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SSDI back pay can reimburse you for the months that you were eligible for SSDI payments but were not receiving payments. However, there is a limit to how far back pay will go. In most cases, SSDI back pay will extend for up to a year before you become disabled. However, there are some caveats that can make it confusing to calculate exactly how much SSDI back pay you are entitled to. If you have specific questions about SSDI back pay rules, contact Disability Advocates Group to speak to an SSDI attorney.
How Much SSDI Back Pay Can I Receive?
With SSDI payments, backpay will cover the period of time between when you became disabled (the effective onset date or EOD) and when you received approval for benefits. SSDI will cover up to a maximum of one year between the onset date and your application date. It will also cover the waiting time between when you applied for disability and when you started receiving benefits. However, SSDI backpay will never pay for the first five months after you become disabled. Also, those who are eligible for SSDI backpay can’t receive Medicare for up to 24 months after becoming eligible.
Example of SSDI Backpay
The rules surrounding how the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates SSDI backpay are confusing, and the waiting periods can make it hard to budget. We can consider a specific hypothetical example to make things clearer.
- You become disabled on January 1st, 2023 (You EOD)
- You apply for benefits on February 1st, 2023
- The SSA approves your benefits on January 1st, 2024, for $1,000 a month
In this case, there were 12 months between when you became disabled and when you were approved for SSDI payments. After subtracting the mandatory five-month waiting period, you would receive seven months (12 – 5 = 7) of back pay, which comes out to 7 x $1000 = $7,000
Here is another example:
- You became disabled on January 1st, 2020
- You apply for benefits on January 1st, 2022
- You are approved for benefits on June 1st, 2023
In this case, even though there are 24 months between your EOD and your application date, you are only eligible for a maximum of 12 months of SSDI backpay.
When Will I Receive My SSDI Backpay?
Fortunately, the answer to this question is much more straightforward: you should receive your SSDI backpay as a lump sum when you start receiving SSDI benefits. Typically, there is a five-month waiting period between approval and when you start receiving your benefits. The exact amount of SSDI you can receive depends on what you have paid into the program. As of 2025, the maximum monthly SSDI payment is $4,018 if you retire at full retirement age, though the average SSDI monthly payment is about $1,500.
Keep in mind that backpay does not increase the amount of SSDI payments you are entitled to — it just gives them to you as a single lump sum. As such, you should not delay in applying for benefits. You cannot delay your application to receive more back pay, so it’s important to file promptly.
SSDI Attorney in Los Angeles
SSDI payment eligibility and waiting periods are confusing for many people to navigate without an attorney. At Disability Advocates Group, we will represent you at every step of the disability application and advocacy process to help you get the payments you need. Contact our firm online or call today to speak to an SSDI attorney serving Los Angeles.
