Getting SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is a long process. When someone finally receives disability, they may receive a lump-sum payment for the period they waited for their benefit payments to begin.
How far back does disability pay? Getting “back pay” can mean a significant lump sum payment once your claim is approved. Here’s what you need to know about how SSDI back pay works, how far back it can go, and how it’s calculated.
What Is SSDI Back Pay?
Back pay for disability benefits refers to the money owed to you for the period you were eligible for SSDI but had not yet started receiving monthly payments. Because the SSDI application process can take months or even years, many people are entitled to back pay once their claim is finally approved.
Key Dates in SSDI Back Pay
To understand how far back disability pay goes, you need to know three important dates:
- Disability Onset Date (EOD): The date that the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines your disability began.
- Application Date: The date you officially applied for SSDI.
- Approval Date: The date your SSDI application is approved.
The SSA uses these dates to calculate your back pay for disability benefits.
How Far Back Does Disability Pay?
The answer depends on two main periods:
1. Retroactive Benefits (Before You Applied)
- SSDI may pay you for up to 12 months before your application date if you can prove your disability began before you applied.
- However, you must subtract a mandatory five-month waiting period from your onset date. This means you cannot receive benefits for the first five full months after your disability begins.
- To get the full 12 months of retroactive pay, your disability must have started at least 17 months before you applied (12 months retroactive + 5-month waiting period).
2. Past-Due Benefits (Application to Approval)
- You are also entitled to back pay for the time between your application date and after claim approval.
- Again, the five-month waiting period applies if your onset date is before your application date. If your application is delayed, this period can add up to substantial back pay.
Example
Suppose you became disabled on January 1, 2023, but didn’t apply for SSDI until January 1, 2024. Your application approval was January 1, 2025. Here’s how your back pay is calculated:
- Disability Onset Date: January 1, 2023
- Application Date: January 1, 2024
- Approval Date: January 1, 2025
- Retroactive Pay: You can get up to 12 months before your application date but not the first 5 months after your onset date. So, you’re eligible for 7 months of retroactive pay (January 1, 2023 + 5 months = June 1, 2023; June 2023–January 2024 = 7 months).
- Past-Due Benefits: You’re also due back pay for the time between your application and approval (January 2024–January 2025 = 12 months).
Your total back pay is the sum of these eligible months multiplied by your monthly SSDI benefit.
How Is SSDI Back Pay Paid?
Once your claim is approved, the SSA typically issues your back pay for disability benefits as a lump sum. In rare cases, if the amount is large, it may be paid in installments.
Important Notes
- The five-month waiting period applies to all SSDI claims. Benefits are not paid for the first five months after your disability onset date.
- The maximum retroactive period is 12 months before your application date, provided you can prove your disability started that early.
- There is no maximum limit for back pay between your application and approval dates. These will depend on how long your claim takes to process.
For SSDI, you can receive up to 12 months of retroactive back pay before your application date (minus the five-month waiting period) and all the months between your application and approval. This back pay for disability benefits can provide vital financial relief after the long application process.
Houston’s Social Security Disability Insurance Attorney
The process for getting SSDI is difficult, and many SSDI applications are denied on first submission. Working with an experienced disability law firm can help ensure that your initial application is correctly completed, increasing your odds of being awarded needed benefits.
We’ve helped over 6,000 Houstonians get SSDI and other disability benefits. The Herren Law Firm in Houston, Texas, can assist with your application, appeals, and records gathering to prove your case and win your claim. Contact us today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation and no up-front fees. We only collect a fee if we win your case.
