My caseworker gave me bad advice about backdating my claim

I started my disability claim back in February (for chronic back issues) and my caseworker told me not to worry about backdating it. She said it was "too complicated" and would just slow things down. Well, I went along with it because she seemed knowledgeable, but then I found out from a friend that I could have gotten benefits from my last day of work in January. That would have been an extra 6 weeks of payments (about $2,400 in my case). I called the SSA office in Fresno and they confirmed I missed the window because I listened to her. Now I'm stuck waiting on an appeal that might not even go through. Has anyone else had a caseworker steer them wrong on something this basic? What did you do about it?

2 comments

2 Comments

karenm491mo ago

Did you read that thread on SSI backdating mistakes on the Disability Benefits subreddit?

uma_wilson792mo ago

Wait, your caseworker actually told you backdating was "too complicated"? That's insane. That's literally the most basic part of filing a disability claim, like day one stuff. I'm genuinely shocked someone who works at the SSA would say that unless they were brand new or just completely checked out. Missing out on $2,400 because of bad advice is brutal, I'd be steaming mad.