SSDI application at 63 with long-term disability - Medicare waiting period question

He can definitely file for both regular retirement benefits and SSDI simultaneously - that's called a "concurrent claim." SSA will process both. If approved for SSDI, he might get a higher benefit amount since disability benefits aren't reduced for early filing like retirement benefits are. As for the Medicare waiting period, unfortunately I believe the 24-month period starts from when he's first entitled to receive SSDI payments, not from when the disability began. The original onset date might be 20 years ago, but since he never filed and received payments, the clock wouldn't have started.

Actually the Medicare waiting period does have some exceptions, but they're pretty specific. ALS patients get Medicare immediately. End-stage renal disease has special rules too. But for paraplegia, I don't think there's an exception. One thing your brother-in-law should consider - when he applies for SSDI, he can request an "onset date" from when his disability began (20 years ago). HOWEVER, SSA will only pay retroactive benefits for 12 months before application date. So even with an established onset date 20 years ago, the 24-month Medicare waiting period would still apply from when he starts receiving SSDI now.

I helped my cousin through this last year when she got laid off at 61. She had MS for 15+ years but kept working. Here's what we learned: 1) The 24-month Medicare waiting period DOES start from when you begin receiving SSDI benefits, NOT from onset date. It's completely unfair to people who choose to work despite disability!! 2) You can ABSOLUTELY file for both retirement and SSDI at the same time. She did this! 3) Important: If he gets approved for SSDI, they'll convert his retirement to disability benefits which are paid at the FULL retirement amount even though he's only 63! That's about 13% more money each month! 4) Make sure he has VERY detailed medical records from when his disability started, continuing to present. The more documentation, the better! Hope this helps with your brother-in-law's situation!

I just went through this situation with my wife who has MS and worked for 14 years after diagnosis before needing to stop. Let me clear up a few technical points: 1. Medicare waiting period: The 24-month waiting period begins from when you start receiving SSDI payments, not from your established onset date (EOD). The exception is if your EOD is established to be more than 29 months before your application date - then some of that time can count toward the 24 months. 2. Concurrent filing: Yes, he should definitely file for both retirement and SSDI concurrently. If SSDI is approved, he'll receive the higher of the two benefit amounts. 3. Important benefit: If approved for SSDI, his benefits will be paid at his full retirement age amount even though he's only 63. This is a significant advantage. 4. Retroactivity: SSDI can be paid retroactively for up to 12 months before application date (if he meets the criteria during that time). 5. Healthcare gap: The tough period will be between losing employer coverage and either SSDI approval + 24 months or reaching 65. COBRA is expensive but may be necessary for some portion.

Have u looked into marketplace insurance? Might be cheaper than COBRA until medicare kicks in. Also check if your state has any disability health programs.

Getting through to SSA to even ask these questions can be a NIGHTMARE. I spent 3 weeks trying to reach someone about my disability application. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in 20 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Made a huge difference for me since I needed specific answers about my situation that weren't on the website. Your brother-in-law's situation is complex enough that speaking directly with an SSA rep would be really helpful.

My freind works at SS and she says apply RIGHT AWAY bcause the processing time for SSDI is like 6-8 months sometimes even longer!!! He should get retirement benefits started while waiting for SSDI decision. That way he gets some income at least!!

One thing nobody's mentioned - if he gets approved for SSDI with an onset date from 20 years ago, does he qualify for any back payments? Seems like the system should compensate him for all those years he could have collected but chose to work instead.

This is actually a common misunderstanding about SSDI and Medicare. The 24-month waiting period for Medicare begins when you become entitled to SSDI benefits, which is typically 5 months after your established onset date (due to the SSDI 5-month waiting period). However, since your brother-in-law has been disabled for 20 years but never applied, his entitlement date would begin 5 months after he applies and gets approved (assuming they establish his onset date as recent). If he can prove he met the disability criteria continuously for the past 20 years, the onset date might be set far back, but SSA will only pay benefits 12 months retroactively from application date. The Medicare clock would still start from his first SSDI entitlement, not from the onset date 20 years ago. Only time actually receiving SSDI benefits counts toward the Medicare waiting period.