How Much Can You Receive For Social Security Disability Payments?
Posted on: 8 August 2017
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The main concern for Social Security Disability applicants is the amount of the financial benefits they will receive. There is no set amount for applicants. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, will make a determination based on several factors. If you are applying for benefits, here is what you need to know about calculating the financial award:
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount that you will receive for your monthly disability payment depends on your lifetime average earnings. The earnings take into account how much you have contributed towards disability insurance throughout your work history. If you are unsure of the amount, you can request a statement from the SSA.
Your payment could potentially be decreased by other payments you receive. For instance, if you receive workers' compensation benefits, your disability payments could be reduced by a certain amount until you have reached the end of your workers' compensation. At that point, your Social Security Disability could potentially be increased.
Talk to your attorney to learn of other payments that you are receiving that could result in a deduction of your disability payments. Your attorney can help determine if there are ways to reduce the impact of those benefits on your disability.
Will You Receive Back Payments?
The process to have your application approved for Social Security Disability benefits can take several months. If your initial application is denied, the process could stretch to over a year. Most applicants are eligible to receive back payments to compensate for some or all of the application review time.
The amount that you are offered depends on the date that the SSA establishes that you are disabled and the date you initially apply for benefits. Once those dates are known, the SSA will determine just how many months of back payments you are entitled to. The amount you are offered for each back payment month depends on what the SSA is rewarding you for monthly payments.
It is important to note that after being approved, benefits are not automatically paid out. There is a short waiting period before you receive your first monthly payment and any back payments you have. You will be notified of the length of the waiting period at the time your application is approved.
Talk to your social security disability attorney to learn further about your Social Security Disability benefits. He or she can help you understand what to expect and what can impact your benefits.