Social Security Disability Advice Group

I have won my disability case which I am very grateful for, but, I am wondering, does anyone know how long it takes for you to get your back pay. I don't have that much coming after the attorney gets paid but I still need that money to pay back loans from my Aunt that kept my 3 year old son and I from being homeless. Does anyone know how long it takes. I've looked it up online and there is no real answer. Some people it seems have been waiting years. Also, I was told my son (who is 3) can draw 400.00 a month from SS. When does that come in? I have only recieved letters from SS saying I will be getting payments of 898.00 I'm confused. I've tried to call the SS office but the lady that interviewed me on the phone for SSI (which I recieved a letter saying I don't qualify, which is ridiculous because we have no money or savings and don't own anything but an old car)was SO RUDE to me every time we've talked. I really don't want to call and speak to her again. Why do the people at the SS office treat you like garbage. I swear that women acted like it was HER MONEY. I actually called the SS office after speaking with her and left a message TWICE and left a message to speak to her supervisor but never got a call back. I wasn't suprised. I'm so sick of being treated with such distain and no respect.

Unfortunately there is no "standard" timeframe that it takes to receive your backpay and/or your first monthly check. It could be as soon as a couple weeks or it could drag on for months. I do think it's unlikely that you'll wait years though -- there's absolutely no excuse for it taking that long once you've been approved.

I can tell you that in my case I received my backpay first, about three weeks after being notified of my approval, and then my regular monthly payments started the following month. I am on SSDI, but it sounds like you were approved for SSI, so there may be slight differences. The first step after being medically approved for SSI is usually a telephone call or office visit with social security to verify that you still meet the financial requirements for SSI. That has to happen before you can receive any money. Also, depending on how much your backpay is, they may stagger your payments -- this is so you don't end up with more than $2,000 in cash, which would make you ineligible to receive SSI.

As far as calling Social Security, I would recommend calling the main number. The woman who interviewed you over the phone probably has no involvement in your case anymore now that you have been medically approved. I would start by calling the main number and see if they can provide you with the information you need.

The sad truth is that you will encounter rude people when dealing with SSA. They are overworked and frankly some of the frontline people who answer calls made to their main number are not as informed as they should be. During my case I routinely got a different answer to the same question. If you aren't satisfied with the help you receive, I would just try calling again, because there are people working there that are courteous and helpful.

I hope you receive your backpay in a timely manner -- I completely understand how scary it is waiting when you have no money coming in.

Monica,it took me about 2 months to receive my backpay. Also your son can receive benefits,I am receiving benefits for my 2 minor children. But you must call SSD and tell them you want to apply for your son. It is a completely seprate application for him. He will receive a seprate check then your check. Also I was under the impression that I would receive half of my benefit amount for each of my children but that is not the case. I myself receive 790.00$ a month,and I receive 79.00$ a month for each of my kids. There is a family cap that you cannot go over. Im not sure what your cap is,maybe you will receive 400.00$ a month for your son,but be prepared to receive less. Call the main SSD number and tell them you have a minor child you want to apply for. They may require a birth certifacte for him. Hope this helps.

This is interesting, i had no idea that there could be payments for minor children. Thanks for the heads up.

Well I don't know if they changed the amount this year for dependents, but my daughter gets $300 a month for 2 children. That at one time was the cap (two children).

I was told that there is a cap,that is different for each person,depending on your benefits,what you have earned over the years. I am receiving my cap,for myself and my two daughters. You absolutely can receive benefits for you minor children. Although you need to ask SSD for there benefits,they are not going to pay you otherwise. I was under the assumption that they would just automatically give me my kids benefits,but you must apply for them. The checks come in your childrens name and the your name,and at the end of the year you must fill out a form,explaining how you spent your childrens benefits.