My wife had her claim for disability approved recently. This process was all new and unclear to both of us as to what to expect and how to proceed. Only upon receipt of her initial payment and accompanying letter did we become aware that SSDI would pay her retro-payments a maximum of 12 months from the date of her SSDI application. the application date is 16 months later than her disability date. We had thought that she would be paid back to her date of disability.
my question: is there any chance at all that we can somehow appeal to SSA and get retro-pay for the months back to her disability date( or even a portion thereof )? or is attempting anything of the sort simply a total waste of time?

TIA for any advice.