Back Pay — SSDI
The retroactive disability benefits owed to an approved SSDI claimant, covering the period from the established onset date.
Official source: ssa.gov
Back pay refers to the money the Social Security Administration (SSA) owes you for the time between when your disability started and when your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim was approved. Think of it as catching up on payments that were delayed.
This payment applies to people who've been approved for SSDI benefits. It covers the period from your established "onset date" (the date the SSA says your disability began) up to the month your benefits actually start. The SSA figures out how much you're owed and usually pays it in one lump sum shortly after your claim gets approval. Unlike SSI back pay, which can sometimes be paid in installments, all your SSDI back pay comes to you at once.
One important thing to know is that because it takes time for the SSA to process claims, the longer your claim takes, the larger your back pay amount could be. This is because more months will have passed since your disability began, and each month adds to the total. Also, SSDI back pay does not count against any resource limit, which means it won't affect your eligibility for other programs once you receive it.
In real life
- A person might get back pay for the time between when they became unable to work and when their disability benefits were approved.
- Someone could receive back pay if their application for disability was denied at first, but then approved after an appeal.
- A veteran approved for disability payments would get back pay for the months they waited after their claim was approved.
Also known as
Take the next step
- → Start a disability application
- → Try the Tools Ssdi Filing Success Score
- → Guide: Should I File New Ssdi Application Or Appeal
- → Guide: Ssdi Essential Guide
- → Article: Understanding Ssi Back Pay
- → Article: Understanding Ssdi Disability Your Questions Answered
- → Article: The Ssdi Waiting Period How Long Until You Re Approved
Frequently asked questions about Back Pay
What is SSDI (Back Pay)?+
The retroactive disability benefits owed to an approved SSDI claimant, covering the period from the established onset date (minus the 5-month waiting period) through the month of approval. Back pay is paid in a lump sum shortly after your claim is approved.
Who qualifies for Back Pay?+
Adults under full retirement age who have a qualifying medical condition expected to last 12+ months and who have earned enough recent work credits.
How do I apply for Back Pay?+
Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. There's no cost to apply.
Where can I get help?+
Run the SSDI Filing Success Score to check your readiness, then the SSDI Benefit Estimator to size up your monthly payment. Local Social Security field offices can also help you apply at no cost.
Source: ssa.gov