Can I collect unemployment or SS retirement while my SSDI application is pending? 64-year-old with amputation

Yes, you actually have a few options here. You CAN apply for your regular Social Security retirement benefits while your SSDI application is pending. At 64, you'd get approximately 93% of your full retirement benefit. If your SSDI is later approved, SSA will adjust everything and pay you the higher of the two benefits going forward. As for unemployment - that's trickier because to qualify for unemployment, you typically need to certify that you're able to work and actively looking for work, which might contradict your disability claim. Have you considered an SSI application as well? With dire financial need, that might provide some interim assistance.

BE CAREFUL about applying for unemployment!!!! When I did this while waiting for my disability, they USED IT AGAINST ME at my hearing. The judge said "how can you claim you can't work but then tell unemployment you CAN work???" Almost lost my case because of it. If you're truly disabled, stick with just the early SS retirement while waiting. Just my 2 cents from someone who's been through the nightmare process.

I went through something similar last year. You definitely can apply for your retirement benefits while the SSDI claim is pending. Here's how it works: 1. You'll get reduced retirement benefits immediately (about 93% of your FRA amount at age 64) 2. If SSDI is approved, they'll adjust to the higher payment amount 3. SSA will also pay retroactive SSDI benefits (minus what they already paid you in retirement) The technical term for this is "EDIB switching" (Early Retirement to Disability Insurance Benefits). Since you're under dire needs, this is absolutely the right move to get some income flowing while the disability decision is pending. Just be aware that if your SSDI claim is denied, you'll be stuck with the reduced retirement amount permanently, so it's a bit of a calculated risk.

when I turned 62 i took early retirement while my disabilty was pending. took like 9 months but disability got approved and they switched me over and paid the difference. better than being broke. good luck!

Have you tried calling SSA to check on your SSDI application status? With a 'Dire Needs' case, they're supposed to expedite the process. I was in a similar situation (though I'm 59, not 64) and after weeks of trying to get through on the phone, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an SSA agent in under 10 minutes. I explained my dire needs situation and they were able to tell me exactly where my application was in the process and what to expect next. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU In my case, finding out that my application was actually moving forward gave me peace of mind while I waited. Might be worth trying.

question: doesnt getting approved for SSDI automatically qualify you for Medicare even if youre under 65? thats a big advantage over just taking early retirement

My husband is going thru something just like this. He waited 2 years for decision and finally got approved but then they found an OVERPAYMENT from 10 years ago and are holding everything up!! System is broken!! We had to borrow money from family just to keep our house!!! Have you checked with your mortgage company about forbearance options? Most have hardship programs.

One more thing to consider: if you do apply for retirement while waiting for SSDI, make sure to tell SSA that you want the disability onset date preserved. This technical detail ensures you get the maximum possible retroactive benefits if your disability claim is approved. There's a specific way they need to note this in your file. Also, since you mentioned being an amputee, your condition might qualify under the Compassionate Allowance program, which could speed up your disability decision significantly. Did your disability examiner mention this possibility to you?

They should evaluate your case for Compassionate Allowance automatically based on your medical records, but it never hurts to specifically mention it. Certain amputations do qualify, though it depends on the specifics of your condition. When you speak with SSA, just ask if your case is being considered under the Compassionate Allowance program. If it is, that could reduce your wait time from months to weeks. Regarding preserving your onset date while receiving retirement - this is something you should explicitly request when applying for retirement benefits. Just tell them: "I want to file for retirement while my disability application is pending, but I want to preserve my disability onset date." They'll know what to do, but having it noted properly in your file can make a big difference in potential back payments.