CAN YOU WAIT TOO LONG TO FILE FOR SSDI?

Can you wait too long to file for Social Security disability benefits?

Yes -- because your insured status may expire a few years after you stop working. When you stop working you no longer have FICA (the Social Security tax) deducted and paid. Your work credits begin to "fall away" or become too old to count. You lose your insured status with Social Security.

Generally, if you haven't worked in 5 years, you are no longer covered for disability benefits by Social Security. So, it's to your advantage to file as soon as possible when you meet the technical rules for SSDI.

You should consider filing for disability when:

1. You become unable to work and expect to be unable to work for at least 12 straight months.

2. You stop working at Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025 this means you are not earning at least $1,620 per month (gross) in wages or self-employment.

Cathy is an interesting example of someone waiting too long to file. She worked for 15 years but stopped working in 2016 due to some health issues. Her health steadily declined but she didn't consider filing for disability. Finally, in 2025, Cathy contacted a lawyer about filing a new claim. When the lawyer checked, her Date Last Insured (DLI) was December 31, 2021. In short, she has had no SSDI coverage since December 31, 2021. {No real names are used in this post].

It will be extremely difficult for Cathy to get Social Security disability benefits because she has a remote date last insured (DLI). To put it bluntly, she has waited too long to file a claim.

Do You Have a Disability Case?

This is a question best answered after a careful review by a Social Security disability attorney/advocate. A free consultation with a disability lawyer will help evaluate how strong your case is. Unfortunately, there are many myths, urban legends, and misinformation about Social Security disability. Well meaning friends, family members or coworkers may give you erroneous advice or information. So talk to someone who has real life experience adjudicating disability claims.

The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville will give you a free consultation without obligation. If you don't meet the rules for SSDI, we'll tell you without wasting your time. If you have a case we can help you with it, from application to appeals. Start with a phone call. (256) 799-0297.