yea honey.... That's the way mine started also I got a check for 6 months and then the award letter and the checks then came on a regular day every month I recieve ssi because I had enough qualifying weeks and am disablied. mine award is for 7 years and then between 5-7 years I may need to be re evaulated.I don't have any medical insuranse and I now am asking if anyone out there could help me with this problem... Do I now need to apply for this???? and the other question I have is do we get a benefit increase or cost of living raise????