SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY TERMS

"Each profession speaks to itself in its own language," someone said.  Social Security is no different.  Here are a few of the terms you will hear when lawyers or other professionals speak of Social Security disability. Definitions are given in that context.

Alleged Onset Date (AOD) - the date on which the claimant alleges his disability to have begun.  

Established Onset Date (EOD) - the date a judge or other decision maker decides that the claimant's disability began.  The EOD may the same as the AOD or a different date.

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) - a special judge appointed by the Social Security Administration to hear disputes involving Social Security disability issues.  The primary function of the ALJ is to hear appeals of claims that have been denied.

Date Last Insured (DLI) - the last date that a worker is insured under Title 2 of the Social Security Act.  A claim for disability benefits must be filed by this date in order to be covered.  The coverage period is determined by how many quarters of coverage the worker has accumulated - and when.

 - Often called "SSI" or "Title XVI," this is a benefit for the poor and resource-restriSupplemental Security Incomected who become disabled or blind.  It is unlike Social Security Disability (Title 2) in several ways.  The maximum federal benefit in 2012 is $698 per month for an individual.  Claimants must have very limited financial resources and income to qualify.  Benefits are paid from the general US budget, not from the Social Security disability trust fund.  Applicants are not required to have worked in order to qualify for benefits, which is a major difference.  SSI is administered by Social Security and the medical qualifications for disability are the same as for Social Security disability.

Title II (2) or Social Security Disability (SSD) - The "regular disability" program provided to insured workers by Social Security.  This insurance is obtained by working and paying FICA taxes into the Social Security disability trust fund.   As a general rule, a worker must have worked 5 out of the past 10 years to be insured.  This rule varies for younger workers.

Appeals Council - A group of judges in Falls Church, VA. who review cases that have been denied by an ALJ and appealed by the claimant or his representative.  It can take 2 years or more to get a case before the Appeals Council.  The Council may take one of three actions on an appeal:  (1) Refuse to review the case, leaving the ALJ's decision unchanged.  (2)  Reverse the ALJ's decision and award some or all of the benefits.  (3) Remand the case back to the ALJ for a new hearing, or for other specified consideration.  Remand is the most common "relief" provided by the Appeals Council if it takes any action at all. Only in about 2 percent of cases will the Council reverse the ALJ's decision and grant awards on its own.