How long will it take to start getting disability benefits after you have received an award notice?If you have received your SSI or Social Security disability award at the initial disability application or reconsideration appeal level, you will receive your benefits sooner than an individual who has been approved at the hearing level. Why is this? Initial disability claims and reconsideration appeals approvals are sent back immediately to local Social Security offices from Disability Determination Services (where disability cases are evaluated on the basis of medical evidence and vocational factors) to be adjudicated. Once your claim is back in your local office, a social security claims representative, or CR, completes all the necessary actions to get your claim into disability pay status. Generally, they are able to quickly adjudicate your disability claim and you will receive your Social Security Disability or SSI benefits the month you are entitled to receive disability benefits. What do I mean by month of entitlement? The month of entitlement is the actual month that you are entitled to receive disability benefits. You may have a future month of entitlement, because of the mandatory five month waiting period for Social Security Disability claims for which you are not entitled to receive disability benefits (note: SSI claims are not subject to a waiting period). If you do not have a future month of entitlement, your disability benefits may still be delayed if additional actions are needed to clear your disability claim for payment. If your disability claim requires a manual action to clear it for payment, it could take a little longer for you to receive disability benefits after you have been approved. Administrative law judge hearing allowances take longer to process, because most administrative law judge hearing decisions are written by decision writers rather than the judge. This means the decision writer must write the decision then send it to the ALJ for their approval. Once the ALJ has signs off on the written hearing decision, it is sent to a Social Security payment Center for processing. All of this takes time; therefore some individuals will not receive payment for a couple of months after they are approved for disability benefits (see Tips for Getting Disability Approved). According to the Social Security Administration, SSA is constantly striving to improve their disability approval processing times no matter at what level an individual's disability claim is approved. They realize that most disability applicants are experiencing financial hardships during the disability process and it is important for them to receive their disability benefits as soon as possible. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Will I Qualify For Disability Benefits in North Carolina? Chances of being denied disability after an examination What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and SSD Benefits? To qualify for disability, how severe must a condition be? How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don't Have Money To Go To the Doctor? How does Social Security determine if I am disabled? SSI reconsideration How long will it take to get a decision on SSD or SSI after a medical examination? Getting disability approved in Florida Getting a Disability Lawyer in Florida Qualifying for SSDI in Florida |
