Social Security SSDI onset date affecting back payments for Compassionate Allowance claim

First, I'm very sorry about your diagnosis. The good news is that with a Compassionate Allowance condition, things do move much faster than typical SSDI claims. To answer your questions: 1. Yes, it's very likely they'll use 09/15/2023 as your onset date if that's what your local office recommended. For Compassionate Allowance claims, they usually accept the alleged onset date if it's supported by your medical records. 2. The 5-month waiting period still applies even for Compassionate Allowance claims. So if your onset date is 09/15/2023, you'd be eligible to start receiving benefits for February 2024 (paid in March 2024). 3. Yes, you will receive back payments calculated from the end of your 5-month waiting period until when your benefits start. The amount will be based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is calculated using your earnings history. 4. SSDI back payments typically come as a single lump sum payment. 5. For SSDI, back payments can only go back to the end of your 5-month waiting period from your established onset date. They cannot go earlier than your application date minus 12 months (but that likely won't apply in your case since your onset is recent). I hope that helps ease your mind. The handwritten note is actually a good sign - it shows they're treating your case with extra care.

This EXACT thing happened with my brother!! He got approved for SSDI for terminal cancer in 2022. They set his onset date as the day he was first hospitalized which was different from when he ACTUALLY got too sick to work (like 3 months earlier). We tried calling and calling SSA to explain this but NEVER got through to anyone!!! It's so frustrating!!!! Did anyone actually SIGN that note they left you?? My brother lost out on like $4000 because of this mistake!!!

I worked as a disability examiner for 8 years, so I can shed some light on your questions. With Compassionate Allowance cases (like stage 4 cancer), yes, they almost always accept the alleged onset date if there's medical evidence to support it - which hospitalization records would provide. So 09/15/2023 is very likely to be your final onset date. For the 5-month waiting period: This is unfortunately required by law, even for terminal conditions. So with your onset date, your benefits would start with February 2024 (paid in March). Regarding back payments: You'll receive a lump sum covering February 2024 through whatever month they start your regular payments. The amount is based on your Primary Insurance Amount, which is calculated from your earnings history. The monthly amount is what your ongoing payments will be. And yes, any back payments for SSDI are typically paid as a single lump sum payment, usually by direct deposit if you have that set up. I hope this helps. Wishing you all the best with your treatment.

To answer the question about the waiting period - unfortunately, yes, SSDI beneficiaries receive NO benefits for the 5-month waiting period. Those months are simply not paid, even for terminal illnesses. This is one of the most criticized aspects of the SSDI program, but it's written into the law and would require congressional action to change. The reasoning behind the waiting period is to ensure disabilities are long-term, but many advocates argue that Compassionate Allowance conditions should be exempt since they're already recognized as severe, permanent disabilities.

I wanted to add something important - check if you might qualify for SSI during that 5-month waiting period. If your resources are below $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple) and your income is low enough, you might be able to get SSI payments during those 5 months. It's not automatic though - you'd need to apply specifically for SSI too if you haven't already. And when your SSDI starts, if the monthly amount is low, you might qualify for both SSDI and SSI simultaneously. Something to look into depending on your financial situation. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.

It's not too late to apply for SSI! You can apply even though your SSDI is already approved. Just contact SSA and let them know you want to file for SSI as well. It's a separate determination process, but they can look at both benefits. And to answer your earlier question - yes, with an onset date of 09/15/2023, your benefits would begin February 2024 (after the 5-month waiting period), and that payment would come in March 2024. SSDI payments are always paid the month after they're due. If there's any delay in processing, you'd get all months from February 2024 forward in back pay.

my mom got ssdi for cancer last year and her backpay came in two separate deposits about a week apart it was weird. nobody explained why. just sharing so u know it might come like that

How will you know for SURE what onset date they used? My husband's award letter didn't specifically say his onset date and we had to call 100 times to figure it out. Make sure you look at that letter carefully when you get it because changing the onset date later is a NIGHTMARE if they get it wrong!!!

Has anyone else noticed their monthly payment amount is WAY LESS than expected??? My friend with lung cancer got approved last year and was shocked when he only got about $1900/month even though he made good money before getting sick. I heard SSDI has some weird maximum cap on benefits no matter how much you paid into the system!!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time with your diagnosis and the financial stress that comes with it. I wanted to share some additional information that might help ease your worries. Since you mentioned your case was expedited with a handwritten note, that's actually a really positive sign. It shows the examiner took special care with your file and felt confident about the 09/15/2023 onset date recommendation. In my experience with family members who've gone through similar situations, when there's clear documentation like hospitalization records supporting the onset date, SSA rarely changes it in the final decision. One thing that might help with the waiting anxiety - you can create a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. Once your case is fully processed, you'll be able to see your benefit amount and payment schedule there. It's usually updated within a few days of the decision. Also, don't forget to ask about Medicare eligibility when you speak with SSA. With SSDI, you typically become eligible for Medicare 24 months after your entitlement date, but there are some exceptions for certain conditions that might apply to your situation. Take care of yourself and focus on your treatment. The financial piece will work itself out, and from what you've described, it sounds like everything is moving in the right direction.