Waiting Period For Social Security Disability Benefits

Many applicants who file a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits falsely assume that once they have filed for disability benefits, they will begin receiving payments. However, the SSDI benefit claims process involves many steps. Those steps can take some time due to the volume of documentation required in the application process and the time it takes to review such documentation. One of the steps in that process is a required waiting period before benefit payments can begin.

An applicant for SSDI benefits must meet the following minimum requirements before disability payments can begin:

The applicant’s medical condition is a qualifying disability
The applicant (or their parent or spouse) has met SSA’s employment and earnings requirements
The applicant has disability insurance
The applicant is not able to engage in any substantial work
The applicant has filed a claim for SSDI benefits
The applicant is not retired
The applicant has completed the mandatory waiting period

Why is There a Waiting Period for SSDI Benefit Payments?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires applicants to wait five months after eligibility before starting your monthly payments. The SSA established a waiting period to allow time to confirm:

The severity of your medical condition
When the condition began
Whether the medical condition qualifies as a long-term disability
Whether you are unable to work for twelve months or more.

How the Waiting Period for Disability is Calculated

The waiting period is not dependent on when you filed for SSDI benefits. Instead, the period begins when the SSA determines your disability began (referred to as the established onset date. The SSDI waiting period lasts five consecutive calendar months after the established onset date, so payments start at the beginning of the sixth calendar month.

Retroactive Benefits. Suppose the SSA determines that your established onset date (EOD) occurred before your application date. In that case, you are eligible to retroactively receive the money you would have been paid had your application been submitted on the date you became disabled. The five-month waiting period applies to retroactive benefits. As such, your EOD must fall no more than 17 months before the date the SSA approves your application.

For example, someone filed for SSDI benefits on August 30, 2023, and the SSA determined their EOD date was May 1, 2023. Assuming a five-month processing period for the claim and the person was eligible for SSDI benefits, their payments should begin June 1, 2024. They would also be entitled to back payments for the four months between their EOD and the application date.

Three Exceptions to the SSDI Waiting Period

There are some situations for which the SSDI five-month waiting period can be waived, such as the following:

ALS diagnosis

The SSA can waive the five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits if your disability is due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease progresses rapidly, and there is no cure.

Dependents of Disabled Workers

The SSA can waive the waiting period for a disabled worker’s dependents that are eligible for SSDI benefits. These dependents include:

A spouse or single ex-spouse over the age of 62 caring for a disabled child younger than 16 who qualifies for disability benefits.

An adult child whose disability began before the claimant turned 22 or age 19 if they are in high school.

Expedited Reinstatement

The SSA can waive the waiting period if a worker was previously approved for SSDI, recovered from the disability, returned to work, and had the same or a related disability occur.

The Effect of the Waiting Period on SSDI Applicants

The initial application review process can take between 3-5 months. After the initial eligibility criteria have been met and the date your disability began confirmed, the five-month waiting period begins.

Delayed Benefits. SSA won’t pay any disability benefits for the first five months you are eligible.
Financial Hardship. Unless you have some other source of income, you may experience some financial hardship while you wait for SSDI Payments to begin.

Strategies to Consider for Faster Payment Processing

All SSDI applicants are subject to the waiting period unless they meet one of the three criteria for an exception. However, you can do some things that may shorten the initial eligibility processing time.

Take time to assess the requirements to receive benefits receipt. Before you stop working and start the SSDI application process, make sure you are informed of the eligibility criteria and how the process works so you can prepare accordingly,
Apply Early. Apply for SSDI Benefits as soon as possible after becoming disabled.
Meet all medical criteria as soon as possible. Prior to filing for SSDI benefits, make sure you have a medical diagnosis for your condition, all medical tests are completed, a plan of care has been prescribed and adhered to, and all medical documentation is in order.
Make sure your application includes all required documentation. Claims examiners that determine an application is complete and includes all documentation can flag them for faster processing. However, you will still be subject to the five-month waiting period.
Military Veterans may be entitled to faster processing. If you are a military veteran who became disabled while on active duty, notify the SSA at the start of the application process.
People with critical and life-threatening disorders or diseases may receive faster processing. The SSA automaticallyexpedites application processing for people with eligible medical conditions that are likely to cause death under the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) Program.
Consider legal guidance. A disability attorney may provide needed assistance in gathering evidence of your medical condition, preparing your SSDI claim application, and handling appeals if the initial claim is denied.

Look Into Other Sources of Financial Assistance

The SSDI application process and waiting period can be lengthy. The following state and federal resources can help you and your family make ends meet during the wait.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program administered by The SSA but funded by the U.S. Treasury revenues. SSI pays benefits to people who are over 65, are blind, or disabled and have low income and few financial resources. While you will need to meet eligibility criteria, once you are determined eligible, payments begin. SSI is not subject to any waiting period. If you qualify for SSDI and SSI, you could use SSI payments while you wait for the SSDI waiting period to end.

Workers’ Compensation. Most states require employers provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for theiremployees. Should a worker become ill or injured on the job, they are entitled to benefits to cover medical costs, income for lost wages, disability pay, etc. Workers’ comp laws vary by state. To apply for benefits under workers’ comp, you must report your illness or injury to your employer, who will notify the insurance provider.

Low-income Assistance Programs. The federal government offers several programs through local agency offices in each state to help families experiencing financial hardship.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people afford to purchase nutritious food if they are determined to be eligible.

Temporary Assistance to help Needy Families (TANF) can help people with childcare, food, housing, and utilities if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Veteran’s Administration hardship assistance. (VAHA) If you are a military veteran under VA medical care and cannot afford to pay your VA bills, you can apply for financial assistance through the VA.

Short-term Disability Insurance. Many states offer some short-term disability insurance assistance for people who are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness. Contact your state’s disability assistance office to determine how to qualify and apply.

SSDI benefits can be a welcome source of income for those individuals who have suffered a medical condition that is long-term or life-threatening. The timeline to get through the initial eligibility process and the subsequent waiting period may cause financial issues for applicants. Understanding the application requirements and process and taking advantage of the available financial assistance can help you to get through the waiting period.

For more information on SSDI benefits and the application process, visit the Social Security Administration’s official website.

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