SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY UPDATES

Did you know that your Social Security disability program has a shelf-life?  Sure, you know your homeowners insurance comes with an expiration date.  So does your auto insurance.  But Social Security disability? Yes.  Social Security disability is insurance, just like your homeowners, auto policy or life insurance.  You pay for it with taxes (called FICA) deducted from your paycheck.  When you stop working, you also stop paying FICA tax. That begins the clock ticking on your disability coverage. About 4 years after you stop working, your Social Security disability insurance will expire because you are no longer paying into the system.  The date your insurance expires is called "Date Last Insured."  When this date rolls around you can only file a new claim under Title 2 (Social Security disability) if you can prove that the disability began before your date last insured.  It doesn't matter how sick you are, or how unable to work, you ...

Here are some common mistakes that absolutely kill your chances of getting money from Social Security disability.  These are mistakes to avoid at all costs. 1.  Failure to establish consistent treatment with a good doctor.  This is equivalent to not having good medical records.  You may be very sick but if your medical record doesn't say it, it never happened. 2.  Making inconsistent statements.  Inconsistencies may be in your medical record (what you say to your doctor), in your application forms, or what you say to the judge at your disability hearing. 3.  Failure to appeal a denied application in time.  You only get 60 days to appeal.  After that it's just your rough luck.  The 60 day rule is strictly enforced.  It's a regulation, not a recommendation.  60 days.  No more. 4.  Failure to prove the "onset date" of disability.  Benefits are usually paid back to the date you first became disabled, cal...