6 MONTHS BEFORE I GET A CHECK?

Social Security disability comes with a 5 month waiting period. They do not pay any benefit for the 5 months following date of onset OR the month you stopped working, whichever is later.

As a practical matter, however, it is often a 6-month waiting period. This is because the waiting period is 5 full months of disability. So if you have partial month of disability, that month simply doesn’t count. For example if you onset date is May 5th, you lose May through October to the waiting period.

The wait for Medicare insurance is even longer: 29 months from your onset date (unless you reach age 65 earlier).

The waiting period makes it very important to ask for the earliest onset date possible. When you file your initial claim you will state when you became disabled and when's the most recent date you worked. You should ask for the an onset date of the earliest day you were disabled AND were not working at substantial gainful activity.

If you work with a lawyer or qualified advocate, he or she will help you protect the earliest possible onset date, thus getting you more back-pay and and getting you a check earlier. If your onset date goes back 6 months or more--then you qualify for an almost immediate benefit because you've already run out out the 5-month waiting period.

There are so many things to consider in an SSDI claim. I usually feel that I earned my client more money than they would have got on their own. I really think my motto "Good representation isn't expensive, it's priceless" is a valid truth.

At the Forsythe Firm we are always happy to look at a case, provide a review and advise the client about the best approach. And we do this free without any fee or obligation. If we represent the client later, there's never any upfront fee required. We will be paid when the case settles but only if successful and only if back-pay (past due benefits) are obtained.

Reaching us for help is as simple as a phone call. (256) 799-0297.