Can I get social security disability benefits for any months before I apply?

The following answer is from:




The 12 months pre-filing benefits are called Retroactive benefits, and are only available for SSDI benefits.  SSI claimants are not eligible for retroactive benefits, and can only collect “Backpay” benefits, and “Forward pay” benefits.  So, SSDI = Retro+Back+Forward, while SSI = Back+Forward.  Remember, Backpay benefits start from the moment you file, while Retroactive benefits start at some prior point where it can be proved that the claimant was in fact disabled.