When approved,a phone call? Letter?
 

If and when approved for SSDI, who passes on that news? Would my case worker tell me? Via phone? Do you recieve a letter? How does this work?

Also, from the time your notified that you were approved, how long until the first check arrives?

Thank you

I think most have to wait for the "official" letter in most cases.

My partner received a letter in the mail of the official ruling by the administrative law judge. However, a friend got a phone call from a case worker and her SSDI Lawyer the same day, about a week before the letter came. So, I think it depends on what stage you're at in the application and appeals process, and whether you are represented by someone else.

The amount of time for the first check to arrive also depends on whether you are going to be receiving back pay or just the monthly payments. In my partner's case, she got her letter, then about a week later, got a check for the first part of the back pay, then at the first of the following month, received her first monthly check.

Good luck!

I have found a lot of people get a check first, like 72day and Jo*mar said you could get a letter or a phone call. It just depends on how it works in your state or town. I have seen a lot of people get a check around 4 to 6 weeks.

I got a massive back pay check (with no explanation what it was) a few weeks after my ALJ hearing, then a call from my lawyer, then I got the letter

Thank you! But if we win this case, does my husband get back paid/retro to the day he applied for disability? Why would some get back paid while others dont?

Thanks!

He should get it from the day he applied. I put a link that tells you under what conditions you may or may not receive benefits.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html#part8

Actually by reading the link, it says--

When do my benefits start?
If your application is approved, your first Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began.

Here is an example: If the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, so you will receive your July benefit in August.


Thats interesting, I too figured and thought it would retro back to day 1 of the application.

Social Security disability claims can be paid up to one year BEFORE filing IF the date of onset of disability is 5 months before that. Filing date and onset date combine to determine date of entitlement.