Principal Attorney
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it’s essential to consider the extent of the back pay you could receive in addition to your ongoing benefits.
Both SSDI and SSI provide back pay for the benefits you would have been owed if your application had been immediately accepted. However, the extent of these back pay benefits depends on several factors, including the type of benefits you’re seeking and when you applied.
To maximize your backpay benefits and make sure you receive them in a timely manner, it’s crucial that you work with a skilled Social Security disability attorney.
How Far Back Does Social Security Back Pay Cover?
Disabled individuals can receive SSDI and SSI back pay benefits for up to 12 months prior to the start of their benefits. For example, if your claim is accepted in May of 2026 and you begin receiving benefits in June, you could receive back pay going back to June of 2025, depending on when you applied and when your disability began.
However, the rules for calculating back pay differ depending on whether you’re seeking SSDI or SSI benefits. So, it’s important to work with a lawyer who can explain how these back pay rules apply to your case, in particular.
Differences Between SSDI and SSI Back Pay
While back pay is available for both SSDI and SSI benefits, only SSDI offers retroactive benefits. Standard back pay benefits cover the period between when you file for benefits and when you begin receiving benefits. However, retroactive benefits go back to your date of injury rather than when you applied for SSDI.
That’s not the only difference between SSDI and SSI back pay, though. SSDI also has a five-month waiting period before you can begin receiving benefits. This means that if you were injured eight months before you began receiving SSDI benefits, you would only receive back pay for three months.
Calculating Your SSDI and SSI Back Pay Benefits
Calculating SSDI back pay benefits involves determining the onset date of your disability and the date of your approval. Count up the full months between these dates, and then subtract five months for the mandatory waiting period. The resulting number is the number of months of back pay you can receive, up to a maximum of 12 months.
Calculating SSI benefits is simpler, as you only have to count the full months between the date of your application and the date of your approval. The maximum number of months you can receive back pay for is still 12. But since there are no retroactive benefits, you should apply as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on compensation.
The Timeline for Receiving Back Pay Benefits
The time it takes to begin receiving benefits following an application depends on various factors, including your type of disability, the length of the investigation, and whether your claim is initially accepted or denied.
For accepted claims, individuals typically begin receiving benefits between six and eight months after their application, and their back pay payment should arrive a month later.
How a Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help
A Social Security Disability lawyer can help with your SSDI or SSI application by submitting it on your behalf, calculating your benefits to make sure you receive the proper back pay, and representing you in appeals if your application is denied.
Contact Our Los Angeles Social Security Disability Lawyer
If you are applying for SSDI or SSI benefits in Los Angeles, California, contact Disability Advocates Group for a free consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer. We’ll explain the process of seeking Social Security benefits and provide informed representation and caring personal service.
