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Factors That Determine Your Potential SSDI Back Payments

Nov. 10, 2016

In many cases, a newly awarded claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be eligible for back payments, which are considered to be “past due” disability benefits. This can be a huge financial and emotional relief for many people, especially after the long claims process they've been through. Chances are good that your case will be eligible for these payments when it is finally approved. Here are a few factors that go into calculating these special case payments:

Date of Application

The first and easiest way to determine back pay eligibility is by looking at the date when you first submitted your SSDI application. Most of the time, you will be able to collect disability payments going back to this date, and even be considered for retroactive payments up to a year prior to your application date. Check with your attorney to confirm your eligibility.

Date of Disability

The time that you claim your disability began is known as the alleged onset date or AOD. This time is often determined based on medical and work records, and can be taken into consideration when calculating back payments. Once your claim is approved, it will change to an established onset date or EOD, which is used as a benchmark in your medical status, and depending on your records and disability examinations, you may be able to collect back payments to this date, minus the waiting period.

Five Month Waiting Period

For those who have been awarded a SSDI claim, and are given their EOD, their back payment eligibility will include a built-in five-month waiting period. The SSA essentially removes five months of benefits from any potential back pay. For example, if you were determined to be disabled 18 months prior to your application date, you would be eligible for 13 months of back payments.

For all SSDI claims, back payments are disbursed as one lump sum, which is different from SSI claims, which are often split into installments. Many disability claimants aren't aware of the potential to be owed past due payments, and this adds to the motivation and desire to have their claim approved. A qualified disability benefits attorney at JP Law PC can significantly help your case, and get you closer to getting this lump sum that you are entitled to, so be sure to reach out to a us today to get the best potential outcome for your case.

By: Websol