How Long Does It Take to Get Social Security Disability?

The process of winning Social Security Disability benefits can take months – and even years – for some claimants. The length of time it takes for you to start receiving Social Security Disability checks varies depending on how soon you win your case. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) enforces a five-month waiting period between the onset of your disability and when you begin receiving payments. For example, if you win approval on your first application and applied one month after the onset of your disability, you will have to wait four months to receive your benefits.

Unfortunately, the process to win usually takes a while so the majority of people are still waiting for a decision once the five-month waiting period is over. That means benefits are usually paid within one month of receiving a favorable decision. The backpay and payment schedule is made available to you (if you win) in the letter you receive from the SSA.

If you don’t win at the initial application stage, it can take much longer to receive your benefits since you will now have to go through the appeals process. This process can take anywhere from six to 18 months and, in some cases, even longer.

No matter how long it takes, you receive backpay that will date back to the date you list as the onset of your disability on your application.

In addition, if you were receiving TDI or Workers’ Compensation payments, the backpay can take longer to get. One of the things Danielle Beaver does is follow up on backpay awards to make sure they are paid as quickly as possible.

If you need help winning disability benefits, contact Danielle today.