Date Last Insured

This is an issue that comes up from time to time with people who have been out of work for long periods. In order to be eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits, you have to be insured for the benefits. To become insured, you pay your premium through your payroll taxes, i.e. "fica". You earn credits per quarter based upon the amount of your wages, and after you work for enough quarters, depending upon your age, you become insured for social security disability benefits should become unable to work.

I like to use the example of car insurance to explain this issue. To obtain insurance coverage, you must pay a premium. Once you stop paying your premium, your insurance coverage will lapse. If you have an accident after the coverage lapses, you will not receive anything from your insurance company.

This concept works the same way with Social Security. If you can prove you became disabled before your date last insured, you may be eligible for benefits. If the evidence establishes disability after your date last insured, you will likely not be eligible for benefits. The date last insured does not prohibit you from filing a claim after that date, and the concept does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.