If benefits are approved, it may take up to 3 months to get your first payment.
You may get a lump sum of backpay, because in most cases, your first payment will include backpay from the date of your application.
For SSI recipients: You have 9 months before your backpay counts as a resource. You need to spend your backpay or put it into an ABLE account or Special Needs Trust within 9 months of receiving it.
For SSDI beneficiaries: There is a 5 month waiting period between the onset of the disability and when you eligible for benefits. If you are receiving backpay, you will not receive backpay for the 5 months immediately following your onset of disability.
<aside> <img src="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" alt="/icons/info-alternate_gray.svg" width="40px" />
Tip: If you are an SSI recipient with a disability that started before you turned 26, you’re eligible for an ABLE account! An ABLE account lets you save up to $19,000/year without impacting your SSI or Medicaid eligibility.
</aside>