SSDI length of time for back pay?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

When I initially met with my attorney, I was told that back pay would go back one year from application, minus 5 months (I had already waited over 2 years to file because I was told I would have "full recovery" after my 2 fusion surgeries). I've received my acceptance letter but not my back pay yet, and during my search for more info on the process I came across a SSDI page stating that even if it takes 24 months for your claim to get approved, you can only receive pay for 12 months. Can anybody help clarify this for me please? Also, I have friends who received their back pay before or immediately after their approval letters (NY), but I've seen posts by people saying it took several months so I was wondering if there was a formula for when I can expect mine? I'm not looking to go on a spending spree, but I have a mortgage, car payment, property and school taxes, and children to feed and clothe as well as one in an expensive college. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and all input is appreciated.

Monica K. (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 02:33 Permalink

You can also get your back pay early for financial hardships, such as not bend able to make your mortgage payment. SSI can release 2199 when you are approved for SSI along with your monthly benefits, then 6 months later another 2199, and then 6 months later the remainder of your SSI back pay. However, if you have work credits and are approved for SSDI once you start receiving your monthly SSDI checks they will release all remaining back pay for SSI minus your attorney's portion of applicable. That is only if you will no longer get SSI- and an example of that would be if your monthly SSDI amount is $400- SSI would step in and pay $333 to equal $733 which is the max amount of SSI per month. That's the o my way you will draw from both programs.

Loretta (not verified)

In reply to by Dianne (not verified)

Wed, 04/20/2016 - 15:16 Permalink

Diane you can take your bills like electric and mortgage or rent and go the the nearest soc sec office with them and request they realease some of your backpay to pay them. They can do this and you will get it in a matter of days. Hopefully this helped you out

Betty (not verified)

In reply to by Nellie (not verified)

Tue, 04/04/2017 - 20:14 Permalink

I was told u only can get 12 months back pay, that's it!! Now I'm confused because everybody is acting like they get big payouts still. I hope u all r correct. I go before alj on 4/12/17. My onset is 4/29/16, I applied 6/2016( my application ). My lawyer applied for both. So will I get ssi back pay for those 5 months?? I will get ssdi pmts around 1400 a month so I know I can't draw ssi in addition, just can I get ssi for the 5month period. Cause I gualify financially for those months, just wondering❤️

Bryan

In reply to by Betty (not verified)

Wed, 04/05/2017 - 10:19 Permalink

Hi Betty,
I really could not say if you would get SSI benefits at the same time, however if you have demonstrated need for them ( as in you have bills, eviction notices, ect) and you aren't over the financial resource limit, you may be able to be awarded SSI.

Molly C (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:07 Permalink

Nellie, Unfortunately there is no clear answer to this question. Many factors affect how long it takes for an individual to receive back pay. I suggest that you continue to regularly check in with the SSA. I'm sorry that I couldn't be more helpful! Best of luck.

Frustrated and Poor (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:07 Permalink

This sounds like me!! I applied 3 years ago. Court date was Sept 2014. Judgment letter came Dec 2014. (I won but the onset date was shaved down to 2 years ago - ?)Jan 2015 Got a letter stating what the back pay was and when to expect 1st payment - March 15. No reference to my daughter was included. Within a week had an appt at SS, had her added and her backpay was in the bank. Second check was DD today but am hearing back pay/lump could take up to 90 days AFTER the first payment (which was March 2015). If we didn't have family that has been willing to loan us money against the lump, we'd have lost our home, our car, everything. 3 years is a long time with only one very modest income and three people to feed/shelter. I thank God and us taxpayers for the assistance but the system is horrible. What do the mentally ill, elders, disabled with no support do?

TL (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:07 Permalink

I had accident 4/20/13, applied 5/22/13; got denied twice, had court hearing 2/23/15. There was a delay getting the last part of my medical record to turn in - turned in last part of med record 4/13/15. 4/30/15 (Thursday), got a call from Judge's assistance telling I got a fully favorable decision. May 1st, 2015 (Friday), I went down to the hearing office to pick up my copy of ruling. Sunday morning (5/03/15), I checked my account at SSA, saw a note saying I got back pay deposit on 5/04/15 (Monday). It's a big check 19 months of back pay. I panic because I realized that the account the money was supposed to come in was an old closed account at Wells Fargo. Monday morning, as soon as the bank open, I brought in the printout proving back pay to the bank. I didn't have any account with Wells Fargo anymore. Talked to the bank, the bank opened a new account for me with 0 money. Tuesday morning, the money show up with the bank for my old account. The banker called to have the money rerouted. All done and good!! I'm happy.

