Hello posters .. I'm here because there seems to be a lot of experience when it comes to disability matters here. More specifically though .. I was awarded a fully favorable decision at my hearing on May 29th! I got my letter describing exactly how they came to this decision and it says I will get SSDI and SSI benefits along with insurance benefits and all the other goodies. Well of course it's taken a while .. and I'm just wondering what's next. My lawyer was great but now that the hard part is over he doesn't seem to like calling me back anymore .. heh. So I know it's a 60 day waiting period until I get a letter describing exactly what I'm going to get paid .. and 20 of those days are up now .. so what can I expect in terms of when I'll finally start getting my benefits, my back-pay etc?

Also, I have a bigger question as well. I am looking at a LOT of back-pay. My date of onset goes back three years - so I'll get paid (ssdi) going back to THEN. Well, what has me worried though is the fact that I've discovered you can't have over $2000 dollars in assets if you want to keep your SSI. I don't want to just blow thousands of dollars. Furthermore, I don't even know how I could legally even DO that without having more than $2000 in assets accumulated FROM SPENDING the money... LOL. So what's the deal with that? How can I keep my money (I want to save it and buy a house with it down the road) .. and not lose my SSI benefits?

Thanks so much for your help in advance!
Steve H

I just want to clarify something, btw .. I will be having to spend a decent bit of my back-pay on various necessities of life over time. However I'm blessed enough to be in a situation where I won't have to spend a big chunk of that money until I'm ready to. My family wants me to be able to buy myself a home down the road so I can survive on my own without havnig to pay .. monthy rent for one example. If I'm gonna be in a spot where I can buy a dang home why would SSI tell me I cant have that money in savings where I can hopefully do that when I'm ready to? Thats all that's about. I don't want anyone to think I'm just gonna have all this money to spend on random crap. I just live with my elderly grandparents and they want me to have a home of my own when they're gone .. so I'll get to keep a big portion of my back-pay thanks to their generosity.

Hi, I understand your frustration and I really don't know about the back pay part of SSDI and SSI. What frustrats me is that I have worked all my life and had to retire because of RSD..I was also turned down for SSI because I had over $2200.00 in the bank...I can understand that part BUT I actually know someone who is on disability and NEVER WORKED a day in his life who also gets SSI every month. He also has two credit cards that SSDI and SSI pay his bill every month. So he can charge anything he wants and they pay his bill, but I can't save any money. I just don't see the logic in their findings. He also get his medical completely paid, no co-pay, and I have no insurance now and won't for two years. The insurance comes with the SSI from what I understand. If I wanted Cobra insurance from my job, it would have cost me $1200.00/month...the lowest is $600.00 but doesn't cover anything. I'm sorry I vented and I hope everything turns out good for you but I'm sure you would agree with everthing I vented about. Good Luck

So, what's next in the process though? I've been waiting since the 29th of May and they said I'd hear something within 60 days when it comes to a notice of benefits letter. What can I expect once I get that letter? As in how long will it be until I get my frist SSI check? Also how long till I get my first SSI back-pay check? I know nobody can give me a definite answer but I just wonder how long it's taken some of you to get all of this waiting over with after being approved. Heh .. after waiting for two and a half years, I just want the waiting and wondering to be over with!

According to the SSDI website, all income OTHER THAN SSDI is counted. You could always call them and ask, however.

Well, I just did some research on the SSA's site and it seems I have nine months to spend my money and then if I still have it after that period I will not get SSI benefits until I get rid of those resources.

I don't understand this. Seems like they would give you some leeway if you're trying to save back to buy your own home or something. I dunno .. maybe I need to just try to get a place now while the housing market is down. I could probably find something nice for cheap and get out on my own. Hmm ... something to think about. Still I would like to do that on my own terms and not be .. kinda pushed into it. Heh I am bipolar and all .. so I feel like I'm in a situation now. Not exactly a bad one to be in but I kinda feel pressured. Bleh ...

Wish I could offer help but I'm a newbie..congrats, though, on your success and your back pay! Hope it all works out for you.

Kathleen

Just wondering if you received any pay yet. I was found fully favorable on June 24th. Also they are looking into if I qualified for SSI during this period. i sure hope so. We lived on my wife's income for over 3 years. I am also wondering when the payment 's will come.

Hoosier Daddy,

I just received my "Calculation" Letter (July 10th). And of course, I had to forward that to OPM since I have a pension. Oh, and I will receive my first payment on August 19th. But even so, OPM has to make some adjustments due to the WEP. But not as badly affected as I thought I might be. In any case, this pertains to federal employees.

Anyway, I know you all are speaking of SSI. But I wanted to throw this out there. Did you know that UP TO 85% of your backpay (SSDI) is taxable depending on your income? Found that out after talking to my tax preparer. Read IRS Publication 915 for more info. From what I gather most people who receive a LOT of backpay and have an income higher than $32,000 will spread the backpay over previous years tax returns back to your disability date. Ain't life grand? Anyway, as I said, that pertains to SSDI.

Do they take the taxes out before you get the backpay, or do you have to pay it at the end of the year??