Court-ordered interim benefits are benefits that the court orders SSA to pay to a
claimant until the court or SSA takes additional action. Court-ordered interim benefits
may be paid based on a court order, a “bench” order, or a verbal commitment between
the U.S. Attorney and the court.
An interim benefit order is not a determination of the claimant's entitlement to benefits. It is an order to pay
pending some final action/determination on the part of SSA.
NOTE: Court-ordered interim benefits are not the same as “interim benefits” paid under
the provisions of Public Law 100-647 (P.L. 100-647) or a continuation of benefits
elected by the claimant while administrative appeal of a disability cessation is pending
under P.L. 97-455 and P.L. 98-460 and subsequent versions of these public laws.
Benefits under P.L. 100-647 are paid when payment based on a favorable Office of Hearings
Operations decision has not been effectuated within 110 days of the decision. This
can occur when the AC has taken own motion review of an ALJ decision. (See DI 42010.205 and SI 02007.001 for interim benefits in cases of delayed final decisions.)