DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT 5 MONTHS FOR A DISABILITY BENEFIT? WHY?

Social Security Disability Insurance (called SSDI for short) is designed to replace part of your income when you become unable to work. The law requires a mandatory 5-month waiting period for everyone. Simply put, SSDI will not pay for the first 5 full months of a disability. This is called the "waiting period."

The waiting period can be confusing. Here are some facts you should know about it.

• The starting point for the five-month waiting period is the date that the applicant became disabled and unable to work. (This is called the "onset date").

• This date is likely not the same as when the person applied for benefits or when the person received an approval for benefits.

• The date could be days, weeks or months before the person chose to apply.

• If a person became disabled several months before gaining approval for SSDI, that individual could receive a payment much sooner than someone who was disabled for a short time before being approved. (Waiting period may already be met).

• The SSA pays benefits the month after they are due, which means that some people could technically wait six months before they receive their first payment.

• The review of SSDI applications can take the SSA months to complete, so the wait period may already be over by the time of approval for some applicants.

• If more than 5 months pass between the date of disability and the date of approval, back pay may due from Social Security. This will come in a lump sum payment.

Remove the confusion and go forward with knowledge and confidence. Let the Forsythe Firm handle your application process, including appeals. Get the maximum disability benefit available with the shortest delay possible. We have helped thousands of applicants for decades with a very high rate of success!

Call for a free, local consultation. (256) 799-0297.