If you are granted SSI benefits your “onset” date for your SSI claim will usually be the date you filed the application. This means that your retroactive benefits will usually only go back to your application date regardless of whether or not you became disabled before you filed your claim.

The Social Security Administration sometimes schedules examinations with their contracted physicians.  These doctors are often general practitioners and sometimes psychiatrists.  The purpose of the examination is to get an “independent” opinion regarding the nature and severity of the claimant’s medical conditions and restrictions. Unfortunately, the opinion of the SSA doctor is rarely “independent”.  Instead it […]