IATRIDIS

OPINION AND ORDER

Plaintiff Elias Iatridis filed a complaint on July 21, 2005, seeking review of the Commissioner’s decision denying his application for disability benefits. The Commissioner answered the complaint on December 27, 2005, and the parties filed a joint stipulation on May 12, 2006.

BACKGROUND

I

On February 10, 2000, plaintiff applied for disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act (“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 423 , claiming an inability to work since May 11, 1995, due to multiple injuries and surgeries. Certified Administrative Rec ord (“A.R.”) 97-99, 202. On February 8, 2002, plaintiff applied for disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) program of Title XVI of the Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1382 (a). A.R. 9, 21. Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Stevenson (“the ALJ”) held an administrative hearing on June 26 and August 27, 2002. A.R. 81, 1429-1504. On September 27, 2002, the ALJ found plaintiff is not entitled to Title II benefits, since he was not disabled prior to December 31, 1996, the date he was last insured for Title II purposes, but is disabled for SSI purposes as of February 8, 2002, the date he filed his SSI application.…