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If My Social Security Claim Is Approved When Will I Receive the Benefits?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Filing for Social Security benefits is rarely a simple task, and a Social Security benefits lawyer is often crucial to getting through the process. While applying at the time of retirement seems straightforward, there can be complications related to how long you worked at jobs that are eligible for Social Security benefits.

These restrictions even apply to people with disabilities. The process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments can be long and complex, depending on which hearings and claims processes you have to deal with.

If you’re waiting to see if the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves your claim, you’re likely trying to plan for different financial scenarios.

How it Works for Retirees

If you apply for retirement benefits right after your 62nd birthday, you will typically get your first month of Social Security benefits within 90 days of your 62nd birthday. The SSA does not provide partial month payments. If your birthday is in August and you apply right after your birthday, you’ll get your first month of benefits for September, but it won’t be paid out until October.

The exception to this rule is if your birthday is on the first or second day of the month, in which case you will receive full benefits for that month. Additionally, this one-month-after rule does not apply if you are filing at ages older than 62.

Applying three months ahead of your 62nd birthday will help make sure that you start receiving benefits in the first full month after you turn 62. There are rarely significant delays in processing unless there are problems with your work history.

Receiving Disability Benefits

Approval of a disability claim can take months, and if your claim is denied, the appeals process can take several additional months. After you finally have your claim approved, you should begin receiving SSDI payments within 3-4 months. If you are approved for back pay, those payments may take 3-4 months to receive as well. SSI recipients tend to receive their payments within less than 2 months.

However, SSDI claims are subject to a 5-month waiting period during which the recipient cannot have been gainfully employed. That 5-month waiting period starts the full month after you became disabled. For example, if you became disabled on April 10, then your waiting period would go until September 30, and you would be eligible for benefits in October. This applies even if you receive an award letter before the end of the waiting period.

If you’re currently receiving disability benefits but are applying for full retirement payments due to turning 62, you will receive your new increased payments the month after you turn 62. However, you should receive that increase automatically without having to file additional paperwork.

Monthly Payment Dates

For retirees and SSDI recipients, the monthly pay date depends on your birthday. If your birthday falls on the 1st through 10th of your birth month, then you will receive your deposit on the second Wednesday of every month. Individuals with birthdates on the 11th through 20th will be paid on the third Wednesday, and birthdates on the 21st through 31st will be paid on the fourth Wednesday.

SSI recipients are paid on the third Wednesday of the month. If you are receiving a combination of retirement and disability benefits, or SSI and SSDI together, all of your payments will be on the third Wednesday of every month.

The exception to the above is if bank holidays fall on those days, in which case the payment would be made the previous business day.

What if I’m Not Receiving My Benefits?

The SSA typically direct deposit your monthly payments. If it’s been more than a few months since you’ve been approved but haven’t received payment, it’s important to be proactive and investigate.

If you think your Social Security claim is being mismanaged or unfairly denied, you may need an experienced Social Security disability lawyer’s help. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help you get the benefits you deserve. Our medical attorney team has significant experience with handling disability benefits and will manage your case quickly and professionally. Call us at 866-MICH-LAW for a free consultation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Hannah Johnson has her Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs with a specialization in civic engagement. Her career has focused on labor-related research, including unions, workers' compensation, and contract law. She is now broadening her career to include research and policy analysis in East Asia, specifically in countries like South Korea and Japan where the aging population is creating a new frontier in economic trends and public policy innovation.

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