6Jun

I won my Social Security case! When do I get my benefits?

By Tomasz Stasiuk, June 6th, 2008 | 5 Starting Benefits | 73 Comments

After waiting months (even years) to get your Social Security hearing, and then months more to get the decision, you finally have it! Social Security has found you disabled. It is “Favorable” (either Fully Favorable or Partly Favorable).

Ok, now what? When do my benefits begin?

Here’s the thing: Social Security disability claims have two parts:

Part 1. Determining if you are disabled? That was what the hearing was about.
Part 2. Determining your eligibility for benefits, the benefit amount, and the amount of back benefits if any.

Part 1 is done. Part 2 is just starting…

Social Security needs to determine your monthly benefits and the amount of your back benefits.

If you were applying for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your benefits for each program are calculated separately by different Social Security offices. In other words, your file now flies off in two separate directions. SSDI is processed by a regional payment center, while your SSI benefits are processed by your local Social Security office.

Once the processing is complete, you will receive separate notices about your benefits for each program. In the upper left side of each notice it will either say “Retirement, Survivors & Disability Insurance” or “Supplemental Security Income.” That is how you know whether the letter is talking about your SSDI or SSI benefits.

Your SSDI benefits will probably be calculated first. Once your monthly benefits and back benefits are calculated you will receive a “Notice of Award” letter, summarizing your benefits. This is usually followed by an “Important Information” letter, which gives you more information, including when you can expect payment.

Your SSI benefits are handled by your local Social Security office. You have to be disabled and qualify financially to receive SSI. Your local Social Security office will contact you to go over your income and assets to see if you still qualify. Please note: Social Security will consider your SSDI benefits in determining your financial eligibility for SSI. So, your SSI benefits may be reduced or eliminated for any months that you also receive SSDI benefits.

Just as under the SSDI program, you will receive a “Notice of Award” letter followed by an “Important Information” letter describing your Supplemental Security Income benefits and when you can expect a check.

Processing your benefits should take approximately thirty (30) to ninety (90) days.

The good news is that this part of your Social Security case is mostly automatic. You may be asked to provide pay stubs, bank statements or other documents, but remember you are in the home stretch!

photo credit: thomas_sly

Tomasz Stasiuk is the founding attorney of the Stasiuk Firm - a law firm devoted to exclusively handling Social Security disability cases in Colorado. Contingent fees available.

http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

That’s very frustrating. Especially since you don’t know what happened. Hopefully the denial letter will give you some idea of what happened. The denial also lays out your appeal options. If SSA just denies the claiming stating you are not disabled, you can still appeal to the next stage (either a Reconsideration or a Hearing — depending on your state). You can also appeal if there was a different problem. But, it all depends on what the denial says.
Milton Nessa

I have a question about my case i was once a ward of the state and i have never had a real job just odds jobs like McDonald domino’s telemarketing hair dresser i receive my earning statement at the end of the year and it says i got have my credits to retire and i am only 31 so that’s good but my question i applied for ssi and disability i gave them all my medical records since 2001 they sent me to the consultative examination and they said i have ptsd now i am wondering how long will i hear from them since to me it was going pretty quick the claim cause i filed in July and its September and had my examine so how long now before i know
Milton Nessa

and i also wanted to know can you get advisability for such a diagnosis for ptsd and the fact that i was with the state which caused my ptsd. When i filed and did my phone interview she asked me haven’t anyone tried to file these benefits for you in the past i said i don’t know i was a ward of the state in the age of 21 and realized that i cant make it out here on my own i have nightmares about the things that happen to me in the so when i went to the examination the lady said i have ptsd and i should get approved so i wonder how long its going to take. I call ed and the lady said that they haven’t got the report back but then when i call the 1800 number they say its at the field office so what should i do now
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

Once Social Security has the necessary medical records and a consultative examination report, it usually does not take very long from them to make a decision. If you want a time estimate, I would venture a guess of 2 to 6 weeks. The case worker should have an idea of what, if anything, needs to be done before the decision can be made.

As far as possible steps to take to improve one’s chances, that’s where getting a representative can really help.
James

I have gotten approved But I got a partially favorable decision and I got told to show up for an appointment but they still haven’t told me if I’m getting paid the norm or what or even when I’m getting back pay from or nothing. How long does it usually take for a partially favorable decision recipient to figure out how much I get and when I’m gonna get it. Help n e one lol.
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

You can read up on partly favorable decisions here: http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2008/06/i-got-a-partly-favorable-decision-what-does-that-mean-am-i-partly-disabled/

If they are doing an in-office appointment, chances are it is an SSI claim. The appointment is often to go over income and assets to determine the benefit amount, and determine back benefits.

