What is the established waiting period for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits?

The established waiting period for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits is five consecutive months. This means that after a claimant is determined to be disabled, there is a mandatory five-month waiting period before they begin receiving benefits. The intention behind this waiting period is to ensure that the disability is long-term and not temporary, allowing the Social Security Administration (SSA) to assess the condition and confirm eligibility.

During this waiting period, beneficiaries do not receive any SSDI payments, and the five-month countdown starts after the onset date of the disability as determined by the SSA. It's important to understand that this waiting period does not affect the individual's eligibility; it simply delays the start of benefit payments. Once the waiting period completes, SSDI benefits are paid retroactively to the sixth month after the disability onset date.