Social Security Disability Retroactive Benefits in South Carolina   I'll devote this page to discussing Social Security Disability, SSI, and retroactive benefits. First of all, let's clear up some confusion that many, perhaps most, claimants seem to have about retroactive benefits. And that confusion is this---retroactive benefits are not the same thing as back pay, or a back payment (also known as past due benefits). Resources: 1. What is Social Security Disability Back Pay? 2. What is the most back pay you can get? 3. How Far Back Will Social Security Pay Benefits? 4. Is it too late for file for last year's disability benefits, or retroactive benefits? Back pay tends to be payable to claimants who are approved for disability in South Carolina chiefly as a function of how long their cases have gone on, or lingered in the system. In other words, if a person -- A) decides to file for disability, B) gets denied, C) files their first appeal, D) gets denied on this (known as a disability reconsideration), E) makes a request for a disability hearing, F) waits for the hearing to be scheduled (which can take a very long time), G) finally gets a hearing date and appears at the hearing site on that date, H) waits for the decision of an ALJ or administrative law judge (which again, can be a very long time), I) waits to be put into pay status J) and finally receives their continuing disability benefits and social security back pay or SSI back pay ---- then quite a bit of time has probably gone by. Quite possibly up to three years or more. Of course, with so much time elapsed since the filing of a disability claim, social security will determine that they owe the claimant back pay. How much back pay...will be determined by--- A) When the disability application was filed, B) What the EOD was determined to be (this stands for established onset of disability and it is a determination of when a claimant's disability is considered to have begun, based on a review of the medical records), C) And whether or not the claim was for title II SSD (Social Security Disability) benefits or title 16 SSI disability benefits. Why does it make a difference as to whether or not the claim was for SSD or SSI? Because SSD has a five month waiting period. In most cases, there is no actual "waiting"; however, the waiting period does eliminate five months of a claimants receivable benefits, similar to an elimination period on a private disability insurance policy. SSI, by contrast, has no five month waiting period meaning that they won't be, for lack of a better phrase, robbed of five months worth of benefits. That, in essence, is back pay. So, what are retroactive benefits? Recall how we pointed out that only SSD and not SSI has a five month waiting period (which, let's be honest is very unfair). Well, only SSD has retroactive benefits. Back pay and retroactive benefits are commonly confused with each other. And part of the problem with this is that individuals who work within the system sometimes say "retroactive" when they mean "back pay", and sometimes say "SS back pay" when they mean "retroactive". Retroactive benefits are only payable to claimants who are approved for Social Security Disability benefits and a claimant may receive a maximum of 12 months of retroactive benefits. What determines whether or not you can receive retroactive benefits, and how much? 1. You can receive up to 12 months of benefits retroactive to your date of application. 2. Whether or not you receive any months of retroactive payments will depend on when you claimed your disability began (your AOD, or alleged onset of disability) and when your disability is decided to have begun by a disability examiner or a disability judge (your EOD, or established onset of disability). 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? Filing for disability in South Carolina If you File or apply for Disability in South Carolina How long does it take to get a disability decision in South Carolina? Where do you begin when applying for disability benefits in South Carolina? What to bring when applying for disability in South Carolina Applying for SSI Disability Benefits in South Carolina What happens after you apply for disability in South Carolina? If you file for disability in South Carolina and get denied South Carolina disability back pay benefits Social Security Disability Retroactive Benefits in South Carolina Getting Social Security Disability back pay in South Carolina South Carolina disability tips South Carolina Social Security Disability appeal tips How to apply for disability in South Carolina and get approved? How to get awarded disability in South Carolina How to qualify for disability in South Carolina South Carolina Disability Doctors Help Your Doctor Help You to Win disability in South Carolina A Disability Exam in South Carolina Social Security Disability DDS doctors in South Carolina Medical Conditions and SSD SSI in South Carolina You Must be Disabled for a Year to get disability in South Carolina Social Security Disability for Mental and Physical Problems in South Carolina List Mental Conditions on a Disability Application in South Carolina South Carolina disability applications and your condition Disability hearings in South Carolina Social Security Disability Hearing Decisions in South Carolina Disability Hearing in South Carolina offers a chance for winning benefits Disability hearing in South Carolina, what happens? Disability denials in South Carolina If you lose your disability case in South Carolina Social Security Disability appeals in South Carolina Disability appeals in South Carolina When a Social Security Disability claim gets denied in South Carolina Should You Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial in South Carolina? Appealing a denial of Social Security Disability in South Carolina Qualifying for disability in South Carolina Qualifying for Disability in South Carolina Who qualifies for disability in South Carolina? Will you get Approved for Disability in South Carolina? Disability cases to win in South Carolina Disability lawyers in South Carolina South Carolina Disability lawyer, hiring Using a Social Security Disability Attorney in South Carolina How to pick a disability lawyer in South Carolina Get a Good Disability Attorney or Disability Representative in South Carolina