YOU'RE APPROVED! WHEN WILL YOU BE PAID?

Once your Social Security disability claim has been approved, how long will it take to be paid? It's probably the second most asked question our firm gets. (The most asked question: What are my chances of being approved?).

If your approval is the result of a hearing with an administrative law judge, the thing that triggers payment is the judge's written decision. Once you have that decision in hand, your claim has been sent to one of the payment processing centers which will process payment. Assuming it's a straight forward SSDI case, it typically takes 30 to 60 days to receive your back pay. 90 days isn't unheard of. Some things that could delay payment include:

* Your address is wrong in the Social Security system. Update now by calling your local Social Security office if this is the case. Social Security will NOT forward checks, even if you have filed a change of address or forwarding notice at the post office.

* You also filed an SSI (Title 16 claim). This takes a bit longer than SSDI claims because of special processing. On SSI claims, the local Social Security office must process the SSI claim and release it back to the payment processing center. SSDI will not be paid until the SSI portion has been processed and released.

* You have had a workers compensation settlement or claim since you filed for disability. This requires certain documentation to determine if there will be an offset in your benefit.

* Social Security now requires direct deposit of most benefits. If you have not signed up with Social Security for direct deposit, call your local office to sign up now.

If you received your Notice of Decision more than 90 days ago and still have not been paid, call your local Social Security office to find out the status of your payment.