Mar
05
2011
By Guest (not verified)
I got a letter from my Attorney a few days ago saying she had sent a letter on my behalf to the St. Louis ODAR requesting a fully favorable decision be issued without the necessity for a Hearing. I meet the social security listing requirements for my illness, other tests show i have low marks in other areas as well. I had a MRFC/ GAF/WAIS-IV done. I live in Ohio not St. Louis that's just where my file is , they've been trying to expedite my case for a while now.So the question is if the Judge grants me a favorably decision how long generally before i start receiving back pay/monthly payments?
Waiting period to receive SSI disability payments
Since this is filed under the SSI forum, I assume this is for SSI disability, not for "standard" disability benefits.
I could not find a waiting period specific to SSI disability. However, for "standard" disability, benefits will be paid beginning with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
For example, if the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. However, Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, so you will receive your July benefit in August.
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/151
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/455
How Long to Get Social Security Disability Once Approved?
Getting Social Security disability without a hearing is called an "OTR, or On the Record" decision. It is where a judge reviews your case and finds compelling evidence that you are indeed disabled under Social Security rules and grants you a favorable decision without a hearing, based solely on the medical file. These decisions are somewhat rare, so don't get your hopes up. Judges do not have to make favorable decisions just because you meet the listing in the handbook; but, they often do. Some judges want a hearing to hear testimony, no matter what the listing.
Now, IF the judge grants you a favorable decision, how long do you wait to get benefits? Decisions are not official until they are written. That takes about 6 weeks (to get the award letter). Now, you are officially on file as approved for benefits. You may get your first monthly check in 45 to 60 days from the time you get the award letter. Retroactive benefits (back pay) takes longer, usually about 90 days from the date of the award letter. If there is both disability and SSI involved, it can take a bit longer. SSI backpay offsets the Social Security disability back pay (insuring that you do not get paid more in back pay than you would have got if your original application had been approved). So, if SSI is also involved, it will slow down the backpay somewhat. SSI is usually paid in 3 installments, the last one being paid 12 months after the favorable ruling. But as I said, the disability portion of the back pay should come within about 3 months. If you have not received it within 90 days from the date on your award letter, call the Social Security administration at 1-800-772-1213. If you are working with an attorney, he/she will keep track of payments for you. Remember, Social Security moves in the SLOW time zone, and attorneys can't do much to speed up the process. It just takes as long as it takes. Obviously, if your case as "jumped the track," your attorney should be able to correct it. But trying to speed up Social Security's process is like trying to push a Mack truck up a hill. Good luck with the decision.