If you have been approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may be owed some back pay from the Social Security Administration (SSA). For a claimant who has been approved for SSI benefits, they will be eligible for payment from the date of their application or the date they are found disabled, whichever is later. If the amount of back pay owed is more than $2000 the SSA will pay you in six-month installments until you have been paid in full.
SSI is a needs based benefit program. SSI recipients must be found medically disabled and must meet certain financial need requirements to be eligible for benefits. In order for recipients to continue to meet the financial need requirements the SSA pays out the back pay in the $2000 installments. During the time period the back pay is being disbursed the recipient will also receive their ongoing monthly payments if applicable.
The SSA may be able to pay the installments sooner if the recipient can show need for an advanced payment. The SSA is very strict as to what may or may not qualify as a reason for receiving an early installment. The SSA website indicates they may release funds early to a recipient who needs food, clothing, shelter, medicine or medically necessary services, supplies or equipment. The SSA may also provide an advance payment for the purchase of a home. In order to request an advanced installment you must contact the SSA directly.
The SSA will release all of the SSI back pay in one payment to a recipient who is terminally ill or is expected to pass away in a year or less.
To read more on the how these payments are released, check out the SSA’s article “Receiving SSI back pay in installments.”
