Can I receive back pay after SSDI approval in Missouri?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 08/06/2025
Yes, most people approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Missouri are eligible to receive back pay. This payment covers the months (or even years) between when your disability began and when your SSDI benefits were finally approved. Since the SSDI application process often takes several months, back pay helps ensure you’re compensated for the delay.

Understanding how back pay works and how much you may receive is important for financial planning.
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What Is SSDI Back Pay?
SSDI back pay is the lump sum of benefits owed to you from the date the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines your disability began (known as your established onset date) up to the month before your monthly payments begin.
You’ll receive this payment after your SSDI claim is approved. In most cases, it’s deposited directly into your bank account in one lump sum.
How Far Back Can SSDI Back Pay Go?
There are two main factors that determine how much back pay you’ll receive:
1. Date You Became Disabled (Onset Date)
The SSA will determine your onset date based on your medical records and work history. This is the date they believe your disability started.
2. 5-Month Waiting Period
Even if you qualify, the SSA does not pay benefits for the first 5 full months after your onset date. This is a standard waiting period that applies to all SSDI claims.
3. Retroactive Pay (Up to 12 Months Before Application)
If you became disabled before you applied, you may receive retroactive back pay for up to 12 months prior to your application—if you can prove you were disabled during that time.
Example:
- You apply for SSDI on January 1, 2024
- SSA determines your disability began on January 1, 2023
- You wait 5 months (Jan–May 2023) – these months are not paid
- You may be eligible for back pay from June 2023 until the month before your claim is approved
- If your claim is approved in September 2025, your back pay could cover 15 months of benefits (June 2023 to August 2025)
How Is SSDI Back Pay Paid in Missouri?
Back pay is usually paid in a single lump sum, deposited into your account a few weeks after your approval letter. You don’t need to apply separately—it is processed automatically as part of your award.
Can an Attorney Help with Back Pay?
Yes. An SSDI attorney can help by:
- Making sure your onset date is accurate and fully supported
- Submitting the right documentation to maximize your back pay
- Ensuring the SSA doesn’t overlook any months owed to you
Legal representation is especially important during appeals, where back pay can cover even longer periods.
How Hogan Smith Can Help You
At Hogan Smith, we help Missouri residents not only win their SSDI claims—but also secure the maximum back pay they’re entitled to. We’ll handle:
- Filing or appealing your SSDI application
- Establishing the earliest possible onset date
- Submitting additional evidence to strengthen your case
- Following up with SSA to ensure prompt and full payment
Contact Hogan Smith Today
Want to make sure you get the SSDI back pay you’re owed in Missouri? Call Hogan Smith today for a free consultation, and let us help you claim every dollar you’ve earned.
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