Current estimates from the Social Security Administration show it takes an average of 262 days to process each claim for Social Security Disability benefits. This leaves many claimants wondering at what point they should receive benefits—at the end of approval or when the claim was filed.
According to the agency, a claimant is entitled to benefits when the claim is filed. Due to the lengthy approval and processing periods, though, most benefit recipients are approved to receive what is known as Social Security back pay.
This money is generally paid in installments six months apart and will cover benefits from when the claim was filed to when it was approved. The benefits will only be paid in a lump sum if a person is terminally ill and expected to survive less than 12 months or if the individual is ineligible for Supplemental Security Income and is scheduled to hold that status for the following year.
Several factors determine how much back pay a person will receive. These include the alleged onset date of the disability, the date the application was filed, and the length of the claimant’s wait period.
The Social Security Disability Lawyers with the law firm of Newlin Disability urge anyone approved for Social Security Disability benefits after a long wait to examine their eligibility for Social Security back pay.