Projecting SSD payment dates with a Social Security attorney
The Social Security Disability claim evaluation process can be lengthy. As a result, once a claim is approved, many applicants in Illinois want to know when they will start receiving benefits. The date that benefits begin can vary significantly between applicants, as any Social Security attorney could attest. This is because numerous factors affect when SSD payments start.
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Waiting periods
After a claim is approved, the Social Security Administration verifies each applicant’s eligibility for benefits. The SSA checks whether an applicant has started performing “substantial gainful activity.” If an applicant qualifies for Supplemental Security Income, the SSA also confirms that the applicant meets financial criteria.
For these reasons, Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries may receive their benefits before SSI beneficiaries. SSDI benefits may be disbursed the month after claim approval, while SSI payments often arrive two or three months later. However, SSDI beneficiaries may have to wait longer because of the mandatory SSDI waiting period.
The SSA withholds SSDI benefits until five months after the disability onset date. Often, this waiting period ends before a claim is even approved. However, people who qualified for expedited claim processing may have to wait for this period to pass.
Payment schedule
SSD benefits are paid in arrears. As a Social Security attorney could explain, beneficiaries don’t receive checks during the month in which they first qualify for benefits. Instead, they receive payment the following month. Consequently, SSDI beneficiaries cannot collect benefits until six months after the disability onset date.
The type of benefit a person receives affects the date that payments arrive. SSD benefits are disbursed throughout the month on the following dates:
- SSI beneficiaries receive payments on the first day of each month. If the first day falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are made on the last business day of the previous month.
- SSDI beneficiaries with birthdays during the first 10 days of the month receive benefits on the second Wednesday.
- SSDI beneficiaries with birthdays during the second 10 days of the month receive benefits on the third Wednesday.
- Other SSDI beneficiaries receive benefits on the fourth Wednesday.
People who are eligible for both SSI and SSDI benefits receive their payments on the third day of the month. When this date falls on weekends or holidays, the payment date changes to the last business day before.
Tracking payments
After claim approval, each claimant should receive a Notice of Award letter. As a Social Security attorney could explain, this letter details the payment amount, disability onset date and payment date. If payments have not started by this date, beneficiaries may want to contact Social Security to check the status of their payments.
