For Disability Benefits and for Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefit, the benefits begin five months after the person becomes disabled. Benefits can be paid for up to one year prior to the date of the claim, if the medical records support this. For a Disabled Adult Child, benefits begin as of the onset date, but benefits cannot be paid more than six months prior to the date of the claim.
SSI benefits begin at the start of the month following the date of the claim.