Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits?
The philosophy behind the waiting period requirement is that this period is long enough to permit most temporary disabilities to be corrected or for the person to show signs of probable recovery within less than 12 months after the onset of disability. The intent is to help assure that Social Security disability benefits are provided only to persons with long-term disabilities and to avoid duplicating disability payments by private disability plans and employer sick-pay plans during the early months of disability. Originally, the disability waiting period requirement was six months, but the 1972 Social Security Amendments reduced the waiting period to five-months to help diminish financial hardships by individuals who might have little or no savings or other resources to fall back on during the early months of a long-term disability.
– The five month waiting period ensures that during the early months of disability, we do not pay benefits to persons who do not have long-term disabilities. Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been disabled continuously throughout a period of five full calendar months. Therefore, Social Security disability benefits will be paid beginning with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
Social Security assumes that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers compensation, insurance, savings and investments. Social Security is designed to provide a continuing income to you and your family when you are unable to do so. Benefits continue as long as you remain disabled.
The five month waiting period ensures that during the early months of disability, we do not pay benefits to persons who do not have long-term disabilities. Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been disabled continuously throughout a period of five full calendar months. Therefore, Social Security disability benefits will be paid beginning with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
The five month waiting period ensures that during the early months of disability, we do not pay benefits to persons who do not have long-term disabilities. Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been disabled continuously throughout a period of five full calendar months. Therefore, Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
