Long-term disability (LTD) benefits are designed to provide financial support for those who are unable to work due to a disabling condition. If you are eligible for LTD benefits, you may also be entitled to receive past-due benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Augusta Long-Term Disability Attorney Stephen H. Hagler explains more.
Why Would the SSA Owe Me Past-due Benefits?
If you have been awarded LTD benefits and are waiting for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may be entitled to receive past-due benefits from the SSA. Past-due benefits are retroactive payments that cover the time period between when you became disabled and when you were awarded SSDI benefits.
To be eligible for past-due benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a qualifying disability: The SSA has a strict definition of disability, and you must meet this definition to qualify for SSDI benefits. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
- You must have a prior period of disability: You must have a period of time when you were disabled and unable to work before you were awarded SSDI benefits.
- You must have a waiting period: There is a five-month waiting period before you can start receiving SSDI benefits. If you are awarded SSDI benefits, you will be entitled to receive past-due benefits for the five months that you were waiting for your benefits to begin.
- You must have a date of onset: The SSA will determine the date when your disability began. This date is called the date of onset, and it is the starting point for calculating past-due benefits.
If you meet these criteria, you may be entitled to receive past-due benefits from the SSA. The amount of past-due benefits you can receive will depend on your work history and how long you have been disabled.
To apply for past-due benefits, you will need to complete an application and provide documentation of your disability and work history. The SSA will review your application and determine if you are eligible for past-due benefits.
If you are awarded past-due benefits, you will receive a lump sum payment for the time period between when you became disabled and when you were awarded SSDI benefits. This payment can be a significant amount of money and can help you cover the costs of medical bills and other expenses.
Get Help from an Augusta Long-Term Disability Attorney
If you are eligible for LTD benefits and are waiting for SSDI benefits, you may be entitled to receive past-due benefits from the SSA. To determine if you are eligible for past-due benefits, you should consult with experienced SSDI attorney Stephen H. Hagler, who can help you navigate the complex application process and ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. Contact us today for a free consultation. You owe us nothing until we get results.
Posted on behalf of Stephen H. Hagler, LLC