How do I prove I am owed retroactive disability benefits in California?

It often takes a lot of time for disability applications to be processed. However, once approved, people who have applied will be entitled to retroactive or past due benefits, the amounts differing between the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and that of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

For the SSDI, a person is entitled retroactive disability benefits from the date of filing, plus up to one year prior this application date less five months of waiting period. For the SSI, on the other hand, an established onset date is set, which determines when the disability began. This actually points to the date when the claimant starts to be unable to work due to the disability. It is the Administrative Law Judge or the Disability Determination Service Examiner that ascertains this established onset date through the review of evidence like medical records and doctors’ observations. So the question of proof for retroactive disability benefits depends on two things: first, the establishment of the existence of the disability; and second, the date the application was filed or the established onset date as the case may be.

As mentioned above, the process, not to mention appeals, for Social Security benefits could take several months or even years to complete, payment of which goes as follows: if an applicant is approved for retroactive benefits that total less than $6,000, the claimant will receive a lump sum check for the amount; however, if the benefits total more than $6,000, the amount will be paid in installments, the conditions thereof depending on the particular program’s guidelines and the applicant’s income and resources.