What Is an Alleged Onset Date and Why Does It Matter in a Social Security Disability Claim?

What Is an Alleged Onset Date and Why Does It Matter in a Social Security Disability Claim?

One of the most important dates in a Social Security Disability claim is something known as the Alleged Onset Date, often referred to as the AOD, and many people applying for Social Security Disability benefits misunderstand what this date means and why it matters.

In fact, choosing the wrong Alleged Onset Date can affect not only whether your claim is approved, but also how much back pay you may ultimately receive.

What Is an Alleged Onset Date?

Your Alleged Onset Date is the date you claim your medical condition first became severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful employment.  Simply put, it is the date you contend you became disabled under Social Security’s rules.

Many applicants mistakenly believe their Alleged Onset Date is:

• The date they were diagnosed;
• The date they had surgery;
• The date they were injured; or
• The date they filed for disability benefits.

In reality, it may be none of those dates.  The proper onset date is generally the date your medical condition first prevented you from maintaining full-time employment.

Why Does the Alleged Onset Date Matter?

The Alleged Onset Date can affect several important aspects of your claim, including:

• Eligibility for benefits;
• Amount of back pay;
• Medicare eligibility;
• The evidence Social Security reviews; and
• Whether your claim is approved or denied.

Because of this, determining the correct onset date is often one of the most important issues in a disability case.  For example, suppose a worker suffers from degenerative disc disease.  The worker is diagnosed in 2020 but continues working full-time for another three years until the pain becomes so severe that the worker can no longer maintain employment and stops working in June 2023.

In that situation, the Alleged Onset Date would likely be June 2023—not 2020 when the diagnosis was first made.

A diagnosis alone does not establish disability-the issue is when the condition became disabling.

Does the Alleged Onset Date Have to Be the Last Day I Worked?

Not necessarily; many individuals continue working despite serious medical problems.  Others attempt to return to work but discover they cannot maintain employment because of their impairments; so, in some situations, the Alleged Onset Date may occur before the claimant’s last day of work-in other situations, it may occur afterward.

Every case is different.

What If Social Security Disagrees With My Alleged Onset Date?

This happens frequently.  Remember, the date is called the Alleged Onset Date because it is the date alleged by the claimant, and Social Security is not required to accept that date.

After reviewing the medical evidence, Social Security may determine that disability began on a different date.  This date is often referred to as the Established Onset Date (EOD).

Why Do Disability Lawyers Pay So Much Attention to Onset Dates?

Because onset dates often affect thousands of dollars in benefits.  A difference of several months—or even years—can have a substantial impact on:

• SSDI back pay;
• SSI benefits;
• Medicare eligibility; and
• Overall claim value.

An onset date that is too early may not be supported by the medical evidence, an onset date that is too late may unnecessarily reduce benefits.  Finding the correct date is important.

What Evidence Is Used to Determine an Onset Date?

Social Security may consider:

• Medical records;
• Physician opinions;
• Hospital records;
• Diagnostic testing;
• Employment records;
• Earnings records;
• Testimony from the claimant; and
• Statements from family members or others familiar with the claimant’s condition.

The focus is usually on when the medical condition became severe enough to prevent substantial gainful employment.

What About Progressive Conditions?

Some medical conditions worsen gradually over time.  Examples include:

• Degenerative disc disease;
• Arthritis;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• Mental health conditions;
• Chronic pain disorders.

In these cases, determining the correct onset date can be particularly challenging because there may not be a single event that clearly marks the beginning of disability; instead, Social Security may need to evaluate the progression of symptoms over time.

The Important Thing to Remember

Many people believe disability begins when they receive a diagnosis, but  remember-Social Security views the issue differently.  The question is not “When did you learn you had the condition?”  The question is “When did the condition become severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful work activity?”

Understanding the difference between an Alleged Onset Date and an Established Onset Date can help claimants better understand both the disability application process and the appeals process.

If you or someone you care for has recently been denied Social Security Disability benefits, or if you just have questions about your right to disability benefits, please do not hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced  Social Security Disability Lawyers at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation; and remember, virtual appointments are available through Zoom so you can meet with one of the attorneys of Powell and Denny from wherever you live. And remember, there is no fee unless you win.

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