No. You do not have to wait a year after becoming disabled to receive disability benefits.  However, you should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits (three to five months).

If your application is approved, your first Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began.

For example, if the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. However, Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, so you will receive your July benefit in August.

For more information about Social Security disability benefits, refer to Disability Benefits(Publication No. 05-10029) at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.