deltaelise

I found the answer at a web site so I will share it with those who wonder the same thing:

For example, if a claimant alledged that their disability began on 9/1/99, and either an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) or a Disability Examiner decided, based on a review of the medical evidence, that this was the case, a claimant would potentially be awarded benefits starting from that date (social security disability cases, however, are subject to a five month waiting period which, effectively negates five months of benefits--the fiver month waiting period does not apply to ssi cases). In almost any case, this would mean several thousand dollars in backpay.