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After your disability claim is approved, Social Security must complete the process of calculating and paying your benefits. A favorable decision does not always result in immediate payment, so some additional processing is normal. If you have questions about the approval process or your benefits, experienced social security disability lawyers can help you understand what to expect and address any concerns. Social Security will send you an award notice explaining:
- Whether you were approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. Understanding the differences between SSDI and SSI can help you better understand which program you qualify for and what benefits you can expect
- The date Social Security determined your disability began
- The amount of your monthly benefit
- The amount of any past-due benefits you will receive
- When your monthly payments and health insurance coverage will begin
If you are approved for SSI, Social Security may first conduct a financial interview to confirm that you still meet SSI’s income and resource requirements. Past-due benefits may also be reduced by attorney’s fees, workers’ compensation payments, or other applicable offsets. In some SSI cases, past-due benefits are paid in installments rather than in one payment.
It has been our experience that cases involving additional factors often take longer for Social Security to process. For example, a workers’ compensation offset, concurrent SSDI and SSI claims, auxiliary benefits for family members, or questions about prior payments may require additional calculations or coordination between different Social Security offices. These issues can delay the calculation and payment of back benefits even after the disability claim itself has been approved.
If you receive SSDI, certain dependent children may also qualify for benefits based on your earnings record. These benefits are not always started automatically, so a separate application may be necessary. SSDI recipients generally become eligible for Medicare after 24 months of disability benefit entitlement. Because this period is based on the date your benefits began—not necessarily the date you received the approval—some or all of the waiting period may already have passed. SSI recipients may qualify for Medicaid, although the enrollment process varies by state.
Approval also comes with continuing responsibilities. You should promptly report any return to work, earnings, changes in contact information, or other circumstances that could affect your benefits. Social Security may periodically conduct a Continuing Disability Review to determine whether your medical condition continues to prevent you from working. Continuing medical treatment and responding promptly to Social Security’s requests can help protect your benefits.
Carefully review every notice you receive. If the benefit amount, disability date, past-due benefits, or Medicare date appears incorrect, contact Social Security or your disability attorney as soon as possible.
