How long does it take to receive Social Security Disability benefits after approval?

While most people hope that their social security disability benefits begin immediately, this is simply not the case.

Just like any legal contract or insurance policy, it does take time. There are many things for the social security offices to look at and go over.

It starts with the approval process which can take anywhere from three to six months. If the case is more complex, it can take longer. It can also take longer, up to years in some scenarios, if the claim is denied and you decide to appeal the decision.

Once the approval process is complete, it then moves to the period of time when you are able to actually begin gaining the benefits from your SSDI.

In the beginning, there is a mandatory five-month waiting period. This waiting period is based on when your disability started.

For example:

If your disability starts in May, and you apply for SSDI in June, the benefits would begin November.

There is a specific exception to this five-month waiting period, and that is if you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. If you found you have ALS in Nov. 2023, and you apply for SSDI in Jan. 2024. Then your benefits would begin in December 2023 as that is the first full month of having the disability.

Social Security does have their payments be made the month following the month that they are due in. So if you have benefits in May, you would be paid for May in June.

As we have talked about before, each person is a case by case scenario. Meaning no case and SSDI benefits will be the exact same or have the same timeframe. This process does not happen overnight and it requires patience and a willingness to work with the social security offices throughout the process.