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After Approval of Disability Benefits

Congratulations, you've finally been approved for Social Security or SSI disability benefits!

You probably have lots of questions, such as when will you get your backpay, how much will the lump-sum check be, and will you have to pay taxes on that amount? Or if a representative payee will be involved, you'll want to know how the payee can spend the disability check. And like most disability recipients, no doubt you are wondering how long your benefits will last. You may even be worrying already about what could terminate your benefits. Here are answers to those questions and more.

Most people who are approved for Social Security disability benefits receive a substantial amount of backpay. Learn how much you might get.

Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) can be subject to tax, but most people don't pay taxes on them because they don't have much other income.

Question: I have been receiving disability for seven years and have received a letter saying Social Security does routine audits every three to seven years. Should I be concerned?

I'm getting married and am over 60 years old. How will this affect my SSI payments?

If you start working, or your medical condition improves, or you change your living situation, your disability benefits could be terminated.

You can test out your ability to work while collecting Social Security disability without losing your benefits.

If your Social Security benefits were terminated because you went back to work, you may be able to get them reinstated quickly.

A Social Security representative payee helps disabled individuals manage their benefits.

Here’s what a Social Security representative payee can purchase and what’s off-limits.

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