Getting approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is a huge relief. After months — or even years — of waiting, you finally hear the words:
✅ “Your claim has been approved.”
But what happens next?
Many people are unsure what to expect after they receive their approval letter.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly what happens after your disability claim is approved, including when you’ll get paid, what benefits you’ll receive, and how to keep them.
1. You’ll Receive an Award Letter
The first thing you’ll get is a formal award letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
This letter will include:
- The date SSA found you disabled (called your “disability onset date”)
- The amount of your monthly benefit
- When your payments will begin
- Details about any back pay you’re owed
- Information about your eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid
✅ Tip: Save this letter — you’ll need it for things like applying for housing, food assistance, or health insurance.
2. You’ll Receive Back Pay (If Applicable)
If you’ve been waiting a long time for approval, SSA may owe you retroactive benefits, often called “back pay.”
How far back your payment goes depends on:
- Your disability onset date
- When you applied
- Whether you’re receiving SSD or SSI
✅ SSD back pay can go back up to 12 months before your application date, if you were already disabled.
✅ SSI back pay only goes back to the month after you applied.
💵 Back pay is usually deposited in a lump sum for SSD, but may be split into three smaller payments over time for SSI.
3. You’ll Start Receiving Monthly Payments
SSA will begin sending your monthly disability payments either:
- By direct deposit into your bank account, or
- On a Direct Express debit card
✅ You’ll receive SSD payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on your birthday.
✅ SSI payments are made on the first of the month.
Your payment amount depends on your:
- Past earnings (for SSD)
- Current income and living situation (for SSI)
4. You May Qualify for Health Coverage
Disability benefits often come with health insurance:
- SSD recipients become eligible for Medicare after 24 months from the date their disability began.
- SSI recipients usually qualify for Medicaid immediately in most states.
SSA will automatically enroll you, or send instructions when it’s time to sign up.
5. You May Receive a Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
Once you start receiving benefits, SSA will periodically review your case to make sure you still qualify. This is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR).
How often this happens depends on your condition:
- Every 6–18 months if improvement is expected
- Every 3 years for most cases
- Every 5–7 years if improvement is not expected
✅ During a CDR, you’ll need to show you’re still disabled and still receiving treatment. Keep up with your doctor visits and maintain updated medical records.
6. You’ll Have Work Incentive Options
If you eventually want to try working again, SSA has programs to help:
- Trial Work Period (TWP):
For SSD recipients, lets you test working for up to 9 months without losing benefits. - SSI Work Incentives:
SSI allows some earned income before reducing your payment — and offers programs like PASS (Plan to Achieve Self Support).
✅ SSA encourages people to try working again when possible — and these programs provide safety nets to ease the transition.
Final Thoughts
Getting approved for disability benefits is a huge milestone — but it’s not the end of your journey.
Here’s what to keep in mind after approval:
- Understand your payment schedule and back pay
- Stay on top of medical treatment and SSA reviews
- Watch for Medicare or Medicaid enrollment
- Learn your rights and responsibilities as a recipient
If you’re unsure about what happens next or need help understanding your award letter, don’t hesitate to speak with a disability expert or attorney. You’ve waited a long time for these benefits — now it’s time to use them wisely and protect them for the future.