You just had your Social Security disability hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). As you check the status of your case while waiting on a decision you will encounter these terms:
Post Hearing Review: The ALJ is still reviewing your case before making a decision. He/She is reviewing the testimony given at your hearing and/or reviewing the medical evidence to see whether you meet the rules for a disability benefit. No decision has been reached.
AOD - Alleged Onset Date: This is the date on which you allege your qualifying disability began. This is also the date at which you want your disability benefits to begin. The ALJ may accept this date if supported by the evidence OR he/she may assign a new date that he/she feels is more in line with the medical evidence.
EOD - Established Onset Date: This is the official date of your disability onset as established by the judge (ALJ). It may be the same as your AOD or it may be a different date. This is the date your disability benefits start (after the required 5-months waiting period for all SSDI cases).
Fully Favorable Decision: Awards you basically everything you asked for in your Social Security disability application. All factors, including the AOD, agrees with your statements in the application. This is the best decision possible under the law and will result in the largest back pay award available.
Partially Favorable Decision: Finds that you are disabled and entitled to benefits but starting at a date later than your AOD. For example, you allege that your disability began on March 1, 2024 but the judge finds that your disability didn't begin until November 1, 2004 (seven months later than you alleged). Your monthly benefit is not affected; however, your past due benefits will be for a shorter period than you requested. Thus, the amount of back pay is reduced.
Unfavorable Decision. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has found that you have not been disabled under the Social Security rules and that no benefit is payable.
Note: Anything less than a Fully Favorable decision may be appealed within 60 days from the decision date.
Decision Writing Process (in Decision Writing): The judge has made a decision in your case and it has been sent to a decision writer to be written up. You are not able to see the decision because it has not yet been written. The writing process can take from 14 days to 60 days.
How is the decision delivered? The claimant will receive a written decision from the ALJ, usually within about 60 days of the hearing date; however, a decision can sometimes take longer. The claimant (you) and your lawyer/representative, if any, will each get a copy of the decision letter.
Benefit Explanation Letter: Within about 30 days of the ALJ's decision letter, you will receive a benefit explanation letter that will state the amount of benefits being sent to you and the date on which you may expect your benefits to arrive. This letter comes from the Social Security Administration, not from the judge's office.
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If you need help with the complex world of Social Security disability, please contact The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL.
Call: (256) 799-0297
Email: ForsytheFirm@gmail.com
Visist: https://forsythefirm.wixsite.com/website
FREE CONSULTATIONS. NO FEE UNLESS YOU WIN. NO UPFRONT COST
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