THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

The Social Security Adminstration (SSA) speaks its own language.  It uses abbreviations, terms and phrases that the average person simply can't understand.  They are like a "foreign language."

Here are a few Social Security terms that you may encounter if you're trying to get them to pay disability benefits.  Knowing these terms can make life easier.

Alleged Onset Date (AOD) - This is the date the claimant states as the beginning of disability.  It is often the day after the final day at work.  It is also the date you are asking to be paid from.  Back pay often dates back to the AOD, so getting this date right is critical.

Date Last Insured (DLI) - This is the date on which a claimant loses their insured status for disability benefits.  It applies to filing a NEW claim.  For example, if your DLI is December 31, 2019, you are no longer insured for new disability claims after that date.  Yes, SSDI does expire a few years after a person stops working and paying into the Social Security Trust fund.

Established Onset Date (EOD) - This is date on which Social Security determines the claimant first became disabled and eligible for benefits.  It may be different than the Alleged Onset Date (above).

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - is a program for low income individuals who may not have worked and paid into the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. SSI may be available for individuals who are elderly or disabled and who have restricted income and financial resources.  While SSI is handled by the Social Security Adminstration (SSA), it is not the same as "Social Security disability."

Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) - is the maximum work activity that a claimant can perform, in spite of their impairments.  For example, a person may be limited to sedentary work, or light work. Sedentary work only requires lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally and standing no more than about 2 hours per 8-hour shift.  Light work requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally and to stand or walk up to 6 hours per day.  An RFC may also include mental limitations involving such things as memory, concentration or following instructions, etc. 

Treating Source Statement (TSS) - is a detailed written statement by the claimant's doctor, estimating the claimant's functional limitations.  In other words, it estimates how long the claimant can sit/stand/walk, the maximum he/she can lift, and other limitations that may effect the ability to work. 

Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is a an estimate of the monthly disability benefit an individual could receive if found disabled on a certain date.  The PIA changes slightly from time to time.

Past Relevant Work (PRW) - refers to all the work that a claimant has performed within the last 15 year period, as long as that work

• was performed at a substantial gainful level (full time)--
• was performed long enough to learn how to do the job

Vocational Expert (VE) - a vocational rehabilitation counselor who is called by Social Security to attend a hearing.  The VE is there to answer the judge's questions about past work and other work which exist in the national economy.

There are other terms that may be encountered.  These are a few of the more common terms associated with Social Security disability.