What Are Retroactive Disability Payments?

Retroactive payments are different from back pay. They refer to benefits owed for the period before you applied for SSDI, while back pay typically covers the time after your application until you’re approved.

You may be eligible for retroactive payments if:

• You were disabled before the date you applied, and
• You can provide medical evidence proving your disability began earlier than your application date.

How Far Back Can Retroactive SSDI Payments Go?

SSDI retroactive payments can go back up to 12 months prior to your application date, depending on:

• Your established onset date (EOD) of disability
• The mandatory 5-month waiting period after your EOD

For example:
If your disability began 17 months before your application date, you could receive 12 months of retroactive pay (17 months – 5-month waiting period = 12 eligible months).

What Determines the Onset Date of Disability?

Your onset date is crucial for calculating retroactive benefits. This date is:

• Alleged Onset Date (AOD): The date you claim your disability began.
• Established Onset Date (EOD): The date the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines your disability started based on medical records.

To receive maximum retroactive benefits, you must provide clear, documented proof of your condition starting before you applied.

How Are Retroactive Benefits Paid in Wisconsin?

If you qualify, your retroactive SSDI benefits will be:

• Paid as a lump sum, separate from your monthly benefits
• Direct-deposited or mailed as a check
• Typically taxable if your total income exceeds certain limits

Keep in mind that retroactive payments can affect other programs such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), so it’s wise to speak with a professional.

What About SSI?

If you are applying for SSI instead of SSDI, the rules are different. SSI does not offer retroactive payments. You can only receive payments dating back to the first full month after your application date.