on which the claimant became disabled.  (A disability examiner or administrative law judge may change the alleged onset date to a later date, which becomes the EOD).

On an approved claim, back benefits are paid from the Established Onset Date.  Of course, the goal is make the AOD and the EOD the same - whereby the claimant receives maximum benefits.

For instance, if a claimant alleges that he became disabled on February 1 and Social Security accepts that date, back pay will be eligible back to February 1.  (However, there is a 5-month waiting period for Title 2 disability claims, so actual payment will not be made until August).
There are no waiting periods pr retrpactove nemefots for SSI claims, so payments can begin the month following the application.  Back pay can still occur in  an SSI claim because it often takes months to get a claim approved, especially when an appeal becomes necessary.

It is vital to present medical and vocational evidence going back to the alleged onset date (AOD).  The claimant wants to prove that he/she was disabled as of the AOD and that he/she has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the AOD.

An experienced Social Security disability advocate is your best bet in protecting your AOD and the back pay that comes with it.  Remember that Social Security is under tremendous pressure to challenge alleged onset dates and move the date forward, when possible, to reduce or eliminate back pay.  Representation fights to get you the entire "value" of your claim, including back pay.  In fact, the representative cannot be paid a fee unless back pay is collected.
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The Forsythe Firm, 7027 Old Madison Pike (Research Park) Huntsville, AL fights for our claimants' rights in Social Security disability and SSI claims.  Never a fee until we collect your benefits, including back pay.  (256) 799-0297

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Established in 1979, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives is an association of over 4,000 attorneys and other advocates who represent Social Security and Supplemental Security Income claimants. Our members are committed to providing high quality representation for claimants, to maintaining a system of full and fair adjudication for every claimant, and to advocating for beneficial change in the disability determination and adjudication process.