How Will You Receive Your Social Security Disability Back Pay?

There is going to be a gap in time between when you become disabled and when you begin receiving Social Security disability payments. Once your application for Social Security disability benefits is approved, you may be able to recover back pay for the time between your disability onset date and the date your application for benefits was approved.

How Much Back Pay Can You Recover?

The amount of your back pay is going to depend on numerous factors which may seem straightforward to you, but which may be contested. Specifically, the amount that you receive will depend on:

• Your disability onset date. The following factors will be relevant to determining your onset date: the date you allege as your onset date, the date you stopped working, your doctor’s opinion about your onset date, and your medical records.
• How long it takes to get your disability application approved. If your application is delayed or you need to appeal a denial of benefits, your lump sum payment may be greater.
• The amount of benefits that you can recover. Your back pay will be determined by the amount of your monthly benefits. Thus, it is important that your benefit determination is accurate.

As with all Social Security disability matters, it is important to understand your rights so that you can make sure you are receiving fair benefits.

How Will Your Back Pay be Distributed?

Social Security disability recipients receive back pay in a lump sum. In other words, you should receive the full amount of your back pay at one time.

Thus, it is important to make sure that the amount of your lump sum payment is accurate as soon as possible. If you have any questions about whether or not you are being treated fairly during the Social Security disability application process, we encourage you to contact an experienced Social Security disability lawyer as soon as possible. We can be reached via this website or by phone at 800-800-6353.

by Paul B. Burkhalter
Managing Partner of Morgan & Weisbrod, Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.

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