Hi all - hope this post finds all of you hanging in there! I have a question for those of you who may have experience with this in the past.

I was a lucky individual that was FINALLY approved for full SSDI on February 3rd 2010 after a 3 year battle. On March first I found, to my surprise, a lump sum payment in my bank account. While this is absolutely awesome, I have not yet received my award letter letting me know my monthly benefit, my childrens, benefits, etc. What I am curious about is this - I have seen many of you comment about getting your children's back pay...did that come as a separate payment/check? And if any of you were lucky enough to get a payment prior to getting an award, did your monthly benefit check start coming that month?

I hate looking a gift horse in the mouth, but it is a little frustrating not knowing what that money was for...was it mine, was it my kid,s was it everything? Anyway - any insight you can offer would be great! Thank all and take care.