To quote an old lottery slogan, “you can’t win, if you don’t play.” It may seem obvious, but you cannot receive Social Security disability benefits if you do not apply.
If fact, many Social Security regulations about Social Security eligibility start with this simple requirement:
Step 1: You apply.
As I have written about before, Social Security uses the protected filing date (PFD) to decide how far back your benefits can go.
From time to time, I receive a phone call like this:
I’ve been disabled since 1994, but Social Security only wants to pay me 12 months of back benefits!
I see. When did you apply for benefits?
Last month…
I then explain how Social Security pays back benefits using the protected filing date as the starting point.
Here is what it comes down to: if you want Social Security benefits, you have to apply!
