Understanding your disability onset date is one of the most important parts of a Social Security Disability (SSD) claim. This date determines when your disability officially started and can affect both the timing and amount of your benefits. Let’s break down how Social Security decides this date.
The onset date is the point when your condition began to interfere with your ability to work. It isn’t always the day you stopped working or the day you were diagnosed. Instead, Social Security looks for the moment your disability first caused significant limitations in your life. This can be tricky, especially for chronic or progressive conditions.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers multiple factors when picking your onset date. They examine medical evidence, work history, personal statements, and the type of disability you have. Each piece of information helps build a clearer picture of when your condition became disabling.
Medical records carry the most weight. Doctors’ notes, lab results, imaging, and hospital records help the SSA pinpoint when your symptoms became severe enough to stop you from working. In some cases, you might have had the condition for years, but if it didn’t limit your work, the onset date may be later.
Your work activity also matters. Generally speaking, with few limited exceptions, you must earn less than the substantial gainful activity amount (below $1620 gross monthly earnings for 2025) in order to pursue disability. If you continued working after symptoms appeared, Social Security may look at how your condition affected your job. Did you need frequent breaks? Could you only handle lighter tasks? Your ability—or inability—to perform work tasks can influence the onset date.
Personal accounts help fill in the gaps that medical records might leave. You, family members, or caregivers can provide insights about daily struggles, functional limitations, and symptom progression. These statements give context and can support an earlier onset date if the records alone aren’t clear.
Some disabilities are straightforward, like a broken bone or sudden illness, which have a clear start date. Others, such as mental health disorders, chronic pain, or degenerative diseases, develop gradually. In these situations, SSA may analyze symptom patterns and treatment history to estimate the onset date.
Sometimes a disability isn’t immediately diagnosed. In those cases, SSA may rely on the date of official diagnosis, but notes from earlier visits can help show that the disability affected your life before that date. Proper documentation can make a big difference.
If you disagree with the onset date assigned by Social Security, you have the right to appeal the decision. An attorney or representative can gather additional medical evidence or clarify existing records to support an earlier start. Appealing can significantly affect the timing and amount of benefits you receive.
The onset date determines when benefits begin. A date set too late can delay your payments. A correct onset date can ensure you receive benefits for the full period you were disabled. Gathering strong evidence and understanding the SSA’s process gives you the best chance for an accurate determination.
If you’re applying for Social Security Disability, the onset date can make a big difference. Contact us at Regas & Haagtoday for a free consultation and let our team guide you through the process.
Relocating to a new state often comes with many questions, especially for people who receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. One of the biggest concerns is whether benefits will continue or if the move will cause changes. The good news is that SSD benefits are federal, which means they follow you wherever you go in the United States. However, some details may still affect how your benefits are handled. This blog explains what to expect when moving to a new state while receiving SSD benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program, which means your benefits are not tied to one state. If you qualify for SSDI, the amount you receive and the way payments are processed stay the same, no matter where you move. Your monthly benefit is based on your work history and Social Security taxes paid, not on where you live.
While SSDI is federal, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can vary by state. Some states add their own payments to federal SSI benefits. If you are receiving SSI and move to another state, your monthly amount may go up or down depending on state rules. For example, some states provide extra support for housing or medical needs, while others do not.
When you move, it is important to give your new address to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible. This makes sure you continue receiving notices, updates, or medical review requests on time. You can update your address online, by phone, or by visiting a local SSA office. Failing to report a new address could cause delays or missed communication about your benefits.
People who receive SSDI become eligible for Medicare after two years of benefits. Medicare is a federal program, so moving to a new state does not stop your coverage. However, your choice of health plans, such as Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans, will depend on the new state. If you receive Medicaid along with SSI, your coverage will change because Medicaid is a state program. You will need to apply for Medicaid in your new state after moving.
Although your monthly SSDI payment will not change, support services available to people with disabilities may differ by state. These services can include vocational rehabilitation, housing programs, or state-funded assistance. If you rely on these services, it may help to research what your new state offers before you move.
Moving to a different state will not stop your SSDI benefits, but it may affect SSI payments, Medicaid eligibility, or access to local services. The most important step is to update your address with SSA and learn about your new state’s programs. With proper planning, you can continue receiving the support you need without interruption.
