Why Should You File for Disability Benefits Now?
For
everyone, regardless of their situation, it is
always better to file for Social Security Disability
earlier rather than later. There are several reasons
that we will explore here that delay could hurt, or
even ruin your chances to win disability benefits.
What if you filed already and you have been
denied? In that case you can see from the letters
Social Security is sending you that there are strict
time limits on your appeals. You need to make a
timely appeal of their decision to get another
chance at winning benefits. If you don’t file your
appeal on time your application will be dismissed.
What if you stopped working a while back, and
just haven’t filed yet? People with a good work
history will earn quarters of coverage which make
you eligible to receive SSDI benefits. But these
quarters of coverage stop accruing when you stop
working. If you wait too long to file you may not be
eligible to file when you apply, if you miss your
date last insured (DLI) deadline.
If you are
not eligible for SSI (maybe due to a pension, other
assets, or a spouse’s income) missing your DLI could
mean you are not eligible for either type of Social
Security Disability benefits.
Your ability to
maximize your back pay award is another reason why
you should file now. The back award is in part based
on your filing date. For people who file for SSI
only, their back pay cannot go back any further than
the protected filing date. Filing early can maximize
your back award which amounts to money in your
pocket should you win.
It is important that
you understand the maze of Social Security rules and
regulations, or that you get help from someone who
does. I know you want to maximize your back award,
and remain aware of appeal deadlines and DLI issues,
but if you are not up to that challenge then it’s
essential you get help from a Social Security
Disability lawyer.
Part of the application
process relies on you taking action – and waiting
too long to file can really cost you.
How to Get More Help
We hope s the information linked to from this page will help you regardless of where you are in the process. If you have a question about your disability case that you don’t find answered in the resources linked to above, then contact us here or give us a call at (800) 584-3700.
For more information on our attorneys, please visit Our Attorneys page.
For more information on Social Security Disability, please see:
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) FAQs
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FAQs
Social Security Disability Links
Social Security Glossary
