How To Get Back Payments For Social Security Benefits

When a worker becomes disabled due to an injury in the work place, financial losses are compensated by means of social security disability benefits. However, the claims can take a long time for processing to be completed. During this period, if you have limited resources of income or income possibilities with required medical qualifications, then you are compensated with receiving Social Security disability back pay benefit for the period starting from the date of disability benefits application.

How to Get It?

There is no special form to be filled for getting this back pay as it is a retroactive payment for the time period which was taken for processing. The payment is paid anywhere from the date of application up to 12 months. Since there is a 5-month waiting period, Social Security Administration (SSA) will eliminate benefits for those 5 months and the rest will be paid as social security back benefits. The time period required for getting this back pay benefits is not clearly known and another point of concern is that it will not be paid in lump sum so that your income and resource limit does not get affected for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits.

Back Payment Process

• Apply for Social Security Benefits - Once you have checked your eligibility for social security disability benefits, fill the appropriate form and attach all the required evidence documents. 

• Medical Documents - Medical documents submitted along with the form should be duly certified by the physician and clearly mention the EOD (established onset date). It refers to the date from when the disability started. If you possess the documents showing the medical examinations and treatments undergone till the date of your application, then they have to be submitted in order to claim the medical benefits. 

• Waiting Period - When the application is being processed, you might be asked to send additional supportive documents to the SSA office. Send them after double checking with your physician and attorney. You will have to wait until the payments are made. Once you get the payments, calculate the back pay amount and verify it with the local SSA office depending on your waiting period. 

Getting Legal Help

Approach a workers’ compensation or disability benefits lawyer to get more accurate legal details. You can consult the attorney even before filing your application in order to submit it with necessary documents. His/her advice and suggestions can help you in getting the back pay without much hassles and delay.