Bill Gordon and Associates

The amount of Social Security benefits you receive depends on a number of things, including the date determined by the Social Security Administration that you stopped working because of your medical condition. This date is also known as the “onset date.” Note that this may actually differ from the date that you actually stopped working:

• if you stopped working because of reasons other than disability, the “onset date” is likely to be later than the date you stopped working.
• If you stopped working because of disability, the Social Security Administration may determine that you were still able to work. In this case, the Social Security Administration may either determine that the “onset date” is later than the date you stopped working, or deny your claim altogether. In either of these two cases, you can appeal; whether you choose to do so or not is a decision to be made privately between you and your lawyer.
• If you continued to work after you became disabled, but your work no longer constituted “substantial gainful activity,” then the “onset date” may be earlier than the date that you stopped working.

Other things that can affect the amount of benefits that are owed to you include:

• For Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB), your work history or the amount of Social Security taxes you have paid; and
• for Supplemental Security Income, your income and the state you live in. Generally the more income you have, the less you get.
• For both programs, the monthly amount you receive may be reduced if you receive Workers’ Compensation or certain other types of public benefits.

The rules determining the amount of benefits are complex. Feel free to call us at 505-265-1000 for more information.