The Social Security Administration in the United States has sought to clear up one of the questions that most concerned thousands of beneficiaries. SSA's response is now on the table, and it comes with a clear explanation for all citizens.
The question many people were asking was simple: is it possible to receive disability benefits even if the application hasn't been submitted yet? According to Social Security itself, in the United States, people can receive disability payments even before submitting the official application, but with a very clear condition.
Social security addresses beneficiaries with disabilities: you must know this today
The maximum that can be collected under these circumstances is 12 months, as long as the beneficiary meets the other requirements demanded by Social Security. This means that it's not enough to be ill or disabled; all the elements that SSA reviews in each case must be proven.
SSA reminds people that the purpose of this detail is to avoid leaving unprotected those who, due to lack of knowledge or delay, haven't submitted their application on time. This way, if a person proves that they were disabled before submitting the document, they can receive retroactive benefits. But in no case will those payments exceed the 12-month limit.
You can receive your benefits even if you haven't submitted the application
Social Security's explanation has brought peace of mind among beneficiaries, because there was confusion about whether payments were only made from the date of the application. Now SSA has made it clear that people can receive money from previous months, although only up to that maximum of one year and always under strict conditions.
However, people must keep the waiting period in mind. SSA has reminded people that there is a mandatory five-month period without benefits from the time the disability begins. This means that the first actual payment won't be made until that period has passed.
Questions settled by SSA: many breathe easier
For example, if someone applies in January and proves that they were disabled since May of the previous year, they will receive their first payment in November. They will do so after the waiting period has been completed.
With this clarification, Social Security in the United States has sought to provide certainty to all beneficiaries. The euphoria is evident in many forums and social media, since thousands of Americans had the question of whether they were losing money by not submitting the application on time. Now they know that they can receive payments for previous months, if they meet the other conditions required by Social Security.
SSA's explanation thus clears up one of the major questions surrounding the collection of disability benefits. This detail can make a difference in the finances of many households and shows the importance of knowing Social Security's requirements and deadlines in detail.