We are often asked about how much a person can collect in a disability benefit and how much they can get in retroactive or past benefits. The answers to these questions are dependent on how much you have worked and paid in FICA taxes over your lifetime and in the past 10 years.
How does Social Security determine my monthly amount and my back pay.
Your Social Security Disability amount is based on your work and earnings history. The monthly amount is based on past earnings. To get Social Security Disability, you must have worked ten years lifetime and five of those years must be in the ten years prior to becoming disabled. If you have not worked enough and are low income, you may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income.
You can receive up to 12 months retroactive benefits on Social Security Disability from the date you apply for benefits. Supplemental Security Income starts only on the date of the application. You can create an account on www.ssa.gov to determine your amounts and entitlement.
If you are struggling with your Social Security Disability claim, you are welcome to contact us for a free consultation.
