Alleged Onset Date — AOD
Your Alleged Onset Date is the date you say your disability started. It affects when back pay begins if you are approved.
Official source: ssa.gov
Think of your Alleged Onset Date as the day you first tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you couldn't work anymore because of your health problem. It's the date you believe you became too sick or injured to do your job. This date is super important because it helps decide when Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments might start if they say "yes" to your application. It's like marking a spot on a calendar to show when your struggles really began.
This date matters to anyone applying for SSDI benefits. When you fill out your application, you'll be asked for this specific day. The SSA will then look at all your medical records and other information to see if they agree with your date. They call this their "Established Onset Date." Sometimes your date and their date are the same, and sometimes they're a little different.
Let's say you chose January 1, 2022, as your Alleged Onset Date because that's when your doctor told you to stop working. If the SSA approves your application and agrees that your disability started around that time, your payments could begin for the months after that date. This can also affect how much "back pay" you receive, which is money for the time you were disabled but waiting for your application to be approved. So picking the right date is a big deal for your financial future.
In real life
- A claimant set their Alleged Onset Date as the day they had to stop working.
- Sarah wrote that her Alleged Onset Date was the day her doctor told her she could no longer lift heavy items at her job.
- John picked the date he first collapsed from his illness as his Alleged Onset Date.
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Frequently asked questions about Alleged Onset Date
What is Alleged Onset Date?+
Your Alleged Onset Date is the date you say your disability started. It affects when back pay begins if you are approved.
Who qualifies for Alleged Onset Date?+
Adults under full retirement age who have a qualifying medical condition expected to last 12+ months and who have earned enough recent work credits.
How do I apply for Alleged Onset Date?+
Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. There's no cost to apply. Official forms and instructions: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/general-info.htm.
Where can I get help?+
Run the SSDI Filing Success Score to check your readiness, then the SSDI Benefit Estimator to size up your monthly payment. Local Social Security field offices can also help you apply at no cost.
Source: ssa.gov