Here is a question received from a reader that touches on the issue of  how to choose the correct "onset date" for disability when there have been multiple, unsuccessful job attempts:

I have a brother who is a professional businessman who has tried many times to maintain a job through a devastating illness.  Over the past two years he has had a job for a few months unable to do the job and the company has let him go , he was able to collect unemployment , thought and hoped he could do another job, same thing happens, unable to complete days, lots of missed days, they let him go, he collects unemployment..repeat scenario three more times.  I have convinced him to apply for social security disability (he should have done it some time ago) but what would you recommend for using the date of unable to work?   Also, he has no more savings and unemployment runs out nest month..then nothing.. should he apply for SSI as well?

1) I have a lawyer and I'm waiting for my ALJ hearing ( 1 1/2 to 2 years, I was told at the SS office) Due to financial issues, I was unable to continue treatment with the doctor that first diagnosed me with lupus, firbomyalgia and MCTD, and I now go to a charity clinic. My lawyer says that the date of onset of my disease, which my original doctor diagnosed, does not matter, but the illness coupled with the date I stopped working does. I am working now, going from part time to half time within 6 months, because of the pain my condition causes, even though it is a sedentary job. Is my lawyer correct, that it doesn't matter when I was diagnosed?

Also, he says that working part time will not affect my disability case unless I make more than 800 dollars a month. I live in Indiana.

2) I have been denied disability because my wife has a retirement fund from her state retirement. Does her money count when I am disabled and unable to work?

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