Until 1997, Social Security benefits were paid on the 3rd of each month. That was true whether you were receiving retirement benefits or Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). Now, the date that your disability pay arrives depends on the type of benefit you receive and your birth date.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) processes payments for several different programs. A disabled person may receive SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or both. SSDI benefits are based on your work history, just like your Social Security retirement benefits. SSI is a needs-based program that is administered by the SSA but is funded separately.
Here’s what you can expect if you are receiving SSDI, SSI or both.
SSDI Disability Payment Schedule
If you started receiving SSDI benefits after 1997, your birthday will determine the date you receive your payment. Under the current Social Security disability payment schedule, f your birthday falls between:
1st-10th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the second Wednesday of every month.
11th-20th of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the third Wednesday of every month.
21st-31st of a month, SSDI checks or direct deposit will arrive on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
If you received benefits before 1997, your SSDI payment date will be on the third day of the month. It does not matter what day your birthday falls on.
SSI Payment Schedule
While SSDI payment dates are spread throughout the month based on your birth date, all SSI payments are made on the same date: the first day of the month. If you receive both SSI and SSDI, your payments will be made separately.
How Does the SSA Treat Weekends and Holidays?
Since most SSDI payment dates fall on Wednesdays, that payment schedule is generally not disrupted by federal holidays, and those dates obviously never fall on Saturday or Sunday. That’s not true for SSI payments, which are scheduled for the first of the month, nor for those SSDI payments that are made on the third day of the month.
When the first or third day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, those payments are made on the last regular business day before the scheduled payment date. When this happens, the recipient may get two SSI payments or SSDI payments in the same calendar month and then none in the subsequent month. For example, in 2025 SSI recipients will receive one payment on August 1 and another on August 29th. That’s because the 30th and 31s of August fall on Saturday and Sunday, and September 1 is Labor Day.
SSDI and SSI Combined Payments Schedule
If you receive SSDI and SSI payments together, you will receive your SSI payment on the first day of the month and your SSDI payment on the third of the month.
How Long Does it Take to Receive SSDI Payments?
How long it takes to receive your monthly benefits and back pay after you’ve been approved for SSDI benefits varies. Most recipients start getting benefits one to two months after approval, and back pay usually arrives during that same time frame. But, the SSA says it may take three to five months to receive back pay, and some claimants report receiving it within just a few weeks.
If you apply for SSDI immediately upon becoming disabled and your claim is approved quickly, you may have to wait a little longer. That’s because there is a five month waiting period between onset of your disability and the time you become eligible for benefits. So, for example, if you become disabled in January and are approved for benefits in April, you’ll have to wait a few months for your benefits to kick in.
You won’t have to guess at this, though. Your SSDI award letter will include a “date of entitlement,” which is the first month you will be eligible to receive benefits. If you don’t start receiving benefits on schedule, you should contact the SSA for help.
How to Receive Your SSDI and SSI Payments
Social Security offers several ways to send your SSDI or SSI payments.
For example:
Direct Deposit, which is probably the safest way to receive your disability payments since they cannot be lost or stolen if deposited directly into your bank account.
The Direct Express Card program, which credits money directly to a swipe-able card.
SSDI recipients can still receive their payments by mail. It is better to receive payments through one of Social Security’s preferred methods to avoid the possibility of lost or stolen checks. Social Security asks that you not contact them about lost checks until the fourth day after the first of the month. SSI recipients must receive their funds electronically, using one of the two bulleted options above.
Tax on Social Security Benefits
You may have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefit, depending on your income level. In 2025, SSDI income–like Social Security retirement income–is only taxable when the total of your other income plus 50% of your Social Security income exceeds a certain threshold. The applicable cut-offs are:
$25,000 if your tax filing status is single, head of household, qualifying surviving spouse, or married filing separately and have lived apart from your spouse for the full year
$32,000 for married couples filing jointly
$0 for married couples filing separately who lived together at any point during the tax year
SSI income is not taxable.
Social Security doesn’t automatically withhold taxes, but does offer voluntary tax withholding from your benefit. You can choose this option by completing Form W-4V. There are specific percentages to choose from. You can obtain the form from Social Security, request it from the IRS, or ask your representative for a copy.
