Backpay refers to the benefits you are owed from the time of your disability application all the way through your date of approval. When calculating future finances, keep in mind that there is a five-month waiting period. This means that the SSA will not provide backpay for the first five months after you file your application. Even if your claim was approved within five months, you may still not be entitled to immediate backpay. The maximum amount of backpay that you can receive is 12 months.