Question

[SandraCT]

I just filed for disability. I have not been working since 2007 because of my illness. I was wondering how far back do they go as far as if you being awarded a one time lump sum of money for the years you could not work. I have heard only year but was not sure if this is true. Also do they contact your former employers to ask questions or just your doctors?

[Mare]

I filed my claim and had a 2 year wait before I went to a hearing. I believe that they take your last date of work and start a waiting period from that date to establish your beginning date of eleigibility. I can't remember if the waiting period is 3 or 6 months. But they will pay you back to the date that you became eligible for benefits. Hope that this info is correct. Good luck with your application. They never contacted any of my former employers. warm regards, mare

[Linda May]

i too recently applied for ssd with a lawyer it will take 2 to 3 years. they do go back all the way from the last day you were working. so you will get a lump sum and also get monthly checks. the reason why i know is because my husband that is how it worked for him.

[sailawaygrl]

When you speak to someone about your original filing. They called me about it, they will determine when your eligibility begins. It doesn't start until you have been out of work for 5 months. I am not sure if they will go back to 2007 or not. The SSA has a very comprehensive website, I suggest you go there and research to find out how far they go back from when you applied. I applied right after I had to stop working so I don't' know about that part.
Linda, it might not take as long as 2 to 3 years, my state is notoriously backlogged and mine went through in a little less than 1 and 1/2 years. Hopefully yours will move along fine.

[bob04951]

Bob's lump sum payment was dated back 2 years. And he had not had paychecks 2 years before that (we had our own business and never paid ourselves at that point). But they will go back 2 years, unless things have changed. Good thing you filed, after 5 years (I believe) without a paycheck you lose that money. Good luck to you, and be patient, it will take a long time, and don't get stressed about it. Just stay on top of your attorney like maybe once a month contact. He/she wants the money just as much as you.

[floridamom]

I was approved for SSD just recently & they will go back father than 1 year. They go back to the time you became fully disabled. Mine went back to sometime in 2009, so I was paid back pay for that, I know of others who get 4 years of backpay.
SS is very picky, so they might contact former employers, but their main areas are talking to the docs, getting your med. records, etc. GOOD LUCK

[Kirs10]

Mine

When I applied for Disability I was told that it would go back to the date I applied for disability. It takes an average of 2 years to get disability. So when I finally had my hearing and I finally got my approval it went back to the day I applied. Not the last day I worked.
Hope that this is helpful...you could look in the phonebook and look at the attorneys most will give you a free consultation, they may be able to answer some questions you have without having to pay.
Kirs

[SandraCT]

Thank you

Thank you for all your replies. It helps to talk to others who have been through this process. Mine is still in the very beginning stage as I just got a case worker assigned to me. Again thank you and hope you are all doing well.

[sailawaygrl]

Be sure to promptly fill out any forms they send you and return them. Always make copies of anything you send them as well. I didn't use a lawyer until after my first denial, since it is pretty much a sure thing you will be denied on your first attempt. I was going to wait until after my appeal on that one to get an attorney but I got scared and went ahead and hired one. With something that important I was afraid to make a mistake and regret it forever! Anyway, I was denied the appeal and we filed for a hearing. While waiting for my hearing date I got a letter that said my case had been reviewed by a judge and I had been awarded SSDI! So I think mine took a total of 1 1/2 years from the original filing date. Which is amazing for my state, we are very backlogged here. I have read that they are sending people to states that are heavily backlogged. I have read some stories where some have their's go through in much less time. I tried to be hopeful but not overly so. LOL

I hope things go well for you.

Sandra