Ellen (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:08 Permalink

My brother was awarded dado we also have a lawyer I am his poa n also ass wanted me to b my brothrs payee all paperwork submitted we r going to b come homeless at end of this month we have been over to ssa Office 3xs in last week my brothr collapsed this weekend from dehydration n depletion as we do not have money for food when he was released from hospital I took him directly to ssa to try to find out when we will get his backpay as we need this money to move they would not take his hospital paperwork or our failure to pay rent they want us to come back on thursdy to see a supervisor he was old for benefits on 7/31/2013 n was told he would see his backpay within 60 days n his 1st check on 10/9/2013 my brother has health issues heart, tbi n depression where do i go for help our lawyer can not reach anyone either they say that everything is in order n there is a prioroty on his case but not to keep asking for help b cause it will move u back why would that b the case?

Jena (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:08 Permalink

I was awarded a full approval for SSDI and SSI . I was told by 3 different people 1. My attorney 2. the lady that handles the money part with my attorney that makes sure I get all my moneis awarded to me 3. The SSI rep. That total with SSDI and SSI combined a month I would receive $866 a month. My 1st payment was last month. I got $694 SSDI and $866 SSI so that confused me alot. My award letters say that I would get $24,000 back pay for SSDI and 17,000 for back pay SSI. (SSI would be be paid in 3 installments 6 months a part. I received a ONE TIME payment of $2599 (SSI) and then 2 weeks latyer I received a $1thousand something ONE Time payment from????? I called the lady in charge of the monies to day to ask about what that payment was and she told me that was my lump sum!!!!! I would get another payment in march of 2,599 and then 12,000 (the remainder ) next sept. I told her those numbers did not add up and where is the BIG one lump sum from SSDI. She said they deducted the 17000 from the 24000 and then 6000 for the attorney fees and then the 2 one time payments and thats whats remaining.... HUH??? Im no math major but Im sooo confused... I was told that I would be getting 2 separate paybacks.. SSDI and SSI why would they deduct from each other and be combined and then both be in 3 installments? I was told the BIG LUMP Sum would be from SSDI and the the smaller would be from SSI and that one would be in the 3 installments. Seems no one can help explain any of this to me since they all said something different... can anyone help me straighten this mess out?

Debi (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:08 Permalink

Jena on question #27... I am in the Same Situation..Got letter stating amounts of $ for backpay for SSDI AND SSI. My lawyer has been paid his $6,000. I have received my 1st BACKPAY check from SSI for approx $2,000 (and was told same info on SSI Back pay in 3 installments AND SSD IN ONE LUMP SUM) I'm worried after reading your story! Same thing happened... At first I was told SSI comes in 3 installments... SSDI in one lump. After I got 1st SSI back check... I called them...THE STORY CHANGED. SSD MAIN OFFICE in Washington told me that THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF SSI BACKPAY WAS GOING TO BE DEDUCTED FROM MY LARGE LUMP SSD BACKPAY!! I'm SOOO confused. My Biggest QUESTION to everyone here.. It's been over 7 months now...I've been getting monthly checks..my 2nd SSI backpay is due to come in one month...and I haven't heard anything on the''biggest lump sum SSD check". Any advice from ANYONE?? Has any one here been through this? Or had the"deduction of what u received from SSI taken Out of your SSD Back check?

