Social Security Disability claimants must know their date last insured. A claimant’s date last insured (DLI) is the latest date a claimant can prove an onset of disability and be eligible for SSDI benefits instead of just SSI benefits. It’s important not to let the date come and go. Often claimants become discouraged after a denial and just let time go by without appealing the denial, starting a new claim or going back to work and paying in payroll taxes.
Claimants should do one of the three. Every quarter that goes by without a pending claim or payroll taxes being paid in brings a claimant closer to their DLI.
Generally, a claimant must work 5 of the last 10 years to remain insured and eligible for SSDI benefits. Check your date and make sure you know where you stand.
Remember SSDI benefits resemble a long term disability insurance policy; payroll taxes are the premiums paid for the benefits.