A person is required to provide many details when he or she applies for Social Security Disability in Minnesota. One of the most important details is the date that their disability began. For some people, this is not an easy date to calculate. They may have been working full-time and then had to gradually cut back their hours. When they file their disability claim, they will be asked to give the date when their disability began. Social Security reviewers refer to this as the alleged onset date or AOD. They will either accept it or determine that it is more recent.
People may work and still qualify for Social Security Disability in Minnesota. A disabled person who isn’t blind can earn up to $1,090 each month. If they are able to earn more than that, then the Social Security Administration considers that they will be able to effectively participate in the job market. They refer to this as Substantial Gainful Activity. It is one of the factors that the Social Security Administration staff considers when it evaluates a person’s AOD. They will also review the opinion of the doctor caring for the patient and the patient’s medical records. Based on this information, the Social Security staff will determine the established onset date or EOD. If the application for disability is rejected and the applicant appeals, an administrative law judge will determine the EOD.
It can take years for the Social Security Administration to find that a person qualifies for disability benefits. Once the person is approved, they are entitled to receive monthly back payments. These can extend back to the EOD. If the amount of back payments is small, the disabled person will receive a single lump-sum payment. A large payment is considered to be three times the monthly payment. Since that amount is approximately $733 a month, applicants who receive over $2,199 in back payments can expect to receive them in three payments every six months.
Applicants who believe that the Social Security Administration determined the incorrect EOD can appeal the decision. They should contact an attorney for help in this legal matter. Because there are deadlines to meet, they should retain a lawyer as soon as possible.
The Law firm of Malone & Atchison specializes in handling Social Security disability case throughout the state of Minnesota.
