The SSDI Waiting Period

If you’re applying for SSDI, there is a mandatory 5-month waiting period before your benefits can begin. Here’s how it works:

• Definition of the Waiting Period: The waiting period starts the month after the onset of your disability. The SSA does not provide benefits for the first 5 full months of disability. This means that, even if you qualify for SSDI, you will not receive any payments during these initial five months.
• Example: If your disability began on January 1, your waiting period will end on June 1, and your SSDI payments will start in July.
• Why the Waiting Period?: The waiting period is designed to ensure that the disability is long-term and will last for a minimum of 12 months or result in death. The SSA wants to avoid paying benefits for short-term conditions that may improve within a few months.

The SSI Waiting Period

For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the waiting period operates differently. There is no mandatory waiting period for SSI benefits like there is for SSDI. Instead, your benefits are paid beginning the month you are found to be eligible, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements (such as income and resource limits).

However, there may be delays in your SSI benefits if the SSA needs additional information or verification, such as medical records, financial details, or other documents.

The "Disabled" Date: How the Waiting Period is Calculated

For SSDI, the SSA uses your established "disability date" to determine when your waiting period begins. The disability date is typically based on:

• The date you were last able to work due to your disability, or
• The date your medical condition became severe enough to prevent you from working.

For example, if you were able to work until March 1, but your condition became severe enough to stop you from working on April 1, the SSA will use April 1 as your disability date and start your waiting period in May.

What Happens During the Waiting Period?

During the waiting period, you may not receive any benefits, but you can take steps to prepare:

• Keep Track of Your Medical Records: Ensure you have detailed and up-to-date medical records that clearly show how your disability affects your ability to work.
• Apply for State or Local Assistance: If you qualify, you may be eligible for other forms of state or local assistance during your waiting period, especially if you are also applying for SSI.
• Review Your Financial Situation: Understand your financial situation and plan for the delay in payments. Some individuals find it helpful to apply for other forms of government assistance while they wait.

Can the Waiting Period Be Reduced or Waived?

In some circumstances, the waiting period can be reduced or waived, though it’s rare. The most common way this can happen is if:

• You are diagnosed with a terminal illness: If the SSA determines that your condition is terminal (i.e., expected to result in death within 6 months), they may waive the waiting period and begin benefits immediately. This is called the Compassionate Allowance program.
• You have already been receiving benefits for another condition: If you have previously been receiving SSDI benefits for a different condition, and your current disability is related to the same issue, you may not have to wait for the entire 5 months.

The Process After the Waiting Period

Once the waiting period ends, and you’ve been approved for SSDI, you will start receiving benefits on a regular monthly basis. It’s important to know that back pay may be available for the time between your disability date and when you were approved, but back pay is not typically available for the first 5 months, since this is part of the waiting period.

How Long Does It Take to Get SSDI Approved?

The waiting period is just one part of the approval process. The time it takes for your claim to be approved can vary, but on average, it may take 3 to 5 months from the time you apply to get a decision from the SSA. If your claim is denied, you have the option to appeal the decision, which can extend the waiting period even further.