5-Month SSDI Waiting Period
What is the 5-Month SSDI Waiting Period?
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), consider the 5-month waiting period; the 5-month waiting period means you can not collect SSDI benefits until you have been disabled for five months.
It’s a little bit of a mystery why the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires this 5-month waiting period. Many believe it is just a way for the Social Security Administration to save money. It might be a way to make sure that only people with long-term disabilities will apply for SSDI.
Do You Get Paid for the 5-month Waiting Period for SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a waiting period of five (5) months. During this period, you will not receive any payments from Social Security.
So, unfortunately, you will not be paid for the 5-month waiting period for SSDI.
However, beginning in the sixth (6) month after you become disabled, they will start paying your benefits. Many people take over five (5) months to apply and be approved for benefits. Therefore, beginning the application process as soon as possible is best.
Beginning the application process as soon as you become disabled will allow you some space for potential denials, requests for reconsideration, and lengthy waiting periods for a hearing with an administrative law judge.
Additionally, beginning your application process now will allow you to receive back pay for up to twelve (12) months.
Significance of the 5-month Waiting Period
The 5-month waiting period becomes significant when determining your back pay once your SSDI application is approved. When approved, Social Security will determine your established onset date (EOD) when your disability begins. Your EOD may differ from your alleged onset date (AOD), the day you claim that your disability began.
Payments will commence from the sixth (6) month after your EOD. When calculating your back pay amount, subtract five months from the months since your EOD.
Remember that Social Security will only provide back pay for up to one (1) year before you become eligible for benefits. Thus, if a judge determines that your EOD is 17 months or more before your application date, you can receive the full 12 months of back pay.
Is There a Waiting Period For SSI?
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there is not a five (5) month waiting period; however, your back pay is for all past months starting when you first applied for SSI on your current claim.
Speed Up Your Approval Process With an Attorney
Whether you live in Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, or the Imperial Valley, the Social Security Disability application and appeal process can take over a year before your claim is approved. Get your FREE consultation with an experienced disability attorney in the Southern California area today!