What is the waiting period for Social Security benefits?

The waiting period for Social Security disability benefits is five months. This means that once a program participant is approved for disability benefits, there is a five-month duration from the onset of the disability before they start receiving payments. The rationale behind this waiting period is to ensure that only individuals with long-term disabilities receive benefits, helping to manage the program's resources effectively.

During this five-month waiting period, applicants are not eligible for benefits, even though they may be deemed disabled from a medical standpoint. This period helps to verify that the disability will persist for the long term, aligning with the Social Security Administration's goal of supporting those with lasting disabilities rather than temporary conditions.

The other options represent different timeframes for other types of benefits or coverage, but in the context of Social Security disability benefits specifically, five months is the mandated waiting period before benefits commence.