What Are Retroactive Benefits?

Retroactive benefits are payments the Social Security Administration (SSA) may issue for the months before you applied for SSDI, dating back to your established onset date (EOD)—the date SSA determines your disability began.

These benefits are only available through SSDI, not SSI, and can provide a valuable financial cushion while you're waiting for approval.

How Far Back Can Benefits Be Paid?

In Minnesota, retroactive SSDI benefits can go back:

• Up to 12 months before the date you filed your application
• After a mandatory 5-month waiting period from your established onset date

This means that if SSA agrees your disability began 17 months before your application, you may receive 12 months of back pay after subtracting the 5-month waiting period.

Example:

• You apply in June 2024
• SSA decides your disability began in January 2023
• You could receive back pay for July 2023 to June 2024 (12 months)

How Is the Onset Date Determined?

SSA reviews your:

• Medical records
• Work history
• Doctor’s statements
• Statements from you and your family

If you clearly document when your condition started affecting your ability to work, SSA is more likely to accept your claimed onset date, which increases your potential retroactive pay.

What About Back Pay After Approval?

Once your application is approved, SSA will also issue back pay from the date you applied up until the approval date. This is in addition to any retroactive benefits and is usually paid in a lump sum.