WHAT IS AOD? WHY IT MATTERS.

AOD stands for "Alleged Onset Date."

It is important because it determines

1. When benefits can start, and how much your back pay will be (and)

2. The date you become eligible for Medicare health insurance.

A very recent AOD could get you zero back pay. A remote (distant) AOD could get you tens of thousands of dollars in back pay.

In considering your AOD, here are some of the factors that must be determined:

1. When did you last work?

2. When did you first meet the rules for disability?

3. What medical evidence supports your Alleged Onset Date?

One of the things I try to do is carry the AOD back as far in time as possible. The earlier the AOD, the more benefits you're able to get. It's important to get older medical records--to establish the start of disability as far back as possible.

Social Security can pay retroactive benefits up to 12 months before the application was filed.