I applied for disability in May of 2014. My husband made too much for me to file for SSI. 3 months later his job changed within the company and he began traveling. By April of 2015 he was spending most of the month away from home. Physically I could not handle all of the trips to grocery shop, doctors appts, bill paying and caring for our sons. I was drained and had become very depressed being unable to keep up. Unable to change departments, he quit his job in May and returned to self employment allowing him some of the freedom to care for me/us. Now he is below the income guidelines for us to file SSI. My lawyer finally returned my call the month before my hearing and told me to file for SSI. (Sept. 2017) I received a bench decision on my SSDI and am awaiting the award letter. My question is, will I only be eligible for SSI starting September 2017 or will they go back to May of 2015 since this was when he had a shift in employment and we would have become eligible.

Hi,

The earliest month for which you could be paid Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the month after your application was filed (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.21/handbook-2104.html).

Best, Jerry