Estimate Your SSDI Back Pay

Your Estimate

Disability onset date (when your condition began preventing you from working)

Date you applied (or plan to apply)

Estimated monthly benefit amount ($)

Calculate Estimate

How This Estimate Works

SSDI has a mandatory 5-month waiting period from your established onset date before benefits begin to accrue, and a maximum of 12 months of retroactive benefits before your application date. This tool takes the later of (onset date + 5 months) and (application date − 12 months) as your effective start date, then multiplies the number of months from that date to today by your estimated monthly benefit.

This is a simplified planning estimate, not a determination of your actual back pay. Your real onset date is established by the SSA (or an Administrative Law Judge on appeal) based on medical evidence, not simply the date you choose here. An advocate can help make sure the onset date used in your case is accurate and fully supported.

Note: These rules apply to SSDI. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) works differently — it has no 5-month waiting period and no retroactive benefits before the application date.