Generally, you would receive a refund when filing taxes the following year if you opted to voluntarily have taxes withheld and you overpaid.
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Can I Get SSDI if I am 60 years old? You can get disability benefits up until full retirement age. Currently, full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. Generally, winning a disability claim gets easier for people as they get older.
SSDI vs. Early Retirement
You can file for early retirement benefits once you turn 62. However, collecting early retirement rather than filing for SSDI has some drawbacks. If you take early retirement, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced. The amount Social Security reduces your benefit depends on the number of months you have until your reach full retirement age. If you apply and get approved for SSDI, you will receive 100% of your monthly benefit. That benefit continues when it switches over to Social Security when you reach full retirement age.
Filing for SSDI at 60 years old
SSDI benefits can be time consuming and challenging. However, if you have the proper documentation to support your claim, you can win your claim. SSDI requires that your medical conditions prevent you from working. Additionally, you must be incapable of working for at least 12 months. Luckily, Social Security can make it easier to receive SSDI when they are close to retirement age.
SSDI at 60: medical evidence
Social Security has to figure out how your conditions interfere with your daily activities. They do this by reviewing your medical records. Therefore, you need to see your doctors regularly for your conditions. Additionally, you should be in treatment with specialists. Frequently, records kept by specialists document your symptoms and problems better than your general doctor. Your doctors can also help your claim by completing a form explaining how your conditions impact your functioning, known as an RFC form.
SSDI at 60: grid rules
Social Security considers several factors to decide if a person qualifies for SSDI. These factors include a person’s age, education, residual functional capacity (RFC) and their work history. Your RFC includes what you can do despite your medical conditions. Once Social Security figures out your RFC, they consider the grid rules.
SSDI at 60: applying the grid rules
Once Social Security figures out your RFC and you past work, they will look to the grid rules. Basically, the grid rules allow Social Security to approve your SSDI claim even if you can do other work. Social Security has separate charts for different physical categories. Specifically, they include sedentary, light and medium physical categories.
SSDI at 60: Your past work
In order to apply the grid rules, Social Security must categorize your past work. The grid rules only apply if you can’t return to any of your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. Past relevant work includes work you’ve done within the past 15 years. Additionally, it should have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work. Your past work gets classified under one of the physical categories.
SSDI at 60: your job skills
Social Security looks at the type of skills required to do your past work. Social Security considers whether any skills you learned at your previous jobs could be used to do something else. If you do, Social Security considers them “transferable skills”. Generally, people who performed semi-skilled or skilled jobs will have developed skills they could use doing something else. This can make it harder to apply the grid rules. However, at age 60, there must be little to no additional training or adjustment. Some jobs require such specialized skills, Social Security will decide that the worker doesn’t have transferable skills.
SSDI at 60: your RFC
Your RFC can include both mental and physical limitations. Social Security evaluates your ability to perform activities required for you to work. You must show that your medical conditions interfere with your daily activities. Social Security reviews your medical records to figure out your RFC.
Example 1: applying the grid rules at 60
Julia, a 61 year old woman applied for SSDI due to coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. She also suffers from depression. Julia previously worked as a cook. Her job required her to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at times. Social Security found that she could not perform her job as a cook. She had no transferable skills. Social Security awarded Julia disability benefits.
Example 2: applying the grid rules at 60
Frank, a 60 year old man applied for SSDI due to a right shoulder injury. He previously worked as a janitor. He also had past work as a construction worker. Frank has difficulty lifting and carrying heavy items with his right arm. In fact, he can’t pick up more than 15 pounds. Social Security found that Frank could perform light work. Frank has no transferable skills. Therefore, Social Security approved Frank’s SSDI claim.