If you’re planning a move and have questions about how it may affect your Social Security Disability benefits, the attorneys at Regas & Haag are here to help. Our team has decades of experience guiding Ohio residents through the SSD process and protecting their rights. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get the trusted advice you need to move forward with confidence.
Successfully filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a complex process. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) will evaluate many factors but the core of any successful claim is medical evidence. This documentation serves as the foundation of your case, providing the necessary proof of your disabling condition and its impact on your ability to work. Without a clear record of your diagnosis, treatment, and limitations, it can be very difficult to secure the benefits you deserve.
The SSA gives significant weight to the opinions of medical professionals who have a long-term relationship with a patient. A doctor’s notes should document not only your diagnosis but also a detailed history of your symptoms, the results of physical examinations, and how your condition limits your daily activities and work-related functions. If you have been seeing multiple specialists, all their records must be included in your application.
A strong disability claim relies on objective medical evidence. This includes more than just a diagnosis. The SSA will look for a clear picture of your health, which can be provided through a variety of documents, such as:
Medical evidence must do more than prove that a diagnosis exists; it needs to explain how that condition impacts daily functioning. For instance, an MRI showing a back injury becomes more valuable when a doctor’s notes explain how it prevents long periods of standing or lifting. Similarly, a mental health evaluation is more effective when it outlines difficulties with concentration, handling stress, or maintaining attendance. The more clearly records connect medical conditions to real-world limitations, the stronger the case becomes.
One of the most common errors is failing to consistently see a doctor. Gaps in medical treatment can be interpreted by the SSA as a sign that your condition is not as severe as you claim. Another mistake is relying solely on your own testimony without supporting medical documentation. While your personal story is important, it must be backed by a professional medical record. Additionally, failing to inform your doctors of all your symptoms and limitations can lead to an incomplete medical file, which can hurt your claim.
A qualified attorney can help you gather all the necessary medical evidence, ensuring that your application is complete and well-organized. They understand what the SSA is looking for and can help you identify any missing records or request specific documentation from your doctors. They also have a deep understanding of how to present your medical case effectively to the SSA.
If you’re preparing to apply for SSD benefits or facing a denial, the attorneys at Regas & Haag, are here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and get the determined legal support you deserve.
Introduced into Congress by Rep. John Larson (D-CT), the Save Our Social Security Now Act would reverse President Trump’s Executive Action which deferred the payroll tax contributions of millions of American. At Regas & Haag, we support this act and we encourage everyone to contact your local Congressional districts and corresponding Representatives to let them know that you are against this Executive Action.
Introduced by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Social Security is the foundation of retirement security for our great nation. It provides nearly all workers and their families with essential insurance protections for retirement, disability, or the death of a family breadwinner. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global economic and healthcare crisis. Millions of Americans are relying on their savings to keep food on their table and a roof over their heads. Eliminating the safeguard of Social Security spells potential disaster for millions of working Americans.
Social Security is America’s number-one anti-poverty program, and without it, 15 million seniors (almost half of older Americans) would live in poverty. Additionally, around 4.1 million children receive Social Security benefits each month because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired or deceased. This money helps lift over 1 million American children out of poverty, and eliminating this benefit would ensure these children do not have a future.
We applaud Representative Larson and his long history of protecting and enhancing Social Security. On behalf of Regas & Haag and our clients, we thank you for introducing H.R 8171 to the House. We stand with you in defending Social Security and believe your success in protecting this trust will help ensure the financial future of our clients and Americans everywhere.
Our clients rely on Social Security payments to meet their basic needs. It’s important that the benefit they have paid into is available to them.
Contact your local Representative, and urge them to support keeping our Social Security benefits stable and properly funded.
Here is a list of our local Congressional districts and corresponding Representatives:
Ohio 7th–Bob Gibbs (R)
Ohio 12th–Troy Balderson (R)
Ohio 13th–Tim Ryan (D)
Ohio 16th–Anthony Gonzalez(R)
If you need to apply for Social Security benefits, Regas & Haag can help. Visit our website or contact us with any questions you may have.