BACK PAY

A high percentage of claimants who are approved for Social Security disability (SSDI) also qualify for back pay.  Back pay depends on two important factors:

1. The date disability began, and
2. The date the application was filed.

In SSDI or Title 2 cases, recovery of retroactive pay is limited to a maximum 17 months:  this is 12 months plus the 5 months comprising the waiting period.  

Thus, if you filed your application on June 1, 2015, but you had actually become disabled years ago, you would be able to recover 17 months of retroactive pay.

In addition, you would be able to cover any months AFTER the filing of the application--while you waited on Social Security to make a decision.  For example, if you file an application on June 1, 2015 but the decision on your case is not made until December 30, 2015, you could recover 7 months of back pay between June 1 and December 30--in addition to the retroactive pay.

There is technically a difference between "retroactive pay" and "back pay."

RETROACTIVE PAY - Covers months of disability BEFORE the filing of your application.

BACK PAY - Covers months of disability AFTER the filing of your application but before benefits are paid.

Also, it is possible to have a "protected filing date" that is earlier than the date of your application.  An example would be, you are in the hospital and are unable to file an application but you notify Social Security in writing that you intend to file as soon as you are able.  If you file a timely application after your release from the hospital, you may be able to use the date you notified Social Security of your intention to file as your protected filing date.  This could get more retroactive pay.