Disability Help Group: SSDI at 60 case study
For example, Matthew applied for SSDI because he had arthritis in his knees. He was 62 years old and worked as a fork-lift operator in a warehouse for many years. Matthew had only visited his primary care doctor. His doctor gave him a referral to physical therapy. Unfortunately, Matthew as denied for SSDI. He then contacted Disability Help Group for help with his appeal. Our advocate suggested that he get x-rays and imaging of his knees. She also suggested that he get a prescription for the cane he used. Matthew followed his advocate’s advice. On appeal, Matthew’s additional medical evidence helped show that he could not return to his job as a fork-lift operator. Therefore, Social Security applied the grid rules and approved his case.
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What Are the GRIDS for SSDI? Social Security has special disability rules for people over the age 50. Social Security uses a chart called the Medical-Vocational guidelines to evaluate your claim known as the “grid rules”. The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case.
SSDI GRIDS factors
Social Security understands that it may be harder for people over 50 to do new or different work. First, Social Security considers whether your conditions meet specific requirements under their medical listings. Often, these conditions can be very difficult to meet. Next, Social Security considers the GRIDS. The grid rules consider several factors. These include:
Your age, education or work history
Skills from your past work
Your residual functional capacity (RFC)
SSDI GRIDS and your age
Generally, Social Security divides people into four age groups. Typically, if you are 50 or older, Social Security can use the GRIDS to approve your case even if you can do other work. The rules can be even more favorable for people over 55. These age groups include:
Younger individuals: ages 18-49
Closely approaching advanced age: ages 50-54
Advanced age: ages 55-59
Closely approaching retirement age: ages 60 and older
SSDI GRIDS and your education
Social Security considers your education level. Generally, the less education you have, the harder it would be to find other types of jobs. Social Security used to consider a person’s ability to communicate in English. However, a recent rule change removed this factor. Education categories include:
Illiteracy – inability to read or write in any language
Marginal – completed 6th grade or less in any country
Limited – completed 7th through 11th grade in any country
High school education and above in any country
SSDI GRIDS and you work history
Social Security must categorize your past work before applying the GRIDS. The GRIDS only apply if you can’t perform any of your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. This includes work performed in the last 15 years. It must have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work. Providing accurate information about your past work can be very important to your SSDI case.
SSDI GRIDS and physical levels of work
Social Security divides types of work by their physical requirements. For people 50 or older, the more physical your past work was, the easier it is for Social Security to apply the GRIDS. The physical categories of work include:
Sedentary – sitting jobs that don’t require lifting more than 10 pounds
Light – usually require more standing and walking and don’t require lifting more than 20 pounds
Medium – requires lifting between 25-50 pounds
Heavy – requires lifting more than 50 pounds
SSDI GRIDS and job skills
Social Security looks at any skills required to perform your past work. Sometimes, skills from your past work can be used to do different types of jobs. Generally, these skills can be used in other jobs with little or no additional training. Social Security refers to these skills as “transferable skills”. If Social Security finds that you have transferable skills to other work, the GRIDS may be harder to apply.
SSDI GRIDS and getting around transferable skills
However, there can be ways around transferable skills. Typically, this can be done if you have a mental health impairment. Mental health impairments include conditions such as depression or anxiety. However, they can also include side effects from medications or the impact pain has on mental functioning. When a person has medical evidence documenting mental health impairment, Social Security must evaluate their ability to perform the mental demands of work. Usually, Social Security concludes a person can only perform simple, routine tasks when there is evidence of mental health impairment. This limitation eliminates transferable skills.
SSDI GRIDS and your RFC
Social Security defines residual functional capacity (RFC) as what you can do despite your limitations. An RFC includes both physical and mental limitations. Social Security determines your RFC based on your medical records. They can also consider opinions from your treating doctors. Social Security cannot determine your RFC from a diagnosis alone. Therefore, you must see your doctors regularly. You should see specialists if you can.
Applying SSDI GRIDS
Once Social Security figures out your RFC and your work history, they will look at the GRIDS. Social Security has separate GRIDS for sedentary, light and medium work. For people over 50, the more physically limited you are and the more physically demanding your past work was, the more likely the GRIDS show you should be found disabled.
