Is There a Waiting Period for SSD Benefits?

If you are facing a disability and require assistance to maintain your standard of living, there are important and specific actions you need to take in order to secure benefits.

Being approved for social security disability (SSD) benefits is one of the best ways to secure your future, but there are many details you need to prepare for, including the waiting period that could influence your ability to support your family. Below, we go into further detail about the five-month waiting period and exceptions to this time frame.

The Five-Month Waiting Period

The five-month waiting period begins from your established onset date (EOD). This is the day that the Social Security Administration (SSA) accepts your disability. However, this does not refer to the date of your approval for benefits. Your claim will need to be filed within seventeen months of your EOD in order to be eligible for SSD benefits.

The rule states that you will not be able to receive your SSD benefits until five months have passed since your EOD. If your social security claim is approved after this date, you will not have to wait to start collecting SSD benefits.

Exceptions You Need to Know

There are three exceptions to the five-month waiting period and if any of these apply to you, you will not have to wait five months after your EOD to begin receiving benefits. These exceptions include the following:

Claimants seeking benefits for children of disabled workers
Claimants seeking supplemental security income (SSI)
Individuals who were previously approved for SSD and are being reinstated for benefits within five years of their EOD

Work with a Qualified SSD Lawyer in MA

When you are concerned with how the SSA’s five-month waiting period might influence the outcome of your social security disability claim, contact a MA SSD lawyer at Joel H. Schwartz, PC for the help you need. You can reach us by phone at 1-800-660-2270 or through the submission form provided below to schedule your complimentary consultation.