How Far Back Will My Social Security Disability Benefits Go?

One of the most common questions we get is how far back Social Security disability benefits go. It’s one of those subjects that seems to lend itself to urban legends!

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are payable up to a maximum of one year prior to the application date. However, benefits are not paid for the first five months after the onset of disability. So the answer in any particular case depends on the date of the application and the date the disability began.

For example, if you applied for SSDI on 10/15/10, benefits would be payable back to 10/15/09. But if you filed your application soon after you became disabled, that wouldn’t be true. Say you became disabled on 9/15/10. Your benefits would not be payable for five months after that date, so your eligibility wouldn’t kick in until March of 2011. But if you became disabled in January of 2008, and you didn’t file your application until 10/15/10, then your benefits would go back to 10/15/09.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are only payable back to the application date. So if you applied on 10/15/10, your benefits would begin the following month, in November of 2010.

It can all be a little confusing, so it’s best to check with your attorney to be sure how the rules apply in your particular case.


Contacting a Jacksonville Social Security Disability Lawyer
The Social Security disability lawyers at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.







We represent clients in Jacksonville, Duval County, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Westside, Southside, Northside, Arlington, Mandarin, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Johns County.  Our Social Security lawyers and workers' comp attorneys also represent clients in Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, Nassau County, Palatka, Putnam County, Lake City, Columbia County, Macclenny, Baker County, Starke, Bradford County, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County, Palm Coast , Flagler Beach, Flagler County,  Brunswick, Glynn County, Waycross, Ware County, Kingsland, St. Marys, Camden County, Jessup, Wayne County, Valdosta, and Lowndes County.