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  Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits?
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  Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits?
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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.

 


 
 
 
  
 
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