Example 1: SSDI GRIDS over 50
For example, Janet, a 52 year old woman previously worked as an office manager. Janet completed high school. She filed for SSDI because she was having worsening anxiety and osteoarthritis in her knees. Janet has difficulty standing and walking for long periods. Her doctors prescribed her a cane. Despite medication and therapy, Janet has difficulty managing her anxiety symptoms. Social Security found that Janet could not perform her past work. They also found that she could not do any other light jobs. She also was limited to simple and routine tasks. Therefore, the GRIDS applied and Janet was approved for disability.
Example 2: SSDI GRIDS over 55
In another example, Jose filed for SSDI after injuring his back. He is 57 years old and has a high school education. Jose worked for many years as a dishwasher. Since his injury, he has difficulty sitting and standing for long periods. He can’t lift or carry more than 10 pounds. Social Security found that he could do light work. His job as a dishwasher doesn’t have any transferable skills. Therefore, the GRIDS allowed social Security to approve Jose’s case.
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How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Considered a Disability?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may cause mental and physical exhaustion frequently over long periods. Your fatigue may likely interfere with your daily activities. Often, it can result in impaired cognitive functions. If your chronic fatigue syndrome keeps you from working, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Social Security Disability
Social Security disability considers chronic fatigue syndrome a significant impairment. However, you must meet certain requirements to receive SSDI benefits. Generally, Social Security requires any disabling condition interfere with your normal daily activities. Additionally, your symptoms must keep you from working for at least 12 months. For SSDI, you must have worked a certain amount of years recently.
Social Security relies, in part, on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) definition to evaluate CFS. The CDC defines chronic fatigue syndrome as persistent fatigue that has a definite date of onset. There is no other mental or physical cause. Rest or sleep doesn’t improve fatigue. Lastly, the fatigue significantly interferes with work, school, social, or personal activities.
The diagnosis also requires at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months:
A general feeling of being unwell that lasts at least 24 hours following a period of exertion
Memory or concentration problems that cause a significant reduction in your activities
Frequent sore throats
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the arm
Muscle pain
Joint pain in different areas without swelling or redness
Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
Waking up unrefreshed
How Does The SSA Evaluate Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Social Security Ruling 14-1p provides certain requirements to evaluate chronic fatigue syndrome. First, Social Security must establish your chronic fatigue syndrome as a “medically determinable impairment” (MDI). Social Security makes a finding that a condition is an MDI when there is objective medical evidence including medical signs and/or laboratory findings.
Establishing Chronic Fatigue as a Medical Determinable Impairment
First, you must provide evidence from an acceptable medical source. This includes a licensed physician such as a medical or osteopathic doctor. Second, you must show that your doctor reviewed your medical history. They must also perform a physical exam. Sometimes, your doctor may make a diagnosis on reported symptoms. However, Social Security requires medical signs and laboratory findings to support the diagnosis. Additionally, there can’t be another medical condition causing the fatigue.
What Medical Signs Does Social Security Require?
Social Security will look for specific medical signs that document your chronic fatigue syndrome. These signs must be documented over at least 6 consecutive months.
Abnormal tests such as an MRI, exercise stress test and/or sleep studies
Other medical signs such as frequent viral infections, sinusitis, ataxia, extreme pallor and significant weight changes
How Does Social Security Determine If I’m Disabled Due to My Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Social Security evaluates any physical or mental limitations caused by your chronic fatigue syndrome. This helps determine your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC is what you can do despite your medical conditions. Your doctor can also fill out an RFC form. They can explain specifically how your symptoms impact your functioning.
Documenting Your Symptoms
Your medical records should include all laboratory testing your doctors ordered. Your doctor should note any other medical conditions considered and ruled out for a cause of your symptoms during each visit. This should also include all positive objective findings. Thus you doctor should note any tender points. They should also document symptoms such as problems with memory, attention or concentration.
Chronic Fatigue and RFC Forms
Your doctor can fill out an RFC form to help explain how your symptoms impact your daily activities. Your doctor may note physical limitations. As an illustration, your doctor may state that you can’t lift more than 10 pounds,have trouble standing and walking. You were limited to 2 hours in an 8 hour day. Your doctor should also note any mental limitations, may state that you would have difficulty concentrating during a work day. They may also note that you would frequently miss work. Although these forms are well-supported by your medical records, they can help get your claim approved.
