Answers to Top Questions About Social Security Disability Payments

Many individuals have plenty of questions when going through the Social Security Disability application process. They often assume that the questions will be over when their application for disability benefits has been approved. The fact of the matter is that more questions usually present themselves once the application has been processed and the approval letter is in hand, most commonly in regards to Social Security Disability payments. When will disability payments begin? How will Social Security Disability benefits be paid? How much will the payments be? If you have been approved for disability benefits and have questions regarding your Social Security Disability payments, the following information will answer many of the questions you have been asking.

When Will My Social Security Disability Payments Begin?

Payments for Social Security Disability usually begin in the sixth month after your date of determination. This means that you will be eligible for Social Security Disability payments six months after the date you were determined to be disabled. For example, if you became disabled in January, then your Social Security Disability payments would begin in June. The letter you receive from the Social Security Administration notifying you that you have been approved for Social Security Disability benefits will state the date you can expect your Social Security Disability payments to begin.

How Much Will My Social Security Disability Payments Be?

The amount you receive each month from the Social Security Administration will depend on your work history and how much money you earned during your employment. The average Social Security Disability payment under the SSDI program is approximately $1,000 per month. Your Social Security Disability payments may be more or less depending on how much income you earned while you were working.

If you qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), your benefit amount will not exceed $674 for an eligible individual and $1,011 for an eligible couple. Some states will supplement this amount so it is possible you may receive a higher SSI benefit payment if you live in one of the states with a supplemented SSI program. It is also possible that you would receive less than this amount depending on your household income.

How Will My Social Security Disability Payments Be Made?

Social Security Disability payments can be made via check or direct deposit. If you want to receive your payments automatically into your bank account each month, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration with your bank account details so you can set up a direct deposit account for your benefits.

What Date Will I Be Paid Disability Benefits?

The date on which you receive your Social Security Disability payments will depend on when you were approved for Social Security Disability payments and which date of the month your birthday falls on. Individuals who were approved prior to 1997 will receive their benefits on the 3rd of each month. If you were approved for disability after 1997 your payment date will depend on your birth date.

If your birthday falls between the 1st and the 10th of each month you will be paid Social Security Disability benefits on the second Wednesday of each month. If your birthday falls between the 11th and the 20th of each month your Social Security Disability benefits will be paid on the third Wednesday of the month. If your birthday falls between the 21st and the 31st of each month, your Social Security Disability benefits will be paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The exception to the above rule is if you are receiving both SSI and SSDI payments. In that case, your Social Security Disability benefits would be paid on the 3rd of each month.

Will My Dependents Receive Disability Benefits?

In most cases, dependents who are under the age of 18 will receive benefits equal to about 50 percent of your Social Security Disability benefit amount. The benefit will be split equally among all of your eligible dependents. For example, if you received $1,000 per month in payments and had two qualifying dependents, each dependent would receive approximately $250 per month.

What Happens if I Receive a Disability Overpayment?

If you receive an overpayment from the Social Security Administration it is in your best interest to repay the amount immediately. When the Social Security Administration recognizes the disability benefit overpayment (and chances are they will), they will demand the amount be repaid to them. It is better to contact the Social Security Administration immediately, notifying them of the overpayment, and paying it back right away.

If you have other questions pertaining to your Social Security Disability payments you can contact the Social Security Administration. The good news is that once you have been approved for Social Security Disability benefits, the hard part is over. Getting answers to questions about the benefits you will be receiving should be rather easy and straightforward.