I’ve Been Approved. When Will I Start Receiving My Disability Benefits?

April 26, 2017

First, congratulations! Whether you were approved at your initial application or had to wait months or even years to be approved at your hearing in front of an administrative law judge, we’re excited for you that you’ve been approved for Social Security disability benefits. The long wait is finally over, and your benefits are coming soon.

When will you receive your benefits? Well, that depends on a few factors.

Social Security Benefit Payment Schedule

SSDI

If you’re receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), then when you receive your monthly payment depends on your birthday.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays SSDI recipients on Wednesdays each month. Your payment date is based on your birthday, which will fall into one of three categories:

• If you were born on the 1^st-10^th, you’ll receive your payment on the second Wednesday of every month.
• If you were born on the 11^th-20^th, you’ll receive your payment on the third Wednesday of every month.
• If you were born on the 21^st-31^st, you’ll receive your payment on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

If the Wednesday you are scheduled to receive your payment falls on a federal holiday, then you will receive your payment the day before.

SSI

If you’re receiving supplemental security income (SSI), then you will be paid on the first of the month.

If the first of the month falls on the weekend, you will receive your payment the Friday before the first.

If the first of the month is a holiday, then you will receive your payment the day before, unless the holiday falls on a Monday, in which case you will receive your payment the Friday before.

SSDI and SSI

If you are receiving both SSDI and SSI, you will receive your payment on the third of the month.

If the third of the month falls on the weekend, you will receive your payment the Friday before the third.

This payment schedule also applies to those who are receiving benefits prior to May 1997.

How Will I Receive Payment?

On March 1, 2013, Social Security ceased sending paper checks to recipients through the mail, according to The Balance. Now, if you are receiving Social Security disability, you must receive your payments electronically in one of two ways:

• Direct deposit: Via direct deposit, Social Security deposits your checks directly into your bank account on the day they are paid.
• Direct Express® Debit Card: Via this debit card, Social Security loads your card with your payment. You can use this card like a regular debit card anywhere that Debit Mastercard® is accepted. If you’re more comfortable with cash, you can use it to get cash back at grocery stories or to purchase money orders at the post office.

Your payments will come a month behind. That means that if your benefits begin in July, you will not receive the payments you are owed for July until August. This makes it easier for the SSA to avoid overpaying you if you stop qualifying for the type of disability benefits you’ve been approved for.

Help from an Indiana Social Security Disability Attorney

If you’ve been approved for disability, congratulations! Your payments should start coming soon. But if you haven’t yet been approved for disability, an Indiana Social Security disability attorney can help guide you through the process. Whether you’re considering applying for the first time or you’ve just received a denial letter, an Indiana Social Security disability attorney can help you navigate the denials, appeals, and hearings up ahead.

Call Hensley Legal Group today to speak to our qualified Indiana disability attorneys for a free case review, or contact us online.