SSI applications are not retroactive any further than the month of application. Payment can begin with the first month AFTER you meet all requirements including filing a claim. So if you filed a claim in 8/10, the first month you can possibly be eligible is 9/10.

Unless the DDS is in the middle of a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), the finding of disability can be adopted. So all that is needed is to verify income, resources and living arrangements and that should be done in less than 30 days.

If you gave away money in order to qualify, you can be penalized for 1-36 months of non-payment. Remember that any financial transactions that you have done in 2009 or 2010 may generate an IRS form 1099 and SSI will be notified - often months later. And this will be ongoing for as long as you are on SSI. Anything the IRS can find out about you can be reported to SSI.

It is your job to make sure that SSI knows about all your income and resources and living arrangements for today and every day you are on SSI benefits. If there is a change next month, it has to be reported the following month (not six months later) in order to be reported timely. The $2000 limit applies for every month in the future. It includes money in the bank and money you have at home. First of the month balances matter. Save bank statements because you may have to show them next year.

SSI can be invasive into your personal life. You have to learn to accept that as the price of getting the benefits. But it is also a great help to many people.