Waiting too long to apply for benefits is one of the most common mistakes that people make regarding Social Security Disability. If you have a disability that prevents you from working full time or working at all, our Social Security lawyer in Orange advises that you act fast.

Medical Information

One problem with waiting too long to apply for disability benefits is that the Social Security Administration uses the most current medical records to make their determination. If you are currently undergoing treatment it is best to apply for benefits now when there is an abundance of medical documentation available. If you wait to apply, you run the risk of important medical documents becoming outdated. While the SSA will still take this information into consideration, they will require you to undergo additional medical examinations that could have been avoided.

Back Pay

It is important to apply for disability as soon as possible so that you are not limited in the amount of back pay that you are entitled to. You are eligible to collect benefits dating back to when your conditions started, but this is limited to one year before you apply for benefits. For example, if you have a disabling condition this year and wait three years to apply for benefits, you are missing out on two years’ worth of benefits.

It is wise to apply for disability as soon as you believe that your disabling condition will last twelve months or longer. Some people mistakenly believe that they can’t apply for benefits until they have been disabled for a year, they are wrong. Contact our Social Security lawyer in Orange to begin applying for your benefits.