The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees government assistance programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). When a Washington state resident applies for SSDI, the process can take several months to complete. This often means that you are left without the financial assistance you need for a few months (or more, if you are appealing an SSDI denial). This is why the SSA offers SSDI backpay. Once the SSA approves your SSDI application, you may be entitled to receive payment for the months during which you waited for the application to be processed. Let’s take a closer look at the average SSDI backpay timeline in Washington state and how enlisting the guidance and support of a caring and experienced Spokane SSDI lawyer can maximize your chances of securing the benefits you need.
What is a Disability Onset Date (DOD)?
According to the SSA, a disability onset date “is the first day the claimant meets the definition of eligibility or statutory blindness as defined in the Social Security Act and regulations.” In other words, the disability onset date is the date on which the SSA believes your disability began. It’s worth noting that there could be a discrepancy between the alleged onset date (the day you cite as the beginning of your disability) and the established onset date (EOD)—the date that the SSA cites as the beginning of your disability.
Why the Onset Date Matters for SSDI Backpay in Washington State
When the SSA reviews your SSDI application and assesses whether you are eligible for backpay, it will look to determine the established onset date (EOD). In most cases, the EOD marks the beginning of your disability as the date on which you were no longer ableto go to work. If the SSA finds that the EDO occurred before you applied for SSDI benefits, you may be able to recover a maximum of twelve months of retroactive benefits. Since there is a five-month waiting period between the EOD and the payment of benefits, your disability must have occurred at least 17 months before your application was filed to receive the maximum amount of backpay (i.e., twelve months of retroactive pay plus the mandatory five months of waiting time).
How an Experienced Spokane SSDI Attorney Can Help
The SSDI application process is often confusing, as denied claims are common and applicants may not fully understand their options for appealing these denials. If you have questions like, “How far back does SSDI pay?” or “who is the best SSDI attorney near me?” then getting in touch with Spokane’s go-to SSDI and SSI law firm, Schott Law, is highly recommended. We can help you successfully navigate a number of issues, like aligning your alleged onset date with your medical records, contesting an onset date if you believe it was changed incorrectly, or maximizing your backpay though proper documentation.
If you have questions about applying for and obtaining Social Security Disability compensation in Washington, the dedicated and experienced legal team at Schott Law is here to help. We invite you to contact our Spokane, Washington office today at (509) 328-5789 to get started with a friendly and trusted SSDI attorney.
