When Do My Benefits Begin? How far back will retroactive benefits reach?

For SSDI and for Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits, there exists a five month waiting period. The earliest benefits can begin is five months after the person became disabled. In addition to the waiting period, retroactive benefits can only reach one year back from the date of your claim. To put it another way, benefits cannot be paid for disabled time that is more than one year prior to the date of your claim.

The rules are a little different with Disabled Adult Child benefits and SSI. With Disabled Adult Child benefits, there is no waiting period and the retroactive benefits can only reach six months prior to the date your claim. SSI benefits are not retroactive.