When do benefits begin for Social Security disability?

Benefits for Social Security disability begin five months after the onset of the disability, which is referred to as the waiting period. This means that there is a five-month delay before any benefits start being paid out. This waiting period is in place to ensure that the disability is a lasting condition and to prevent short-term disabilities from qualifying for benefits.

The rationale behind this waiting period is to allow the Social Security Administration to assess the severity and permanence of the disability. As such, applicants must provide sufficient medical evidence to support their claims, and benefits are only awarded once this waiting period has been completed.

Other options do not align with the Federal Social Security guidelines. For example, stating that benefits begin at the start of the disability does not account for this crucial waiting period. Similarly, the idea that benefits begin on the 1st of the month after approval does not accurately reflect the structure of the program since approval and the waiting period must both be considered, and benefits starting within 30 days of application also fails to capture the mandatory waiting period that applies.