What Is SSDI Back Pay?

Back pay refers to the lump sum payment you may receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to cover the time between when you became disabled and when your SSDI claim is approved. This is important because SSDI is not an immediate process, and it may take several months or even years before your claim is approved. Back pay compensates you for the months you were eligible for benefits but were not yet receiving them.

• For example: If your disability started in 2019, but your claim wasn’t approved until 2021, you could receive back pay for the months from 2019 to 2021, depending on your claim’s approval date.

When Does SSDI Back Pay Begin?

The back pay you are entitled to depends on your Date of Application (DOA) and your Date of Onset (DOO).

• Date of Onset (DOO): This is the date the SSA determines you became disabled. Back pay generally starts from this date, but there are some limitations.
• Date of Application (DOA): This is the date you officially applied for SSDI. The SSA uses this date to calculate how long it took for your claim to be approved.

You are typically eligible for back pay from the date your disability began (the DOO) up until the date of your SSDI approval, but there are specific rules that apply to when your back pay starts.

Step 3: How Far Back Does SSDI Back Pay Go?

• Start Date for SSDI Back Pay: Your SSDI back pay can go back up to 12 months prior to your application date. However, it is important to note that you cannot receive benefits for any period before you actually applied for SSDI, and the SSA has a 5-month waiting period before benefits can be paid.
• For example, if your disability onset date was January 2020, and you applied in March 2021, you may be eligible for back pay from January 2020. However, you would not receive benefits for the first 5 months after your DOO, meaning that benefits would only begin for you in June 2020. Back pay would cover the months from June 2020 to the date of approval.
  

How Much Back Pay Will I Receive?

The amount of back pay you can receive depends on several factors:

• Your Monthly SSDI Payment: Your monthly SSDI benefit amount is based on your average lifetime earnings and your work history. The higher your earnings in the past, the higher your monthly SSDI payment, and thus, the more back pay you may receive.
• Duration of Time: The length of time from your date of onset to your approval date plays a major role in determining how much back pay you will receive. The more months you were eligible for SSDI benefits, the larger your back pay will be.

How Is SSDI Back Pay Paid?

Typically, back pay is paid to you in a lump sum once your SSDI claim is approved. However, there may be exceptions based on your specific circumstances.

• Lump Sum Payment: Once approved, the SSA will issue a lump sum payment to cover all back pay that you are owed.
• Payments for Beneficiaries: If you are applying for SSDI benefits on behalf of a dependent (spouse or children), they may also be eligible for back pay.

What Happens if You Don’t Receive Back Pay?

If you believe you are entitled to back pay and do not receive it within a reasonable timeframe, you should:

• Contact the SSA: You can check the status of your case and inquire about the back pay by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local SSA office.
• Request a Status Update: If there is any delay in your back pay payment, the SSA can provide information regarding the reason for the delay and when you can expect the payment.