# How far back does SSDI back pay go?

The 12-month retroactive cap and the five-month waiting period together set the earliest month SSDI benefits can be paid.

**Direct answer:** SSDI back pay can go back to your established onset date, but by regulation it cannot start earlier than 12 months before your application date and cannot include the five-month waiting period.

## What is the 12-month cap?
SSDI regulations allow retroactive benefits for up to 12 months before the month of application, if you were disabled that long.

## What is the five-month waiting period?
The first five full calendar months after the established onset date, during which no SSDI benefits are payable.

## How is back pay calculated?
From the first month of entitlement (onset date + waiting period, but no earlier than 12 months before application) through the month the decision is effective.

## Sources
- SSA — Disability Benefits Publication — https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10029.pdf
- SSA POMS — Retroactivity of SSDI Benefits — https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0450001010

## Related questions
- [What is the SSDI 5-month waiting period?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-is-the-ssdi-5-month-waiting-period)
- [When do SSDI payments start?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/when-do-ssdi-payments-start)
- [How is SSDI back pay paid out?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/how-is-ssdi-back-pay-paid-out)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSDI Appeals — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals
- 5-Month Waiting Period — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-is-the-ssdi-5-month-waiting-period

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