What Is Social Security Disability Back Pay?

Waiting for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits can place a serious financial strain on you and your family. Because the disability approval process often takes months or longer, the Social Security Administration may owe you Social Security disability back pay, also known as SSDI back pay or past-due benefits. 

When you understand how disability back pay works and how much you may receive, you can better plan after your disability claim is approved. Below, we’ll explain what Social Security disability back pay is and walk you through the steps the SSA uses to calculate it.

What is Social Security disability back pay?

Social Security disability back pay, or “past-due benefits,” refers to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits the SSA owes you for months it did not pay before approving your disability application. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay for up to 12 months of back pay.

How does the SSA calculate Social Security disability back pay?

When you apply for SSDI benefits, the approval process can take time, but the SSA may pay back pay for the months you were entitled to benefits.

Figuring out approximately how much back pay you’ll receive is easy. To calculate how much you could get, just follow the steps below.

Step 1: Determine your disability onset date

The SSA determines your established onset date (EOD), which marks the date your condition began, as well as your eligibility for disability benefits. This date is crucial to calculating your back pay and is established through medical records, work history, and other evidence. 

Step 2: Determine your application date

Your application date is exactly what it sounds like: the date you officially applied for SSDI benefits. You may qualify for back pay if your EOD is established before your application date. 

Step 3: Find your approval date

The date the SSA approves your disability application is another crucial part of calculating your back pay amount. Social Security disability back pay is calculated from your EOD to your approval date, minus the five-month waiting period. 

The five-month waiting period

Generally, there is a five-month waiting period once you’re determined to be disabled before you begin to receive disability benefits. Unfortunately, you won’t qualify for back pay during this time.

Step 4: Calculate the total months that qualify for back pay

To determine the total number of months that qualify for back pay, you should count the months between the end of the five-month waiting period after your EOD and your approval date. 

Step 5: Multiply the number of months by your monthly benefit

Multiply the total number of eligible months you qualify for back pay by your approved monthly SSDI benefit amount. This calculation will give you an approximate total of back pay you qualify for. 

How much Social Security disability back pay could you get?

If you were wondering how much back pay you might get, you can use our back pay calculator to get an estimate of how much back pay you may get once your claim is approved. 

Your results are just an estimate. The SSA can change the rules at any time, however, this can give you a good idea.

Onset Date:

Application Date:

Approval Date:

Monthly SSDI Benefit:

$

Dependents or Qualifying Spouse:

Yes No

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.

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