If You’re Approved for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)

SSDI has a built-in five-month waiting period that starts from your established onset date—the date SSA determines your disability began.

• You’ll receive your first payment the 6th full month after your disability began
• Example: If SSA says your disability started in January, your first payment would be for June, paid in July
• Payments are made monthly, typically via direct deposit
• You may also be eligible for back pay, which covers months you were disabled but hadn’t yet been approved

Important: The 5-month waiting period only applies to SSDI—not SSI.

If You’re Approved for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

SSI benefits usually begin the month after your application is approved, with no 5-month wait.

• Payment begins based on your application or approval date—whichever is later
• SSI benefits are paid on the first of the month, every month
• You may receive back pay in a lump sum or installments, depending on the amount owed

How You’ll Be Notified and Paid

Once your claim is approved:

• You’ll receive an award letter from the SSA outlining your benefit amount, start date, and any back pay
• Payments will be made via direct deposit or a Direct Express® card
• If there’s a delay, you can check your claim status by logging into your mySSA account or calling 1-800-772-1213

What About Back Pay?

Most people receive some form of back pay, especially if the approval process took months or years.

• SSDI back pay goes back to your disability onset date (minus the 5-month waiting period)
• SSI back pay goes back to your application date
• Back pay may arrive as a lump sum or installments, depending on the program and amount