I Won My SSD Claim. When Will I Get My Back Pay?
The path to securing Social Security disability (SSD) benefits can be a long one. Even if your benefits are approved following your initial application, you can typically expect to wait three to five months for a decision. That timeline may be longer when the Social Security Administration (SSA) is especially busy or the SSA needs to ask for additional information.
If you have to appeal the decision, the wait will be much longer. Exactly how long the process will take depends in part on how many levels of appeal you have to go through and in part on where in the country you are located. All together, the SSD application and appeals process can range from several months to two or three years–in some cases, it may be even longer.
When Do Social Security Disability Benefits Start to Accrue?
The good news about the SSD process is that while you may have to wait for a decision, you don’t have to wait to start accruing benefits. You won’t actually receive SSD payments while the process moves forward, of course. But if you are ultimately approved, your right to benefits will be backdated.
That means that when your disability benefits are approved, you’ll usually be entitled to back pay.
How Does SSA Determine the Start Date of SSD Benefits?
The SSD back pay timeline varies depending on when you applied for benefits in relation to when your disability started. In part, that’s because there is a five-month waiting period for benefits after your disability starts.
For example, if you became disabled in January and applied for benefits in March, your benefits wouldn’t date back to your application date–the five month waiting period would apply, starting in January. So, you would start to accrue benefits in July. It’s also partly because in some cases, the SSA will backdate your benefits for up to a year prior to your application date. For example, if you became disabled in February of 2023 but didn’t apply for benefits until September of 2024, your benefits could be backdated 12 months.
Determining exactly how far back you are entitled to benefits can be tricky, and an experienced SSD benefits advocate can be your best resource.
When Will I Get My SSD Back Pay?
When your SSD claim is approved, you will get a letter from the SSA. Typically, you’ll receive your first regular monthly benefit payment in approximately 30 to 45 days. However, if you applied right away when you became disabled and were approved quickly, your 5-month waiting period may not yet have expired.
The SSD back pay timeline is slightly different. Most people receive their back pay in one lump sum within about 60 days after approval. However, in some cases it takes a little longer.
Issues that May Affect the SSD Back Pay Timeline
There are several possible reasons that it may take longer to get your SSD back pay.
- The SSA is missing information or has incorrect information. This may happen when you have moved and didn’t update your address with the SSA, or when you haven’t responded to a request for information such as your bank account information.
- Your back pay is being offset to cover debt to the government, such as unpaid federal taxes or student loan debt.
- The SSA has received a garnishment order for a domestic support obligation, such as spousal support or child support.
- You received workers’ compensation for part of the time and the SSA needs to adjust your back pay.
What if I Get Both SSD and SSI?
Some people who qualify for Social Security disability also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI benefits are needs-based, and are only available to people who are 65 and older or disabled.
If you have applied for both SSD and SSI, those applications will be assessed separately. The timeline for a determination may be different, and back pay is handled somewhat differently. For example, with SSI benefits start to accrue either the month after you apply or after you become eligible, whichever is later. You will not receive SSI back pay for any time before you filed your application.
The combination of SSI and SSD benefits can be complicated. For example, since SSI is need-based, a lump sum SSD distribution you receive as back pay may disqualify you from receiving SSI. However, there may be ways to protect or reinstate your eligibility. An experienced disability benefits advocate can tell you how this interaction might play out in your case and how you can best protect your interests.
Is There Any Way to Get Back Pay Faster?
There is no way to expedite SSD back pay, but there are ways you can impact the timeline at every step. For example, ensuring that your application is complete and accurate and that you have provided all necessary documentation will help avoid delays in the application process and improve your chances of approval without the need for an appeal.
Filing appeals promptly rather than waiting until near the end of the 60 days allowed can help, too. However, you should never rush an appeal. The most important thing is to take full advantage of the opportunity to provide additional information and documentation.
At every stage of the process, it’s important to respond promptly to any requests from the SSA, and to keep the SSA up to date on your current contact information. Be sure to read any communications from the SSA carefully, and if you have questions, get help right away.
Disability Help Group is Here for You
When you’re embarking on a complex process and don’t necessarily have in-depth knowledge of the process, the right advocate can make all the difference. At Disability Help Group, our advocates are dedicated to putting their knowledge and experience to work for people seeking disability benefits. Whether you are just preparing to apply for SSD or have been denied and want to appeal, we can help. Call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form HERE to learn more.