Kelli (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:09 Permalink

i just had my hearing with the judge on my disabilty on 10.29.13. my lawyer said i was approved because the vocational personal said there wwaas no job i could do because of my disabilities. i dated my disability beginning 1/1/10 the judge said there was a sticky note on my folder from my 1st denial that person felt my disability began 9/09...that confused me anyways my lawyer informed me i would receive backpay from 9/09 till present..so what 4+ yrs? ok why is some saying ssdi only backpays 12mths? also my kids will draw off of me my 14 yr old recieves ssi and i have a 4mth old..howe do or will they determine their benefits or backpay im sorry if im not making any sense i know what i want to ask not sure im using right words..also how long does it take to get your b/pay im sure it varies state to state im in ar...also my lawyer did mention 6m waiting period and stated i would recieve ssi in the meantime..if any one can help me understand i would relly appreciate it...also can student loans garnish ssdi??to all you with same situations as i hope thing hurry up for you i totally relate to how u are feeliin..again thank you and i hope one of you wonderful ppl can give me sum clarification...

Molly C (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:09 Permalink

Hi Kelli, were you approved for SSDI or SSI?

Kelly (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:09 Permalink

ssdi my lawyer said i would will get a backpay from ssi for 9/09 thru 2/10 then ssdi would pay 2/10 to present. i had enuff credits..im also confused bout the ins part..i just recived letter said i will start get traditional medicaid start in jan. thanku

Molly C (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:09 Permalink

Hi Kelli, I'm not sure what your specific question is. If your child receives SSI, he or she may not be eligible to receive dependent benefits. I suggest that you call the SSA to ask about whether or not your children are eligible. Also, depending on your specific circumstances, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness or cancellation due to your disability. Be sure to ask your attorney about this.

Teresa (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:15 Permalink

I was receiving spouse SSD benefits and now I am approved (9/24) to receive my own disability benefits. My spouse SSD benefits were suspended but now I'm not receiving anything b/c my SSD benefits haven't started and will not until 12/18. SSA has taken 3mo of Medicare premiums already yet I have nothing but an award letter saying I receive my SSD benefits, which I do not. I was told I wouldn't receive back pay until 01/2014 maybe even as late as 02/2014. Is this correct for me not to be receiving anything at all?

Mary (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:17 Permalink

I had a hearing on JULY 15 and it was in my favor.and on August 16 I received my reward letter and waiting on the other letter to see how much is my back pay.it normally takes 60 to 90 days but it took me 1 month for my reward letter to come in.hope this help you a lil bit.

Nalani (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:18 Permalink

im receivivng ssi disability my car just recently broke down. this is my transportation to and from doctors I don't have money to fix it at this time. ill be getting my six month back pay in march I cant wait that long I contacted social security explained my situation to see if I can receive back pay earl.as I cant catch the bus cause I cant handle sitting on the seats I have a doctors note stating of that I was told to have car be seen by license person to find out cost of repair.i have a problem I cant move my car due to the extent of my car I could cause a major accident trying to get it looked at from a mechanic shop.what can I do?

Jennifer (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:19 Permalink

My mom recently got approved for disability. She worked for a large retail company for 15 years. When she got hurt she went on short term disability and then long term disability. The advocate company that is handling her long term disability was also helping her through the process to try and get approved for disability. Now that she has been approved they are telling her that all of her back pay she received plus the two disability checks she has received since is owed to them by law. Can anybody tell me if this is true? My mom paid into the company for 15 years to have the short and long term disability available to her. Now they are telling her that she has to give them everything social security has sent her. How is that even right and how can they get away with it? Can anybody shed some light on this? How is it right for someone to strugle to get approved for disability and then have to turn around and hand every dime over to a company they had already been paying into fo the lasr 15 years? They are planning to contact a laywer to look further into it, but if anybody knows anything about this or has any helpful info it would be greatly appreciated.

Jennifer (not verified)
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:19 Permalink

My mom recently got approved for disability. She worked for a large retail company for 15 years. When she got hurt she went on short term disability and then long term disability. The advocate company that is handling her long term disability was also helping her through the process to try and get approved for disability. Now that she has been approved they are telling her that all of her back pay she received plus the two disability checks she has received since is owed to them by law. Can anybody tell me if this is true? My mom paid into the company for 15 years to have the short and long term disability available to her. Now they are telling her that she has to give them everything social security has sent her. How is that even right and how can they get away with it? Can anybody shed some light on this? How is it right for someone to strugle to get approved for disability and then have to turn around and hand every dime over to a company they had already been paying into fo the lasr 15 years? They are planning to contact a laywer to look further into it, but if anybody knows anything about this or has any helpful info it would be greatly appreciated.

Add new comment

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!