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How Do I Appeal my Social Security Denial? Social Security may deny your Social Security disability claim for several reasons. Social Security could deny your claim for non-medical reasons. They could also deny your claim for medical reasons. However, you can only appeal a denial for medical reasons.
Non-medical denials
Social Security offers two types of disability benefits. First, Social Security offers disability insurance benefits (SSDI). To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and earned enough work credits. You cannot appeal a denial based on not having enough work credits. Second, Social Security offers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To qualify for SSI, you must meet certain financial requirements. You cannot appeal a denial for SSI based on exceeding the financial requirements.
How can I appeal a medical denial?
You can file an appeal several ways. First, you can appeal your denial online. This can be the easiest way to appeal an unfavorable decision. Second, you can file an appeal with your local Social Security office. If you have a representative, they can help you file an appeal of your SSDI denial.
When should I appeal my Social Security denial?
You have 60 days to appeal a Social Security denial from the date on the denial letter. Social Security gives you an extra 5 days to allow you to receive your denial in the mail. Therefore, you have a total of 65 days from the date on your denial to appeal your claim. If you don’t file within the 65 days, you may have to re-file your claim. Social Security allows you to file an appeal in more than 65 days if you have good cause for missing your deadline.
What is good cause for missing my appeal deadline?
Good cause can include several reasons. Social Security considers:
What circumstances kept you from making the request on time;
Whether Social Security’s action misled you or you didn’t understand what you needed to do to appeal
Whether you had any physical, mental, education or language limitations that prevented you from appealing on time
Examples of good cause for missing your deadline
You were very sick when the appeal was due and couldn’t have contacted Social Security yourself or through someone else. You would need proof that you were seriously ill.
There was a death or serious illness in your family
Records needed for your appeal were destroyed by an accident or fire.
You never received your denial notice
Some other type of unusual or unavoidable circumstances and you could not reasonably be expected to have met the deadline
Why was my Social Security claim denied?
Many people receive a denial for SSDI benefits the first time they apply. Understanding why Social Security denied your claim can help increase your chances on appeal. Specifically, you will know what your claim was missing or where your claim can be improved. Common reasons include:
Firstly, You are working
Secondly, Lack of medical evidence
Thirdly, Not following your doctor’s orders
Finally, Ignoring requests
Appealing a denial for working
Social Security considers disability as the inability to work for at least 12 months. Not all work activity prevents you from filing for disability. Social Security considers earnings over a certain amount “substantial gainful activity” or “SGA.” If you earn over the SGA amount, you won’t qualify for Social Security disability benefits. For 2021, Social Security considers $1310 SGA for non-blind individuals. Additionally, you must be out of work for at least 12 months to qualify for Social Security benefits.
Appealing a denial for lack of medical evidence
Frequently, Social Security denies claims because there was not enough medical proof to show your condition keeps you from working. Important medical records might be missing from your claim. On appeal, you need to tell Social Security about all the doctors you’ve seen since becoming unable to work. You should see your doctors regularly so that you have documentation of your conditions and limitations. Additionally, you should see specialists for your conditions. Often, specialists keep better records about your symptoms and problems better than a general doctor.
Appealing a denial for not following your doctor’s orders
When you don’t follow your doctor’s recommendations, Social Security can decide that your limitations would be less serious than if you followed their orders. This includes refusing or declining certain treatment. For example, your doctor recommended physical therapy but you didn’t go. Additionally, it includes taking your medications as prescribed. It can also include certain lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise. You should speak with your doctors directly about any difficulty you have following their recommendations.
Appealing a denial for ignoring Social Security’s requests
Social Security often asks for additional information when processing your claim. Generally, this includes additional forms about your daily activities and work history. However, it also includes medical examinations with a Social Security doctor. Social Security may not be able to make a decision without this information. Social Security denies your claim when you don’t respond to their requests.
Why should I appeal my Social Security denial?
Appealing a denial improves your chances for approval. In fact, most cases have the best chance for approval at the hearing level. Re-filing a new application won’t increase your chances for getting approved. Actually, it only delays the appeals process.
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