How to check the status of your back pay
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not send you a separate notice telling you your back pay is on the way. Instead, you find out by checking your own account or calling them directly. The fastest way is to log into your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov — if you have approved benefits, your back pay amount will show there under "Payment History" once it has been calculated.
If you do not have an online account, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative to tell you the back pay amount and when it will arrive. Have your Social Security number ready. Wait times are usually shorter if you call early in the morning on a weekday.
Back pay is typically sent by direct deposit to the bank account you listed on your process, or by check if you chose that method. The SSA does not hold back pay — once it is calculated, it goes out within days.
Key Takeaways
- Your back pay amount appears in your my Social Security account under "Payment History" once the SSA has calculated it.
- You can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask a representative for your back pay amount and expected arrival date.
- Back pay is sent by direct deposit or check, depending on what you chose when you applied.
- The SSA does not hold back pay once it is calculated — it goes out within days of being processed.
- If your back pay has not arrived within two weeks of the date you were told it would, contact the SSA to report it.
When back pay is calculated and sent
The SSA calculates your back pay only after your claim has been approved. If you were approved on appeal or after a hearing, the calculation takes longer — sometimes several weeks — because the SSA has to review the entire case file and determine exactly which month your disability began.
Once the amount is calculated, the SSA sends it out in a single lump sum. This usually happens within one to two weeks of the approval decision, but can take longer if your case involved a hearing or if there were complications during the review.
You will see the back pay amount in your my Social Security account before the money arrives. This is your signal that it has been calculated and is on its way.
What to do if your back pay has not arrived
If you were told your back pay would arrive by a certain date and it has not shown up after two weeks, contact the SSA. Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell them the date you were given and ask them to check whether the payment was sent and where it went.
If the SSA sent the money by direct deposit, ask them to confirm the bank account number on file. If the account number is wrong, the bank may have rejected the deposit and sent it back to the SSA. If the account number is correct, contact your bank and ask them to search for any rejected deposits from the Social Security Administration.
If the SSA sent the money by check, ask them to issue a replacement check. Checks can be lost in the mail, and the SSA will reissue one if you report it missing after a reasonable time has passed.
Back pay and taxes
SSDI back pay is not taxable income, so you do not owe federal income tax on it. However, if you received other benefits while your SSDI case was pending — such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment, or workers' compensation — those programs may ask you to repay part of what they gave you, because you were technically may have access to to SSDI during that time.
The SSA calls this a Benefit Offset. If you owe a repayment, the SSA will deduct it from your back pay before sending it to you. You will see the deduction listed in your my Social Security account, and the SSA will send you a notice explaining what was deducted and why.
If you disagree with the deduction, you can request a reconsideration, but you must do so within 60 days of receiving the notice. Contact your local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask how to file.
Back pay and debt collection
If you owe a federal debt — such as unpaid federal income taxes, a federal student loan in default, or child support — the SSA may withhold part of your back pay to pay that debt. This is called offset or garnishment.
The SSA will send you a notice before this happens, telling you what debt is being collected and how much will be taken from your back pay. If you believe the debt is not yours or has already been paid, you have the right to request a hearing to dispute it.
Contact your local SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your options if you receive a notice of offset.
How much back pay you should receive
Your back pay is calculated from the month your disability began, not from the month you applied. The SSA determines your onset date during the review of your case — this is the month a medical professional agrees your condition became severe enough to prevent you from working.
If you were approved on your first process, your onset date is usually the month you applied or shortly before. If you were denied and had to appeal, the SSA may set your onset date further back, sometimes by a year or more, depending on the medical evidence in your file.
Your back pay is the total of all monthly SSDI payments from your onset date until the month you were approved, minus any deductions for other benefits or debts. The SSA will show you this calculation in your my Social Security account or in a notice they send you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get back pay after approval?
Back pay is usually sent within one to two weeks of approval. If your case involved a hearing or appeal, the calculation may take several weeks. You can check your my Social Security account to see if the amount has been calculated yet.
Can I get my back pay before my regular monthly payments start?
Yes. The SSA sends back pay as a single lump sum, usually before or around the same time as your first regular monthly payment. The timing depends on when your case was approved and how quickly the SSA calculated the amount.
What if I moved and the SSA has the wrong address?
If you moved, update your address in your my Social Security account right away, or call 1-800-772-1213 to update it by phone. If a check was already mailed to your old address, contact your local post office and ask them to forward it, or call the SSA and ask them to issue a replacement.
Will my back pay be reduced if I worked while waiting for approval?
No. Back pay is based on your onset date, not on your work history after you applied. However, if you earned income during the months covered by your back pay, that income may affect your ongoing monthly benefit amount once you start receiving regular payments.
Can I use my back pay to pay off a debt to Social Security?
The SSA will automatically deduct any debt you owe them from your back pay before sending it to you. You cannot choose to pay it yourself. If you disagree with the deduction, you can request a hearing within 60 days of receiving notice.