When you can’t work due to a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can offer financial relief. However, many applicants are surprised to learn about the 5-month waiting period for SSDI. Understanding how this rule works and whether any exceptions apply can help you better prepare while your claim is processed.
To learn more about the SSDI waiting period, continue reading.
What Is the 5-Month Waiting Period for SSDI?
The Social Security Disability waiting period is a mandatory delay built into SSDI benefits. Once the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides you are disabled, you must wait 5 full months from your established onset date (EOD) before receiving benefits. This means your first payment is typically issued in the sixth full month after your disability began.
For example, if the SSA determines you qualified for SSDI as of January 15, your first benefit payment would come in the month of July. This is because when an EOD falls on a day after the first of the month, the waiting period starts on the first day of the following month.
Does the Waiting Period Apply to Both SSDI and SSI?
No, the 5-month waiting period for benefits applies only to Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI is based on your work history and Social Security tax contributions. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program, does not have a waiting period. If you qualify for SSI, you may begin receiving benefits the month after you meet eligibility requirements.
Are There Exceptions to the 5-Month Waiting Period for SSDI?
Yes. While most SSDI applicants must go through this delay, the SSA waives the waiting period in certain situations, including:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Applicants with ALS approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020, can receive payments immediately.
- Reinstatement of Benefits: If your SSDI benefits stopped because you returned to work, but you were unable to continue working due to your disability, the waiting period may not apply under an Expedited Reinstatement.
Our experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in Missouri can review your case to determine if you qualify for an exception.
When Does the Waiting Period Start?
The SSDI waiting period begins on your EOD, or the date the SSA determines you qualified for benefits. This may differ from the date you stopped working or the date you applied. The onset date is determined through a review of your medical records, work history, and other evidence.
What Is the Purpose of the Social Security Disability 5-Month Waiting Period?
The SSA’s reasoning for the five-month waiting period is to ensure that SSDI benefits go to people with serious and enduring disabilities. It also gives the SSA time to process claims and verify medical evidence.
How the Waiting Period Affects Back Pay
Many people receive SSDI back pay. Back pay covers benefits owed from the time between when you applied for disability and were approved. Retroactive back pay covers the time between when you became eligible for SSDI and when your claim was approved.
The 5-month disability waiting period is deducted from your back pay. This means you won’t receive payments for those first 5 months, even if your disability began well before your application date. For example, if the SSA finds you became disabled 12 months before you applied, you could still only receive retroactive back pay for 7 months of that time period.
However, this also means that if you wait at least 5 months for claim approval, that time is counted towards your waiting period. Therefore, you would start receiving SSDI benefits immediately once the SSA approves your disability claim.
Why Work With an SSDI Attorney?
The waiting period for SSDI is just one of many complex rules that can affect your benefits. At Grundy Disability Group, we help clients throughout Missouri, Kansas, Northeast Oklahoma, the Tulsa area, Northwest Arkansas, and the Fort Smith area. See our service areas.
We help you navigate every step of the Social Security Disability benefits process. Attorney Matthew Grundy is a fourth-generation attorney, and he and his legal team bring deep local ties and a respected reputation to every case.
Our law firm is committed to protecting your rights and securing the benefits you deserve. Whether you’re applying for the first time, appealing a denial, or trying to understand exceptions to the 5-month waiting period, we provide the guidance and advocacy you need.
Get Experienced Help With Your SSDI Claim
The Social Security Disability claims process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re coping with a serious medical condition. Let Grundy Disability Group handle the paperwork and deadlines so you can focus on your health. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the benefits you need.