Good luck, James!
DISQUS SUCKS DICK

Had my hearing on Sept. 1st and the judge stated I would receive a fully favorable decision in the mail. Got the decision in less than a month. The 24th is when I actually received it. I’ll have 28 months of back pay according to the judge’s ruling. Now I assume the SSA office is calculating payments and back pay, can I expect an award / statement letter and eventually a payment within 30-90 days? Is that 30 – 90 days from the date I got the judge’s letter or 30-90 days from the beginning?
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

Estimates are from the prior step. So, ~45-90 days to get a decision from the date of the hearing. ~30-90 days to get an award letter from the decision.

Do you prefer a different comment engine to Disqus?
Sweetlove333_77

My daughter had a hearing in June 2011 she has therthering of the spinal cord, carpal tunnel, unlar nerve, left arm loss of use 45% She could get ssi but Hubby makes to much, the judge requested she go to Mental/Ortho doc, where the reports say on mental end Bi-polar1, Post tramtic stress ( chronic), Obsessive compulsive disorder, Mood disorder, and borderline intellectial functioning.. Also said she can’t handle money. The Ortho put her as she could do all thing 1/3 of a 8 hr day ( whatever that means) Ortho also stated that this would last more then 12 months THAT appt WAS July 2011, and still havent heard anything< What are the odds of her getting approved ?
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

From what you describe, it sounds like she has a case. However, the outcome depends on the records.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HHOMFDE7GX7V2UJ34JWGQRY4EM Git some

I recently called SS to setup direct deposit for my monthly payments. My lawyer called me and told me in may that my case was reviewed and I won. I still have not receive my award letter but the operator at the SS office I spoke with told me my first payment should begin next month. Why are they going to start the payment without the award letter?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HHOMFDE7GX7V2UJ34JWGQRY4EM Git some

So there is no back payment just payment from the date of hearing until one actually receives award letter?
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

Back benefits depend on the type of case (SSDI vs SSI), the filing date, and how far back the judge found an individual disabled. This goes over it: http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2009/04/how-far-back-does-social-security-pay-benefits/
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

Check out: http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2010/02/super-fast-social-security-disability-benefits/
Lawman16558

I filed for SSI and SSA in 1997, the lawyer I had at the time did not do anything for me at the hearing niether did appeal withing the 60 day piriod, so I hires another lawyer and he filed a appeal for good cause, we still waiting, in the mean time I file a new application and got deined, back in august got a letter saying thet I should get a letter soon for my hearing, but nothing yet in the mean time I’ve had 4 heart attacts and was Baker Act for trying to commit suicied.
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

You’re appealing a more than 10 year old case? Sounds tricky. I’m glad you are getting help.
Lisa G.

I had a hearing in August 2011. Recieved a decision from the judge right at the hearing and then 2 weeks later on September 16th I recieved the copy of his decision as fully favorable. It is now going on over 60 days since the hearing and I have heard nothing! How much longer is this going to take? Should I contact my lawyer?
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

Well, 60 days post hearing doesn’t mean anything when it comes to processing benefits. The date of the hearing is not the significant event; the decision is.

While a judge may tell you what the decision will be and even enter in into the record, it’s the *paperwork* that’s important. Social Security cannot process benefits without a decision.

You mention the decision was entered on 09/16/11. So you are 45 days from the date of the decision which isn’t very long when were are talking about average times for processing benefits. However, you are right around the time where I see benefits being paid out. So, hopefully you will see something soon.

However, go ahead and contact your lawyer to discuss how long it typically takes to process benefits in your area after the decision is issued. And congrats on winning Lisa!
Lisa G.

Thank you! I was so glad I got the decision while I was sitting there! Contacted my lawyer today. Apparently the fee agreement that he signed was lost at the payment center and another one had to be sent. My lawyer still has NOT been paid! I am getting so angry! I hope this resolves soon!
freddy m

ive been getting ssi benefits for 20 years,sense november 91 went to the ssa office on the 8th of this month and now i quilify for retirement social security and ssi. my question is, i have2 infant kids now, how far back will they quilify for, i get 424.00 a month social security one child is 30 months and the other is 15 months.i called the ssa and they said its in processing, how long should it take to hear back from them.i turned 62 in march of this year
freddy m

oh yea i will start getting my monthy benefits in dec
Purpleb27

I was denied SSDI twice now. The second time was admittingly done by not seeing the documents my attorney sent electronically. These docs included a letter from my doctor stating I am disabled. When I asked if they could reconsider their decision since they realized their error I was told “that is not how it works”. So we are now waiting for a date to see a judge. In my letter explaining that it will take 9-12 months to have my day it stated they may decide my case in my favor, with out a hearing. My questions is….what is the likelyhood of that really happening?? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
http://www.Planet10Tech.com TomaszStasiuk

I don’t know your case so I really can’t say: http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2011/11/i-have-can-i-win-my-social-security-disability-case/