I was approved 9/20/2010. I had my first monthly payment end of October. I did not realize they put me in for SSI, which I was not eligible for, so I withdrew that in December. I had to go to my congressman to get help for my backpay. I did not need a lawyer for my initial application so did not have one to help. They only owed me three months backpay because I was approved quickly. So, it took about 7 months to get backpay for me. Who knows how long if my congressman had not helped. I have a friend in another state who works in the determination office, and she looked at my file and saw no reason it was being held up. That is why I decided to ask the congressman's help. SS just kept telling me they would send an inquiry and to call back in 45 days.