After months or even years of waiting, Social Security has finally approved you for disability. What lies ahead may feel like a mixed bag of relief and uncertainty, and it may be overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
Approval is just the beginning of a new journey, and it’s important to understand the next steps to protect your benefits and plan for the future.
In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do after your disability approval, from reviewing your award letter and managing back pay to maintaining medical care and staying organized.
Don’t face Social Security alone.
In this article about being approved for disability:
Key Takeaways
- Approval is just the first step. After being approved for disability, it’s important to review your award letter, set up electronic payments, and confirm your contact information with the SSA.
- Stay organized and keep up with medical care. Continuing treatment, maintaining medical records, and saving all SSA correspondence can help protect your benefits during future reviews.
- Report changes and plan financially. You must report changes in work, income, health, or living situation to the SSA. You should also understand how back pay works and plan for taxes and ongoing expenses.
Immediately after disability approval
Once Social Security approves your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, be sure to carefully review your award letter. This document outlines important details such as your monthly benefit amount, when to expect your first Continuing Disability Review (CDR), and the official start date of your payments.
Next, make sure the Social Security Administration (SSA) has your up-to-date contact information, including your current address, phone number, and bank details. Keeping this information accurate helps avoid any future delays or issues with your benefits.
Additionally, expect and prepare for periodic CDR requests. Under federal law, the SSA must periodically review your medical condition to ensure that you still qualify for benefits. The SSA schedules these reviews based on the nature and severity of your condition and whether it is expected to improve.
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, you can set up direct deposit or sign up for a prepaid debit card for your monthly payments.
Federal law requires the SSA to make all federal benefit payments, including SSDI, electronically. It’s the fastest, most secure way to ensure you receive your disability benefits.
Financial planning after being approved for disability
Understanding how SSDI back pay works is incredibly important. This lump sum pays you for the time between your established disability onset date and the date Social Security approved your benefits.
If you’d like a rough idea of what you might get in back pay, you can access the SSA’s online calculator with your my Social Security account, or you can use our back pay calculator below.
Your Estimated SSDI Back Pay:
$0
This is an estimate. Actual back pay amounts may vary.
Another key tip is deciding whether to have federal taxes withheld from your benefits. You can pay the IRS directly when filing taxes each year, or you can choose to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly payment by submitting Form W-4V.
Medical considerations after disability approval
After your disability approval, keep up with medical care to protect your health and benefits. See your doctors regularly, follow treatment plans, and maintain detailed records of visits, treatments, and prescriptions for future SSA reviews.
Additionally, your healthcare coverage may differ depending on which benefits you’re receiving or if you’re receiving benefits from both Social Security programs. If you’re receiving SSDI, you’ll become eligible for Medicare after 24 months of entitlement to benefits.
Ongoing management after disability approval
After your disability approval, stay organized by keeping all SSA correspondence, medical records, and financial documents in a safe, accessible place. These records can be crucial if you face a review or need to appeal.
The SSA asks beneficiaries to report changes like a new job, marriage, or moving address as soon as possible. This also includes any improvements in your health or income you earn if you return to work.
How Woods & Woods can help
Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.
Claim what you worked for.
Frequently asked questions
After SSDI approval, review your award letter and set up your payment method. Keep your contact info current, continue medical care, stay organized, report any changes in health, work, or living situation, and be prepared for periodic SSA reviews to protect your benefits.
There is no one guaranteed way to keep your benefits. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances: Continuing regular medical care and following your treatment plans can show that you are taking your disability seriously. Report changes in your health, work status, or income to the SSA as needed, and be sure to respond promptly to any Continuing Disability Review (CDR) requests.
It can also be helpful to keep your medical and SSA records organized in case you need to refer to a past correspondence.
Lori Underwood
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She previously practiced Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney.
She has been an attorney at
Woods & Woods since 2014.
