Can I apply for regular Social Security while waiting for SSDI approval? Urgent income need

Yes, you can absolutely apply for retirement benefits at 62 while simultaneously applying for SSDI. This is called a 'concurrent claim' and many people do this exact thing because of the lengthy SSDI process. Here's what happens: 1. You'll get your retirement benefits fairly quickly (usually within 1-2 months of approval) 2. If your SSDI claim is eventually approved, they'll adjust your payment to the higher disability amount retroactively 3. They'll also remove the early retirement reduction when your SSDI is approved Don't delay - get that retirement application in ASAP for income, then focus on the disability claim. Make sure to clearly state in both applications that you're filing for both programs.

im in almost same boat. started SS at 62 last year then got realy sick in november. applied for dissability in december and still waiting!! they keep asking for more medical records. make sure u have ALL ur doctors names and contact info ready and dates of all treatments. the forms take FOREVER to fill out.

CAREFUL!!! What nobody tells you is that if you take regular retirement at 62 while waiting on SSDI, you're PERMANENTLY locked into a reduced payment even if the disability gets approved!!! My brother-in-law did this and lost almost $400/month for life because SSA only adjusted his payment UP to the disability amount but kept the reduction percentage from filing early!!! The system is DESIGNED to confuse people and pay out less. Don't trust anything without getting it in writing!

I struggled to reach SSA for months about this exact situation last year. Their hold times are ridiculous - I'd be on hold for 3+ hours only to get disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed everything the first commenter said - you can file for both and when SSDI is approved, they adjust everything. I highly recommend getting official confirmation from SSA directly so you know exactly where you stand.

Make sure you document EVERYTHING about your condition. I mean EVERYTHING. The date symptoms started, every doctor visit, medication changes, mobility limitations, daily activities you can't do anymore. They will try to deny you the first time no matter what!!!! My first application was denied even though I literally couldn't walk across a room without falling! Had to appeal twice before getting approved.

Here's the official process for your situation: 1. File for reduced retirement benefits now at age 62 2. Simultaneously file for SSDI with onset date clearly established (February/March 2025) 3. If SSDI is approved, you'll receive: - The difference between retirement and disability amounts retroactively - Removal of the early retirement reduction going forward - Full disability payment (averages about 40% higher than reduced retirement) I worked as a benefits counselor and saw this scenario frequently. The key is making sure your onset date is properly documented before your retirement application date. Get a statement from your doctor confirming your inability to work since at least March.

my neighbor just went thru this! she said make sure you check the box for DIRE NEED on your disability application if your running out of money. it might speed things up a little bit. also apply for SSI at the same time because sometimes you can get that while waiting for SSDI decision.

I had a stroke last year and did exactly what you're asking about. Applied for retirement at 63 while also starting SSDI process. The retirement money started coming within 6 weeks which was a lifesaver. Then 5 months later my disability was approved (I was lucky it was quick). They adjusted everything automatically and I even got some back pay. My advice - get a disability advocate to help with the SSDI part. The paperwork is INSANE when you're already dealing with health issues.

When I was helping my mom with this same situation last year, we had to verify several things with Social Security directly. One thing no one's mentioned yet is that your established onset date (EOD) for disability can affect your Medicare eligibility date. If you're applying for disability, you'll want to start gathering all of your medical records NOW - especially anything that documents when your condition began preventing you from working. Also, while you can definitely apply for both benefits simultaneously, there's a 5-month waiting period for disability benefits from your established onset date. This is another reason many people take retirement first - so they have income during this mandatory waiting period.

I went through this exact situation 3 years ago at age 62 with a back injury that ended my career. The stress of not knowing what to do financially was almost worse than the physical pain! Here's what I learned: YES, you can and should apply for both. I filed for early retirement first (got approved in about 3 weeks) which gave me immediate income relief. Then I filed for SSDI about a month later once I had gathered all my medical records. The key things that helped me: - Keep detailed logs of your daily limitations (what you can't do, pain levels, mobility issues) - Get your doctors to specifically document that you cannot perform your previous job duties - File online if possible - it's faster than mail and you get confirmation receipts My SSDI was approved 8 months later and they automatically adjusted everything. I now get the full disability amount with no early retirement reduction, plus I received several months of back pay to make up the difference. Don't let anyone scare you about being "locked in" to reduced payments - that's not how it works when disability onset occurs before retirement filing. The system actually protects people in situations like yours. Get that retirement application in NOW for immediate relief, then focus on building your disability case.

Mason, I'm so sorry you're going through this - the combination of health issues and financial stress is incredibly overwhelming. I went through something similar when I became unable to work due to chronic fatigue syndrome at age 61. Based on everything shared here (and confirmed by my own experience), you absolutely should file for both benefits immediately. The retirement benefits will give you that crucial income bridge while the disability process plays out. A few practical tips that helped me: - When filling out the disability application, be very specific about your worst days, not your best days. They need to understand your limitations. - Start a daily symptom diary NOW - note when your legs give out, falls, pain levels, activities you can't complete. This documentation will be invaluable. - If you have any family or friends who can help with the paperwork, accept that help. The applications are exhausting when you're already dealing with health issues. The most important thing is to get that retirement application submitted ASAP. You can't afford to wait any longer for income. The disability application can follow once you've secured some financial stability. Hang in there - this process is frustrating but you WILL get through it. Many of us here have walked this path and come out the other side with the benefits we needed.

I'm also dealing with mobility issues and the financial stress that comes with sudden inability to work. What you're describing sounds exactly like what I went through when my condition first started affecting my ability to do my job safely. From everything I've learned through my own research and speaking with SSA representatives, you absolutely can pursue both benefits simultaneously. The retirement benefits will process much faster (usually within a month) and give you that critical income you need right now. The SSDI application is a separate process that runs parallel - if approved, they'll adjust your payments retroactively and remove any early retirement penalties. One thing I found helpful was calling SSA early in the morning (around 8 AM) when hold times are typically shorter. If you can get through to speak with someone directly, they can walk you through both applications and confirm that filing for both won't negatively impact either claim. The medical documentation is crucial for SSDI - start gathering records from every doctor you've seen about your leg issues, including any emergency room visits, physical therapy notes, or imaging results. Even if they haven't pinpointed an exact diagnosis, the documentation of your symptoms and functional limitations is what matters for the disability determination. Don't wait any longer on the retirement application - your financial situation is urgent and that benefit can provide immediate relief while you work on the longer SSDI process.