When and How Will I Receive my Disability Check?

Published on: June 16, 2015

Disability Benefits CheckAfter the arduous process of becoming approved for benefits,  the expectation for receipt of your benefits should be swift and instant. That is the expectation, but the outcome is, most of the time, vastly different: as you know, you are encouraged to apply for disability benefits only after you’ve been deemed to be disabled , and then it can take months upon completion of your application until you receive notice of your benefits (if you’re even approved at all the first time).

Also, you should receive your back pay as well if you had to wait a certain amount of time before the checks were sent to you.

We understand this can be a frustrating process, especially since you’re unable to work most of the time while you’re disabled. Once you receive your notice outlining the amount of your benefits, you probably have questions as to how you’ll be receiving them.

The answer lies in what kind of benefits you have, whether it’s SSDI, SSI or both.

The Age of Electronic Payments

As dictated by the SSA, if you applied for SSDI or SSI disability on or after May 1, 2011, you are required to receive your payments electronically. This can be done via direct deposit, a Direct Express® card program or an Electronic Transfer Account. There is no “right” or “wrong” option here, so make sure you consult with a disability advocate to see which option may be best for you depending on your situation.

SSDI

Were you accepted to start receiving benefits after 1997? If so, then the exact date you receive your disability check is dependent upon your birthday. If not, your check will be sent on the 3rd of the month, every month, regardless of your birthday.

Your birthday in conjunction with your check disbursement is divided up as follows:

  • If your birthday falls on the 1st-10th, your benefits will be paid on the second Wednesday of the month

  • If your birthday falls on the 11th-20th, your benefits will be paid on the third Wednesday of the month

  • If your birthday falls on the 21st-31st, your benefits will be paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month

Most of the time, the major exception to this is when there is a banking holiday that can impact the date. This is usually only in play for those who have received benefits before 1997, and you can change the date to the same credentials for your birthday, based on the aforementioned list if that is a problem.

SSI

Simply put, SSI payments are paid out on the 1st day of the month, every month. If there is a holiday the day before, or it falls on a weekend, your benefits will be sent the previous banking day. Those who receive checks in the mail for your benefits should call the SSA if you don’t receive your benefits by the 4th (though you should be signed up for electronic payments by now, since the requirement date was March 1, 2013).

If you receive both SSDI and SSI:  SSI is paid on the first of the month and SSDI is paid on the third of the month. This can possibly be changed to your birthday credentials, as mentioned above, but you must contact the SSA in order to do so.

We have a link to the SSA’s publication calendar regarding these payments here so you can get a visual list of what was mentioned in this article.

Key Takeaway

If you still have questions regarding the disbursement of your disability payments, we are here to help. We realize dealing with the SSA can be time-consuming, lengthy and not punctual in regards to requests and answers: that’s what we’re here for.

If you haven’t received your payments within 90 days of being accepted, or if you’ve been denied the benefits you deserve, please contact us. Our trained disability experts are educated in all things regarding disability benefits, and are available to help you through this difficult process!

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