Your filing date is the day on which you actually submit your application for Social Security Disability payments. This date may be different from the date on which you filed your Protected Document, which is determined by the date on which you initially informed the Social Security Administration of your desire to make a claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
If you apply for Social Security Disability payments, you must meet certain qualifying standards regarding your work history during the last ten years. Generally, you must have worked five out of the last ten years (this does vary somewhat for younger or older workers).
If you file for disability, you must meet certain standards on the date of filing, including the quantity of other income you receive and the value of any assets you hold. In general, if you are single, you may not own more than $2,000 in assets (excluding your primary residence and one vehicle), or $3,000 in joint assets if you are married on the date of filing.
Generally, you are better off filing a Social Security Impairment claim as soon as you anticipate you will be disabled for more than a year or that your disability will be terminal. Even if you do not wish to initiate the procedure, you might consider filing an intent to claim in order to get a protected filing date.
Once you’ve established a filing date, even if you don’t pursue your claim further, you’ll have established the date your impairment began, which may assist you subsequently get Social Security Disability approval. Establishing a filing date can also help you get additional back pay if your Social Security Disability claim is granted.