How to Track My Disability Back Pay
September 5, 2024
If a disability has made you unable to work, disability benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance, known as SSDI benefits, can provide some relief. You may be eligible to get disability payments as back payments owed to you from when your disability began.
With Social Security Disability Insurance, it can be very confusing and complicated to get the back pay you deserve. Tracking your back pay can help you determine the amount of back benefits you should receive. You may wonder how to track my disability back pay and be unsure of what to expect from the SSDI benefits provided by the Social Security Administration.
Pisegna & Zimmerman offers comprehensive legal services to help clients navigate disability claims and back pay. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you receive the Social Security benefits you deserve without unnecessary delays or complications.
In this informative blog post, we cover how SSDI benefits work and how you can get your retroactive benefits more easily with the help of a disability lawyer.
How Does Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Work?
SSDI benefits, or disability benefits, are paid to those who are unable to work due to a medical condition that is expected to last for a year or result in death. To qualify for disability benefits, you must have worked a long enough time in recent years to get Social Security benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is funded through your payroll taxes that are converted to credits that you can use if you become disabled. When you meet the requirements for disability made by the Social Security Administration, you can seek SSDI benefits.
Understanding How SSDI Back Pay Works Under the Social Security Administration
If you face delays between your disability onset date and the date your SSDI application gets approved, you are eligible for back pay, or retroactive benefits as they are also known. Back pay refers to past-due benefits that you can receive. Here is a deeper look into how retroactive benefits work:
It Starts with the Disability Onset Date
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will first set a disability onset date. This established onset date is important because the disability onset date is the first date you are eligible to receive SSDI benefits.
Go Through the Waiting Period
You can begin receiving benefits after you go through a five month waiting period from the start of the disability onset date. During this five month waiting period, you will not be eligible to get SSDI back pay but after the waiting period, if your SSDI application is approved, then you should be able to get your SSDI back pay.
Your Application Date
The application date of your disability application will determine how much back pay you may receive. If the onset date was prior to your disability application date, you may be able to claim retroactive benefits for that span of time.
Calculation of Retroactive Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your back pay by determining the monthly benefits based on the period between the onset date and your application date. It then subtracts any income you received in that time period, resulting in the back pay amount you will receive.
Get a Lump Sum Payment
After you have applied for Social Security through the SSDI application and it is approved and the amount of back pay you are owed has been determined, you should receive one lump sum of your back pay. If your back pay amount is large, the SSA may not provide a lump sum. Instead, the SSA may choose to issue back pay in installments instead of the lump sum amount.
If you’re unsure of how much you should receive in retroactive benefits, it is ideal to speak with an attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability to help you obtain your monthly benefit.
When Will I Receive My Social Security Disability Benefits Back Pay?
If you can’t work because of your disability, it’s only normal to wonder when you can get any retroactive benefits. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, your condition must be either expected to last one year or has already lasted for that duration.
Unfortunately, Social Security Disability won’t start from when your disability began. It will take many months after your application date to find out if you were approved. Social Security recognizes that this delay causes concerns, which is why it allows back pay.
However, with that mandatory waiting period, you are only eligible for back pay in the sixth month after your established onset date. In order to get all of your back pay for 12 months, your application online must be predated by the onset period. Further complicating matters, the benefits and past due benefits will take another two months to receive.
Can You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and SSDI Back Pay?
There is good news when it comes to your back pay. You can receive back pay for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and SSDI. SSI benefits have the same medical requirements as those for SSDI back pay.
SSI back pay will include the money you are owed but there are some key things to know. SSDI back pay is generally paid at once, though back pay for SSI will not be in one amount unless it is less than $2,349. This means you will receive it in installments.
Since SSI Social Security is based on needs, a person’s income and assets are considered when determining how much is needed to pay. If you are eligible for both SSDI and SSI, the calculated amount of your SSDI benefits will be deducted from the benefits for SSI back pay.
How Long Will It Take to Get My Social Security Back Pay?
Receiving your Social Security back pay will depend on your individual circumstances, which means you can get your back pay within a few weeks or several months. In some cases, Social Security back pay may take even longer to receive, which can add to your frustration in the matter.
Generally, after waiting for five months, you will get the retroactive pay after your application is approved. Additionally, Social Security will take several months to review applications to check medical records and other information before they process them to make their determinations.
In some cases, they may deny your Social Security application for your back pay and benefits. If this happens, you may need to go through an administrative review with an administrative law judge and endure an appeals process.
It is highly recommended that you contact a disability attorney even before you know your claim status. SSDI back pay can be a tedious process, and having someone who can help you get your back payment in a timely fashion without all the stress is worth it.
Once you get approved and appeals are handled, Social Security will calculate the total back pay amount if you are eligible for disability payments.
Tracking Your Back Pay Amount
If you are trying to find out the status of your disability, you can contact Social Security. You will need to tell them your Social Security account to help them provide information about your back pay.
By calling, you can check the status and see if your first payment has been deposited into your bank account. If not, you can gather more information to determine your next steps.
What to Do If You Have Issues with Your SSDI Back Pay
When you do not get a direct deposit into your bank account for your SSDI back pay as you expected, it can be incredibly frustrating. Not only are you too disabled to work and cover your financial needs but you may also be in pain.
Back pay covers these costs but you need to get approved. Often, there are many hurdles to overcome to get disability pay. If you are eligible, it is not fair that you are running around in circles trying to get your disability payments.
The process is quite confusing and while you can call to find out more about your status, you may wind up on hold for a long time. It only adds to the feelings of hopelessness that you may have.
For these reasons, you should seek the assistance of disability attorneys who know the steps to take to get your pay faster. When you have an advocate on your side, it can make a big difference because they will know how to calculate your pay maximum and walk you through this complicated process.
Delays in processing, minor errors on applications, and even errors in payment amounts can also arise. If you have an attorney working on your disability case, you can rest assured that they will work towards the best resolution. If you or a loved one has an issue with back pay, contact the law offices of Pisegna & Zimmerman today.