Is there a waiting period for Social Security Disability benefits?

On Behalf of | Oct 10, 2019 | SSDI

When you apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Florida, then you may be under the misconception that you receive benefits quickly or as soon as possible after you apply. This just is not the case. In fact, you will have to deal with waiting periods throughout the claims process. Disability Benefits Help explains that there are two initial waiting periods.

A waiting period occurs from the time that you file for benefits and the date that you finally receive the check. This waiting period can take a long time. The truth is that people may have their disability claims denied more than once. Then, they go through a review multiple times before you finally receive your approval.

Once approved, you might think that you are finally going to receive your benefits. You filed the claim; the government approved you, what happens next? Well, what happens next is that Social Security waits five months. This is the five-month waiting period. Essentially, if your case worked through the system in less than 17 months then you may have a five-month wait.

Once approved, you have a date that the SSA determines you can receive your benefits. The SSA reduces the onset date by five-months. For instance, if your onset date is five months prior to your claim date, you will receive no back pay. However, if your onset date is 15 months, you will receive 10 months of past due benefits.

None of the above is to be interpreted as legal advice. It is simply for educational purposes.