This is a common question.
The most important thing to do is get your application on file. Otherwise you may lose some of your disability benefits.
The reason is that SSI benefits are only awarded from the date of filing your application.
This means that if the Social Security Disability Judge says you were disabled on January 1, 2010 but you did not file for SSI until January 1, 2012 then you can only get benefits from January 1, 2012 forward.
If you are eligible for Title II or what is often called SSDI, then for most purposes you can only can go back 12 months on your back benefits.
Once again if you file on January 1, 2012 for benefits and Social Security says you were disabled as of January 1, 2009, then you are only allowed to go back to January 1, 2011 to pick up back benefits.
This shows how important it is to file for benefits as soon as possible. You do not want to lose any of your disability benefits that you have earned.
Remember, if you file for Social Security Disability benefits and can go back to work then you are not penalized.
So there is no good reason to delay in filing.
Another key is make sure you tell Social Security about all your medical records so that they can go back as far as possible and potentially pick up additional benefits.
Questions about how to improve your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.