After months or even years of paperwork and waiting, receiving a Social Security Disability approval is a huge relief. If you’re looking forward to receiving SSDI benefits in New York but you’re wondering what comes next, you’re not alone. In this guide, the Social Security Disability lawyers at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, walk you through what to do after your SSDI approval and when you can expect your first payment.
Review Your SSDI Approval Letter
Your SSDI approval letter provides information about your Social Security Disability benefits. It’s important to read it thoroughly and keep it in a safe place. This approval letter usually includes information about:
- Your monthly benefit amount
- The date your payments will start
- Any back pay or retroactive benefits
- When you’ll be eligible for Medicare, which is typically 24 months after you start receiving SSDI benefits
It’s also a good idea to give your SSDI lawyer a copy of the award letter so they can review it and ensure you’re getting full amount of benefits you’re entitled to receive.
Make Sure Your Contact Information is Correct
You don’t want to miss any important notices or updates, so it’s critical to ensure that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has your current mailing address, phone number, and email address. If your contact information is outdated, you could miss notices about Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), payment or benefit statements, tax documents, and Medicare enrollment paperwork. You can update your information and contact preferences online, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. Don’t skip this step and assume the SSA has the correct information. Ensuring it’s current can help you avoid problems and delays.
Confirm or Set Up Direct Deposit
The safest and fastest way to receive your monthly SSDI benefits is through direct deposit. If you didn’t already provide your bank account information on your SSDI application, log into your Social Security account, call the SSA, or visit your local office. Make sure to have your bank’s routing number and your account number handy. If you already shared your direct deposit information with the SSA it can’t hurt to confirm that it is correct to avoid any payment issues.
Understanding SSDI Payment Timelines
Now that you’ve received your SSDI approval, you may wonder when you’ll get paid. Monthly Social Security Disability benefits usually start five months after your established onset date, which is the day the SSA determined that your disability began.
SSDI benefits are paid based on your birth date:
- If your birthday falls between the 1st –10th of the month, your SSDI benefits are paid on the second Wednesday of the month
- Those born on the 11th –20th are paid the third Wednesday of the month
- If you’re born on the 21st to the 31st, you’ll receive payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month
When your benefits start, you can see your payment history and upcoming deposits online. Knowing when you’ll receive your Social Security Disability payments can be a big help when it comes to budgeting, paying bills, and managing your money.
SSDI Back Pay and Retroactive Benefits
If you received an SSDI denial and had to go through multiple appeals or approval was delayed for another reason, your payments may include back pay and/or retroactive benefits. SSDI Back pay and retroactive benefits are typically paid in a lump sum. This payment may arrive within 60 days of your award letter, although it may come sooner or later, depending on the specifics of your case and location. If you’re owed back pay or retroactive benefits and haven’t received them, your Social Security Disability lawyer can investigate and ensure you get all the benefits you’re entitled to receive.
Understand Your Responsibilities as an SSDI Recipient
When receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you must report certain life changes to the SSA, which can affect your SSDI eligibility or payment amounts. It’s vital to let the SSA know if you:
- Return to work or earn income
- Move to a new address
- Get married or divorced
- Receive other benefits like workers’ compensation or non-Social Security retirement benefits
- Are incarcerated or institutionalized
Failing to report changes can result in serious consequences. Although it’s possible to work while on SSDI, if you exceed the monthly maximum income threshold, you could lose your benefits. If the SSA determines you were overpaid, you may have to repay those funds, which can be stressful and financially taxing.
Be Aware of Continuing Disability Reviews
It’s important to keep in mind that the SSA conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) to ensure you’re still eligible for SSDI benefits. These reviews usually happen every three years if your medical condition is expected to improve, and every five to seven years if it is unlikely to improve. This review involves evaluating both your financial situation and medical status to see if your condition still meets the SSA’s definition of a disability and other requirements.
Talk to an SSDI Attorney When Issues Arise
Although your chances of winning disability with a lawyer greatly increase with your initial application or appeal, the need for legal counsel doesn’t always end there. You also need an experienced SSDI attorney if you run into issues that could affect your SSDI after you start receiving benefits. If your benefits are going to be terminated after a CDR, you’re getting married or divorced, or the SSA alleges overpayment or fraud, it’s vital to consult our Social Security Disability lawyers to protect your rights.
Our local SSDI attorneys are familiar with all aspects of SSDI. We have longstanding relationships with nearby SSA field offices, Administrative Law Judges, and local medical providers, which helps us resolve issues in an efficient manner when they arise. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped injured workers in the greater New York City area get the benefits they need. Partner Rolando Cubela offers our Spanish-speaking clients legal representation they can trust.
Contact Our Social Security Disability Attorneys to Learn More
Whether you’ve already received an SSDI approval or you’re just starting the application process, our Social Security Disability attorneys at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, can help. To schedule a free consultation with an SSDI lawyer in the greater New York City area, call 718-273-9000 or contact us today.
