Can I apply for SSDI at 66 if already receiving Social Security retirement benefits?
I've been receiving my regular Social Security retirement benefits since I turned 65 last year. Unfortunately, my health has significantly declined over the past 6 months due to severe rheumatoid arthritis and a heart condition. I can no longer work my part-time job at the hardware store that was supplementing my retirement income. My medical bills are piling up, and I'm wondering if I can now apply for disability (SSDI) benefits even though I'm already receiving retirement? I'm 66 now, so I know I'm at full retirement age (FRA), but I'm desperate for additional income. What are my chances of getting approved if I apply? Would it even increase my monthly payment amount? Any advice from those who've been through this would be greatly appreciated.
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Isabella Silva
Unfortunately, once you've reached full retirement age (FRA), you cannot receive SSDI benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance automatically converts to retirement benefits at FRA, which is age 66-67 depending on your birth year. Since you're already receiving retirement benefits, applying for disability would not be possible or beneficial at this point. However, you might qualify for other assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP benefits, or energy assistance. I'd recommend contacting your local Area Agency on Aging to discuss options.
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Malik Robinson
•That's really disappointing to hear. My medical expenses have nearly doubled since my diagnosis. Are there any exceptions to this rule? I worked for over 40 years before starting retirement benefits.
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Ravi Choudhury
Have you looked into SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead? It's different from SSDI and is based on financial need rather than work history. Might be worth checking if you qualify based on your current income and resources!!!
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Isabella Silva
•That's a good suggestion, but SSI has very strict income and resource limits. For 2025, an individual can't have more than $2,000 in resources (excluding home, one car, etc.) and the monthly income limits are quite low. If the original poster is receiving regular Social Security retirement, they may exceed the income threshold for SSI eligibility. Still worth checking though!
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Freya Andersen
my sister tried this exact thing last year and got DENIED. she was already 67 and getting ss retirement. they told her once ur at retirement age u cant get disability anymore, its ether one or the other not both. sorry to be the bearer of bad news
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Malik Robinson
•Thank you for sharing your sister's experience. It seems like I might be out of luck with the disability option. Did she find any other programs that helped?
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Omar Farouk
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST SENIORS!!! I went through something similar and wasted MONTHS trying to get SSDI after I was already on retirement. Complete waste of time and energy when I was already sick. They don't tell you this stuff clearly on their website either. Why would they make it so complicated?? And don't bother calling them - I tried 23 TIMES in one week and couldn't get through to a real person. The SSA doesn't care about seniors struggling with health issues and bills!
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CosmicCadet
•I feel your frustration. My mom had a similar experience last year trying to figure out her benefits. The system is definitely complicated and sometimes seems designed to be confusing.
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Chloe Harris
I faced the same problem when I got sick after starting my retirement benefits. After researching extensively, I found that once you've begun receiving retirement benefits, applying for disability won't increase your monthly payment. The only exception would be if you started taking early retirement (before your FRA) and then qualified for disability - in that case, you could potentially get your full disability amount instead of the reduced early retirement amount. Have you considered reaching out to your state's Medicare Savings Program? They might be able to help with medical expenses if you qualify. Also look into Extra Help for prescription drugs if you haven't already.
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Malik Robinson
•Thank you for the suggestion about the Medicare Savings Program - I hadn't thought about that. I'll definitely look into it. My prescription costs have become overwhelming lately.
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Diego Mendoza
Have you tried calling SSA directly? Sometimes the rules have exceptions or they might know about other programs that could help in your situation. Just explaining exactly what you told us here.
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Malik Robinson
•I've tried calling multiple times but I either get disconnected or wait for hours. Very frustrating when you're already dealing with health issues!
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Chloe Harris
•I had the same issues trying to reach SSA. After weeks of frustration, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a real person at Social Security. They have a system that holds your place in line so you don't have to stay on the phone for hours. Saved me so much stress and I finally got answers about my benefits. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Worth checking out if you're still trying to connect with SSA.
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CosmicCadet
my aunt just went thru something similar, she didnt try for disability but did apply for help with her medicare premiums and got it which saved her like $170/month i think? might be worth looking into
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Malik Robinson
•That's really helpful information! $170/month savings would make a big difference for me right now. I'll definitely look into the Medicare premium assistance programs.
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Isabella Silva
To clarify for everyone: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and retirement benefits are essentially the same benefit pool. At full retirement age, disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits - they are not separate programs you can receive simultaneously. For the original poster, since you mentioned medical expenses, I strongly recommend: 1. Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) - can help pay Medicare premiums and in some cases deductibles/coinsurance 2. Extra Help program - assists with prescription drug costs 3. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) - additional medication help in many states 4. Medicaid - if your income and resources are low enough Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free counseling on these options. They can help determine what you qualify for.
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Malik Robinson
•Thank you so much for this comprehensive information. I had no idea about some of these programs. I'll contact SHIP right away to see what I might qualify for. It's been overwhelming trying to navigate all this while dealing with health issues.
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