Can I apply for SSDI at 66 if already receiving Social Security retirement benefits?

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.

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!!!

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

I'm sorry to hear about your health struggles and financial stress. The other members here have given you excellent advice about SSDI not being available once you're receiving retirement benefits. One additional resource I'd suggest is contacting 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). They're a helpline that connects people with local assistance programs for things like utility bills, food assistance, transportation, and medical bill help. They often know about local charities and programs that aren't widely advertised. Also, if you haven't already, speak with a social worker at your doctor's office or hospital - they usually have lists of patient assistance programs and foundations that help with medical expenses for people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Some pharmaceutical companies also offer patient assistance programs that can significantly reduce medication costs. Hang in there - there are resources available even if SSDI isn't an option.

I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your health and finances. The information shared here is accurate - unfortunately, once you're at full retirement age and receiving retirement benefits, you can't switch to or add SSDI since they're essentially the same benefit pool. However, I wanted to add a few more resources that might help with your medical expenses: 1. **Patient Advocate Foundation** - They offer financial aid programs specifically for people with chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and heart conditions 2. **NeedyMeds** - Their website has a database of patient assistance programs organized by medication name and condition 3. **HealthWell Foundation** - Provides grants to cover insurance premiums, copayments, and deductibles for people with chronic conditions Also, since you mentioned working part-time at a hardware store, you might want to look into whether your former employer offered any retiree health benefits or if there are any union benefits you might be eligible for. The Medicare Savings Programs that others mentioned could be a real game-changer for your monthly budget. Don't get discouraged by the application process - these programs are designed to help people exactly in your situation.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share something that might help. My neighbor went through a very similar situation last year - he was 67, already on retirement benefits, and developed serious health issues that made working impossible. While he couldn't get SSDI, he did successfully apply for several programs that made a huge difference in his monthly expenses. The biggest help for him was the Medicare Savings Program - it covered his Part B premium ($174/month) and reduced his out-of-pocket costs significantly. He also got approved for Extra Help with prescription costs, which cut his medication bills by about 80%. One thing he wished he'd known earlier was that many hospitals have financial assistance programs for patients who can't afford their bills. He was able to get some of his existing medical debt reduced or forgiven entirely by applying directly through the hospital's billing department. I know it's frustrating that SSDI isn't an option, but from what I've seen with my neighbor's experience, there really are meaningful resources available that can help ease the financial burden. Don't give up - you've worked hard for 40+ years and deserve support during this difficult time.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add something that might be helpful. As others have correctly stated, you can't receive SSDI once you're already getting retirement benefits at your full retirement age - they're essentially the same benefit pool. However, I wanted to mention something specific about rheumatoid arthritis and heart conditions that might be worth exploring: many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs specifically for these conditions. For RA medications (which can be extremely expensive), companies like AbbVie, Pfizer, and Amgen often have programs that can provide medications at little to no cost for qualifying patients. Also, since you mentioned working at a hardware store, you might want to check if you qualify for any trade-specific assistance programs or if your former employer offers any post-employment medical benefits. One more suggestion - contact your state's Area Agency on Aging. They often have case managers who specialize in helping seniors navigate all these different programs and can walk you through applications step by step. Sometimes having an advocate who knows the system can make all the difference. I hope you find some relief soon. Dealing with serious health issues while worrying about finances is incredibly stressful, but there are people and programs designed to help.