How far back does Social Security pay disability benefits?

Well, actually I am in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado

1) You should talk to your lawyer since you have one. Your lawyer will know average processing times in your area.
2) Yup, sometimes the cases is decided at the hearing, but then a person waits, and waits (and waits) for the *written* decision to be issued. But, at least then you know what the decision will be.

This communication is not legal advice does nor does it form an attorney-client relationship. No representation is provided without a validly executed fee agreement.

Hi Paul,
I got my fully favorible award letter from the ALJ in NC. The onset date is July 2007 which means I should be getting a back pay or several back pay checks. My question is that I do not have a represenative payee my money will be direct deposited in my Credit Union account. I read somewhere I had to keep up with every penny I spend of my back pay, is this correct? I have people I have borrowed $2000.00 from that will not want to give me a reciept. I owe a lot of people like this. How will I keep account of this to show SSA. It seems to me like it is my money they owe me and I should not have to prove anything to them concerning my back pay. Do we not have a constitution and bill of rights to protect us from such as this?
Thank you for your time

Not being a lawyer, I think I know why this is. Money we accepted while waiting for the disability claim to come in cannot be a gift; money people loaned us can be acceptable if paperwork was done, bank records etc.. If we put it on a mortage or something, I don't think it will matter – remember, I am not a lawyer

Hi Martin,

It depends on the backlog on getting decisions written at your ODAR office. Give the office a call (their phone number is on the Notice of Hearing) and ask for a rough estimate on how long it is typically taking to get decisions back from decision writers.

Good luck!

They should be able to give you some idea.

Mr. Stasiuk,

I was recently awarded ssd (first check to be August 2010). The onset is Juy 2009 with benefits to be paid starting December 2009 per a letter from ssa. I understand I will get backpay to the December 2009 date at some point in the future. Last week I received a call from ssa to bring documentation in of my two children under 18 for auxillary benefits. Will I also get backpay to december 2009 for my childrens benefits?

Thank you for your time.

Gene in Maryland.

I received a favorable decision after years & years of denials. My question is who can I speak to about when I will receive the backpay other than another Social Security worker at the SS.office or at the states main Social Security number that I have spoken to over & over & over & over by various people at the Social Security office in person & over the phone & I have been told time & time again that it will be within 30 days & that started back in June/July of this year. I just wanted to know if there was someone like a supervisor or a person of interest that can give me a straight answer. I just spoke to another worker that stated it was at the last stage which was the review part of it & once it’s reviewed it would be sent out. From that time it would take 10 to 15 days to receive it. Now I’ve spoken to a couple of other people would claim that there’s was completed after mine & that they have already received their back pay checks months ago. I just want to speak to someone that knows what there talking about if possible someone in charge down at the Social Security office. I have so many names of different people I have already spoken to. I just don’t want to be lied to AGAIN..can you point me in the right direction on who I can ask for what title do they carry at the Social Security office, someone maybe other than another worker that doesn’t know what there doing or talking about. I feel if I don’t talk to the right person it’s gonna take another 6 to 8 mos. I was also told “Oh don’t worry you will have it way before the holidays” well here we are & I’m still being told “Once it gets reviewed” AGAIN. Thank You for any help you can give me.
Peaches1

I am not aware of anyone that can make the processing of benefits go faster. As a practical matter, I don’t think there is much that can be done to make this step go faster.

An individual can keep in touch with their case worked to make sure the case worker is not waiting on information.

What it sounds like you are asking for is the equivalent of a “refund anticipation loan,” which are offered by tax prep places. Those are often some of the most high interest loans an individual can have. I do not believe that there us anything like that available for Social Security back benefits.

How far back can SS go in determining overpayment.  Their letter said they wanted 5 yrs info from work comp but after getting it, they requested all my work comp payment records going back 12 yrs.

I was at my hearing this last Friday and my last day of work since I was hurt was back in 1999.  the doctor who was on the phone evaluating my case said he placed my disability time as Feb 2005.  I am insured until March of 2005. 
The judge was hesitant to allow this; he gave me an extra day to decide before he proceeds with a bench ruling in my favor.
Should I do this?  Should I freeze 5 years of time where I couldn’t work?  I have good medical records stating I was in a lot of pain and have bilateral carpal tunnel and bilateral epicondolitis.  I have ddd and spinal stenosis and am basically bed-ridden.
I need help asap. 
I don’t trust this attorney as he was not the one I initially hired.  My initial attorney informed a few days before my hearing that she was not an attorney at this point because she didn’t keep up  with the bar’s requirements and a partner of her firm took my case whom I never met until the day of my hearing!  Please help!