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Waiting for Social Security Disability benefits can be a stressful experience, especially when you’ve been unable to work and the bills keep coming. If you’ve been approved for benefits, you may be entitled to back pay. But how long does it actually take to receive that money?
Here’s what you need to know about how Social Security back pay works and what you can expect.
What Is Back Pay?
Back pay is the money owed to you for the period when you were disabled but hadn’t yet been approved for benefits. Because the Social Security Disability (SSD) process can take months — or even years — many people are entitled to a lump sum covering that waiting time once their claim is approved.
Your back pay amount is based on:
- The date you became disabled (your “disability onset date”)
- The date you applied for benefits
- The five-month waiting period required by the SSA for SSDI claims
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims, the calculation is a little different, but back pay is still often available.
When Does Back Pay Start Accruing?
For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims:
- Back pay usually starts 5 months after your established onset date of disability.
- For example, if your disability onset date is January 1, 2024, back pay would start accruing from June 1, 2024.
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims:
- Back pay starts from the date you filed your application, not the date you became disabled.
Understanding your onset date is crucial because it directly affects how much back pay you’ll receive. We help clients confirm and document their onset dates properly to maximize benefits.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Back Pay?
Unfortunately, receiving back pay isn’t always immediate after you’re approved. Here’s a general timeline:
- SSDI Back Pay: Usually arrives within 60 days after your approval notice.
- SSI Back Pay: May take a little longer and often arrives in installments rather than a lump sum.
Sometimes delays happen because the SSA needs to finalize payment details, especially if you also qualify for both SSDI and SSI (known as a “concurrent claim”).
If you haven’t received your back pay after about two months, it’s a good idea to follow up with Social Security, and we can help you if things aren’t moving forward.
How Will You Receive Your Back Pay?
Most back pay is delivered the same way as your monthly benefits:
- Direct deposit into your bank account (if you signed up for it)
Direct Express debit card issued by the government, if you don’t have a bank account
The back pay amount usually arrives as a lump sum for SSDI recipients. For SSI recipients, the SSA often breaks the payment into three smaller installments, spaced six months apart, especially if the back pay amount is significant.
Can Anything Delay Back Pay?
Several factors can slow down your back pay:
- Processing time at your local SSA office
- Errors in your bank information or payment details
- Outstanding paperwork (such as a representative payee arrangement, if needed)
- Offsets due to workers’ compensation or other public disability benefits
Having an experienced attorney on your side can help you avoid common delays and correct any issues quickly if they arise.
How We Can Help You With Social Security Back Pay
At the Law Office of Carey Thompson, we stay with you through every step of the disability benefits process — from the initial application through approval and beyond. We can:
- Confirm that your back pay amount is calculated correctly
- Help you understand how and when you’ll be paid
- Address any delays or mistakes by the SSA
- Assist with setting up proper direct deposit or payment arrangements
You worked hard before your disability, and you deserve the full benefits you are owed.
Get the Support You Need
Waiting for Social Security back pay can be frustrating, but you don’t have to face the system alone. If you have questions about your back pay or your Social Security Disability case, contact the Law Office of Carey Thompson today. We proudly help clients in Fort Worth and surrounding areas get the benefits they deserve.