How to Track My Disability Back Pay

After your disability claim is approved, you're probably eager to receive your back pay. Here's how to track it and what to expect.

In this article, we'll cover:

1. When back pay is typically paid
2. How to check your back pay status
3. SSI vs SSDI back pay timing
4. What can delay your payment
5. What to do when it arrives

1. When Back Pay Is Typically Paid

After approval, back pay usually arrives within:

• SSDI: 60 days of approval (often sooner)
• SSI: May be paid in installments over 6-12 months

Factors affecting timing:

• How your claim was approved (initial vs appeal)
• Whether you had an attorney
• SSA's current processing workload
• How payment is being sent

2. How to Check Your Back Pay Status

Online:

1. Go to ssa.gov/myaccount
2. Sign in to my Social Security
3. Check "Benefit Verification Letter" for approval status
4. Look for payment history once processed

By phone:

• Call 1-800-772-1213
• TTY: 1-800-325-0778
• Ask specifically about back pay status
• Best times: Early morning or late afternoon

Through your attorney:

• If you had legal representation
• They can check status with SSA
• Often have direct lines to SSA

Check your bank:

• Large deposits may show as pending
• Purple shows incoming deposits
• Watch for direct deposit arrival

3. SSI vs SSDI Back Pay Timing

SSDI back pay:

• Usually paid as one lump sum
• Arrives within 60 days of approval
• No installment requirements
• Attorney fees deducted first (if applicable)

SSI back pay:

• Large amounts paid in installments
• If over 3x monthly benefit: 3 installments
• 6 months between each installment
• Keeps you from exceeding resource limits

SSI installment schedule:

• First payment: Up to 3x monthly benefit
• Second payment: 6 months later, same amount
• Third payment: 6 months later, remaining balance

4. What Can Delay Your Payment

Common delays:

• Missing bank information
• Attorney fee calculation
• Workers' compensation offset calculation
• Pending reviews or appeals
• SSA processing backlog

If payment seems delayed:

• Verify your direct deposit info is correct
• Check for any SSA letters requesting information
• Call SSA to confirm payment status
• Ask if anything is holding up processing

Important: If it's been more than 60 days since SSDI approval with no payment, contact SSA directly.

5. What to Do When It Arrives

For SSDI recipients:

• No resource limits—use as needed
• Consider paying off debt
• Build emergency savings
• Cover medical expenses

For SSI recipients:

• Watch your resource limit ($2,000)
• Spend down or move to ABLE before the 1st
• Use for allowed dedicated account expenses (if child)
• Don't let cash accumulate

Smart uses for back pay:

• Pay overdue bills
• Medical equipment or treatment
• Vehicle repair or purchase
• Housing deposits or repairs
• ABLE account contribution
• Debt reduction

Keep records:

• Document what you receive
• Track how you spend it
• Save receipts for large purchases
• Be ready for SSA questions

How Purple Helps

• See when deposits arrive
• Track your balance for SSI limits
• ABLE integration for safe storage
• Clear transaction history