Social security help, a discussion.
If you are approved, you are not eligible to receive benefits until after a 5 month waiting period from the established date of onset of your condition. The onset date is the first day you were unable to work due to your condition. But the review process for an application takes an average of at least 90 days. So, if you wait to apply, you can expect delays in receiving your first payment. A claimant is entitled to back payments of benefits.