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SSDI length of time for back pay?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

When I initially met with my attorney, I was told that back pay would go back one year from application, minus 5 months (I had already waited over 2 years to file because I was told I would have "full recovery" after my 2 fusion surgeries). I've received my acceptance letter but not my back pay yet, and during my search for more info on the process I came across a SSDI page stating that even if it takes 24 months for your claim to get approved, you can only receive pay for 12 months. Can anybody help clarify this for me please? Also, I have friends who received their back pay before or immediately after their approval letters (NY), but I've seen posts by people saying it took several months so I was wondering if there was a formula for when I can expect mine? I'm not looking to go on a spending spree, but I have a mortgage, car payment, property and school taxes, and children to feed and clothe as well as one in an expensive college. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and all input is appreciated.

Bryan

Hi Marc,
Generally back pay is paid four months after you start receiving your monthly benefits, so you may get your back pay about four months from March 2, 2016.

Wed, 05/11/2016 - 16:40 Permalink
Marc (not verified)

Bryan,
I signed up to the ssa (dot) gov website, where they tell me my next scheduled payments. Will backpay show up on this? I'm 27 days away from hitting my 4 months, and I haven't seen anything show up on there other than my monthly payments. Will it show up or is this being sent through another department? Like the treasury.

Sun, 06/05/2016 - 19:29 Permalink
Bryan

Hi Marc,
You might be able to find out the status of your back pay by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Mon, 06/06/2016 - 10:13 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I call that number weekly and all they say is, "processessing" under my status. And that is all they tell me. It sounds almost scripted. One time a lady complained to me how back logged they were. Then I explained how my lawyer and children have been paid, but not me. I also signed up on ssa dot gov. I can see my monthly payments, but nothing pending on the backpay.

Mon, 06/27/2016 - 09:43 Permalink
Marc (not verified)

So I called the call center once again (been doing this almost weekly), and they said the claim was through calculating whether or not I was owed SSI. Though I repeatedly told them I did not apply for SSI, and did not want SSI, they still had to take 4 months to make sure. Anyway, the lady was the first of at least 15 different people I called, and the only one that actually called the payment center to find out. She put in an urgent request to release funds...and told me it would be 7-10 days from now.
So this would put me at exactly 4 months and 2 days from my first payment I believe. (Not holding my breath, but will let everyone know when I get it)

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 05:58 Permalink
Bryan

Hi Marc,
You may want to contact your lawyer's office to confirm their amount of the payment, and also contact the SSA about this as they would be able to help you account for the missing $5,000.

Tue, 07/05/2016 - 12:41 Permalink
Marc (not verified)

Ok, so I've been rounding off the number here for simplicity. My original award letter in February said I'd get $35,830.80. Minus the $6,000 for the lawyer. So I was expecting $29,830.80. I get $24,440.70...so I was roughly saying I'm missing $5,000. ($5,390)
Then I got a letter on the 5th saying they had to withhold some money. They said I'd receive a check for $24,440.70 (which I got) and that they would pay the lawyer $6,000. But they also said my past due benefits are $53,724.80. I think they must have misprinted it and switched the 5 and 3. Still, if it is $35,724.80...there is a $106 in difference between the amount they said I was owed. Or $17,894 if the $53k number is accurate.
So today I check my account, and I have a deposit of $6,066.80. So now I'm totally lost! That would put my total backpay as: $30,507.50...and that doesn't leave room for the $6,000 for the lawyer...which he said he's already been paid! Only thing I can think of is $6,066.80 - $5,390 = $676.80...which may have been a reimbursement for paying into medicare the first few months, which they determined I didn't have too and it would be free.
IDK...I'll call my lawyer tomorrow and see if he has anything different.

Tue, 07/12/2016 - 22:56 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I got my reward letter for ssdi with the amount of my reward after they took the lawyer fee out today, I have already receive my last lump sum for ssi ,because I will not be getting ssi any longer ,and my ssdi,first payment start on the 3rd of next month so how some will I receive my back pay for ssdi? Thanks Chelle.

Thu, 05/12/2016 - 17:38 Permalink
Sleepy (not verified)

Just received my award letter telling me when I get my 1st payment and how much my back pay is. Just wanting to know when the bk pay is coming

Thu, 05/12/2016 - 23:01 Permalink

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