How Long Does It Take To Receive Disability Back Pay?

Have questions about back pay you’re owned and how to receive it? We’ve got the answers for you!

What Is SSD Back Pay?

Social Security Disability (SSD) back pay is the residual money that you’re entitled to as a result of needing to wait for your benefits for longer than should have been necessary. This is typically due to an unavoidable delay that throws a wrench in your benefits acquisition process, or an unexpected denial that you then had to appeal, which forces you to suffer while you wait for approval.

How & When Do You Begin Accumulating Back Pay?

SSD beneficiaries are entitled to receive back pay as far back as the “established onset date” (EOD) of the disability in question. This means, even if you are denied and have to appeal over and over, when you’re finally approved you will receive retroactive benefits equal to what you should have been earning all along. Though, you should be aware benefits are earned for every full calendar month you’ve been disabled, so if your EOD is in the middle, or at the end, of a month, only the following month will be counted toward your total.

Unlike your actual benefits, which should arrive within five or so months of your approval, you can expect back pay to arrive a few months after that. Also, rather than being distributed monthly like your benefits are, your back pay will arrive as a one-time lump sum payment.

Is There A Limit On Back Pay?

While there is a limit to how much back pay you collect, which is 12 months, it should be noted that the five month waiting period does not count toward your back pay, meaning if you are approved within five months you do not qualify for any at all. That being said, it means it also doesn’t count toward your 12-month limit either.

When Can You Expect Your Back Pay To Arrive?

Patience is key when it comes to collecting your SSD back pay. The approval process already takes months as it is, and adding in time to process denials and appeals only makes the process longer. The good news is the longer it takes, the more back pay you’ll acquire, so all you have to do is hang on. In most cases, you’ll receive your back pay three to five months after your normal benefits come in, which is five months after your approval, which means it can take anywhere from eight to ten months total.

Let Aiello Law Group Help You Get Your Back Pay Today!

Obtaining the Social Security disability benefits you deserve as efficiently as possible is all about having the right team of insightful Social Security disability attorneys helping you navigate the process. If you have any questions about obtaining SSD benefits, or related back pay, do not hesitate to reach out to our seasoned legal team at Aiello Law Group! Call us, today, at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our contact page, and learn more about how we can help you.