Applying for and waiting to have your Social Security Disability (SSD) claim processed can be frustrating because the process seems to move slowly and take more time than you would expect. Most applicants have urgent needs and are under pressure to pay bills for their families. The bills don’t stop just because someone’s become disabled.

Claimants may be denied benefits initially and then need to wait for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The national average wait-time for a hearing is about 18 months. Some people can wait as long as two years.

An Experienced Lawyer Makes a Difference

The pace at which your claim proceeds through the Social Security Disability bureaucracy can be affected by how professionally your case was prepared. The best thing you can do to move your case along swiftly is to hire an experienced Social Security representative like Attorney Scott London at London Eligibility. Scott London has specialized in representing disabled SSD claimants for the past 25 years and he’s built a team of advocates at London Eligibility who devote their professional careers to getting their clients the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve.

London Eligibility thoroughly prepares your case before filing the claim and then follows up with all the work necessary to support the claim. London Eligibility clients know their claim won’t be returned or rejected due to improper filing, or because a medical record was not included. Don’t risk slowing your claim down by trying to proceed alone or with an inexperienced advocate.

Your Claim Was Approved! Now What?

Once you receive notice that your SSD claim is approved, the most important question you’ll have is, “When will my benefits be paid?” Since 65% of SSD claims are denied initially, most people need to have their case heard by a judge who more carefully examines the case after your appeal is filed. That means the judge needs to issue a decision that includes detailed findings on each element of the claim. The judge dictates the decision and sends the recording to be typed up.

How long it takes to get that dictation typed up depends on whether the volume of cases in that office is heavy or light. Once it’s typed up, it needs to go back to the judge for review. If it’s accurately drafted, the judge signs it and sends it on to be processed for payment. If the document contains errors, it will be sent back to be corrected, delaying the process and slowing your first benefit payment.

Expect Payment Around 60 Days Following Approval

Most SSD claimants will receive their first payment about 60 days after they’re approved. The time it takes to get that first payment can vary depending on where your case is being processed.

If you still have not received your first payment 90 days after you received your approval letter, then you should contact the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How Will You Be Paid?

Most people who receive SSD benefits get the money by Direct Deposit into their bank account. This is by far the easiest method for the government and the most convenient for the recipient. Once you sign up for direct deposit, there’s nothing more for you to do. The payments will arrive on the same day each month.

Another payment method is Direct Express debit cards. Your monthly benefit payment is credited to this debit card and you can use it to pay bills or make purchases anywhere debit cards are accepted, or you can withdraw funds from an ATM.

A third payment option is intended for recipients who don’t have a conventional savings or checking account. It’s called an Electronic Transfer Account (ETA). The ETA serves as a bank or credit union account for the recipient to receive the SSD benefit payment. No checks can be written from this account but money can be drawn from an ATM or by in-person banking.

What Day Will the Money Be Deposited?

SSD benefit payments are scheduled for payment based upon the recipient’s date of birth.

(1). Born on day 1 – 10 of your birth month: Payment will be on the 2nd Wednesday every month.
(2). Born on day 11 – 20 of your birth month: Payment will be on the 3rd Wednesday every month.
(3). Born on day 21 – 31 of your birth month: Payment will be on the 4th Wednesday of every month.

Will I Get Backpay?

You will be paid for any months for which you were deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration. Those payments will be in a separate payment from your monthly benefit. Remember, that SSD has a 5-month waiting period, so you will be paid starting from the sixth month of your disability period. Even though you had to wait for the back pay while your claim was pending, the government does not pay interest on the back pay.

Don’t try to navigate the Social Security process on your own. Get the help you need from an organization that you can trust. Give us a call 877-978-3405