What does “Date Last Insured” mean?

For any individual considering applying for Social Security Disability, there are a number of different factors that must be taken into consideration.  One of the most important factors is an individual’s “date last insured,” often abbreviated as  “DLI.”  This date can determine whether an individual is eligible to obtain Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or if they are only potentially eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability and Date Last Insured

In order to be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSDI), an individual must have obtained enough quarters of coverage to be considered insured under the program.  A person earns a quarter of coverage by working in a given quarter during a calendar year and paying Social Security and Medicare taxes and a person can earn up to four quarters of coverage in one year.  Once a person has obtained a quarter of coverage, she is eligible for coverage under the SSDI program up until a certain point in time.  This point in time where the coverage for SSDI lapses is referred to as the “date last insured.”  After the date last insured passes, a person is no longer eligible for the SSDI program if their disability begins after that date because that person no longer has coverage under the program.

Due to this, it is very important for an individual to be aware of his or her date last insured when applying for Social Security Disability Benefits.  If a person’s disability begins before his or her Date Last Insured, then he or she can be eligible for SSDI benefits.  An individual can apply and obtain SSDI benefits after his or her date last insured has passed but, in order to do so, he or she must prove that his or her disability began before the date last insured had passed.

What if my Date Last Insured has passed?

If your date last insured has passed and you are unable to prove that your disability began prior to the date last insured, you will not be eligible to receive SSDI benefits.  However, this does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to obtain disability benefits. Depending upon your income and assets, you may be eligible for SSI benefits, as the SSI program is a separately administered program with its own eligibility requirements.

Because there is so much complexity and so many factors involved in obtaining Social Security Disability Income, it is important to obtain an experienced Social Security Disability attorney in the event you are seeking to obtain disability benefits.  Our office will do everything in our power to aid you in the process of obtaining Social Security Disability benefits.  Contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation.