Received Ssdi Letter Of Award

[Cherie33]

Hello fellow Vets,

I received my award/payment amount letter from SS on Sept. 7, 2009. I am due 3 years backpay, does anyone have any idea when I should receive my backpay? I started receiving my monthly SSD payments in Oct. 2009.

Thanks,

Cherie33

[free_spirit_etc]

Wow Free,

It took (5) months...That's crazy...When I received my letter of award, it explained of how much I would get monthly, and it also said how much back pay I was entitled to, as well as how much they would with hold for payment to my attorney's "Binder & Binder". I sure hope it doesn't take that long. I was told initially that I would receive payment 60 - 90 days as of the date of the notice of award which was Sept. 7, 2009 (I believe). So, it's already been 90 days, according to that calculation. Anyway, thanks for your response.

Cherie33

Cherie,

I think my son's took longer because of complications. The award letter had a different date the the ALJ decision. (ALJ decision said May 1, 2007 - Award letter said February 2007). I thought the award letter was in error because the ALJ decision is binding. The Processing Center doesn't actually have the authority to change the date of the award. So rather than let them pay all the retro back to February 2007, and have the possibility to have to return some of the money - I contacted SSA and asked them to determine the correct date of the award BEFORE they sent the check (and BEFORE they enrolled him in Medicare).

I imagine that this added a significant amount of time to the process. He was also on SSI, prior to receiving the DAC (Disabled Adult Child) benefits. So they had to determine the offset for that - which also takes time.

However, they did tell me when I called that retro checks are not the first priority. Getting people their ongoing monthly payments takes precedence, and so sometimes, when they are swamped, the retro checks might take longer than anticipated.

If they have already determined your back pay amount and attorney fees - that is a good sign. My son's initial letter just gave his date of entitlement - with no amount indicated yet.

My husband, on the other hand, had his money deposited in his bank account before the even got the award letter. He received his money a few weeks after applying. But my husband's claim was a TERI (Terminal Illness) claim - and they process those quickly.

I doubt your wait will be as long as my son's. But it may be a bit longer than 60 to 90 days.

Free

Edited December 28, 2009 by free_spirit_etc

[Cherie33]

Cherie,

I think my son's took longer because of complications. The award letter had a different date the the ALJ decision. (ALJ decision said May 1, 2007 - Award letter said February 2007). I thought the award letter was in error because the ALJ decision is binding. The Processing Center doesn't actually have the authority to change the date of the award. So rather than let them pay all the retro back to February 2007, and have the possibility to have to return some of the money - I contacted SSA and asked them to determine the correct date of the award BEFORE they sent the check (and BEFORE they enrolled him in Medicare).

I imagine that this added a significant amount of time to the process. He was also on SSI, prior to receiving the DAC (Disabled Adult Child) benefits. So they had to determine the offset for that - which also takes time.

However, they did tell me when I called that retro checks are not the first priority. Getting people their ongoing monthly payments takes precedence, and so sometimes, when they are swamped, the retro checks might take longer than anticipated.

If they have already determined your back pay amount and attorney fees - that is a good sign. My son's initial letter just gave his date of entitlement - with no amount indicated yet.

My husband, on the other hand, had his money deposited in his bank account before the even got the award letter. He received his money a few weeks after applying. But my husband's claim was a TERI (Terminal Illness) claim - and they process those quickly.

I doubt your wait will be as long as my son's. But it may be a bit longer than 60 to 90 days.

Free

Thanks Free! I hope that I receive payment soon.

Cherie33

[Pete53]

Cherrie:

Call them and ask how long. Good Luck I hope that you get it soon.

[free_spirit_etc]

Thanks Free! I hope that I receive payment soon.

Cherie33

Cherie,

You might want to check this thread out on SSA Connect. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the posts on the topic. The top of the page just lists the current posts). On this thread the attorney's are discussing tracking down the payments. It also indicates that there is a number the attorneys can call to track the status. Their basic stance is that it is still the attorney's responsibility to make sure you are paid in a timely manner.

http://ssaconnect.com/component/option,com...ewtopic/t,7257/

Free