BASIC (07-08)

A. Initial Entitlement Cases

In most Title II childhood disability cases, a precise onset date is not necessary as long as disability is found to have begun prior to the attainment of age 22. A precise onset is necessary to determine the first month of entitlement when all the following conditions are met:

• The application is filed before attainment of age 23;

• Disability began within 12 months of the date the application is filed for CDB-D claims and within 6 months of the date the application is filed for CDB-R claims; and

• Disability is established after attainment of age 18.

B. Reentitlement Cases

In reentitlement cases, a precise onset date is not necessary when the following conditions are met:

• An exact date cannot be readily ascertained;

• The evidence does establish that the individual was disabled prior to the expiration of the reentitlement period; and

• A precise date is not material.

Onset should be the earliest date that can be established based upon all the evidence of record. The re-entitlement period begins with the month following the last month of previous entitlement to childhood disability benefits, and ends with the close of the 84th month (7 years) following the month the most recent entitlement to childhood disability terminated because the individual ceased to be under a disability.

NOTE: Effective October 1, 2004, P.L. 108-203 allows reentitlement to childhood disability benefits after the usual 84 months (7 years) if the beneficiary's previous entitlement to disability terminated because of the performance of substantial gainful activity (SGA).

References:

• RS 00203.015 Child’s Benefits – Reentitlement Requirements

• DI 25501.330 Establishing an Established Onset Date (EOD) for Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB) Claims

• DI 25501.340 Established Onset Date (EOD) in Disabled Minor Child (DMC) Cases

• DI 10115.035 Requirements for Reentitlement