Will my multiple medical conditions qualify for SSDI at 59 with severe TMJ, spine issues, and GERD while still working?

You absolutely should apply for SSDI based on what you've described. The key factors that work in your favor are: 1) Your multiple severe medical conditions that affect different body systems 2) Your upcoming surgeries (the laminectomy and second cervical fusion) 3) Your age (59 puts you in a more favorable category under SSA grid rules) 4) Your long work history (35 years shows consistent contribution) Here's what you need to know: You don't have to quit your job before applying, BUT Social Security won't approve SSDI if you're earning above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level, which is $1,550/month in 2025. If you're earning more than that, they'll deny your claim regardless of how severe your conditions are. You might consider reducing your hours to get below SGA while applying. This preserves some income while potentially qualifying you for benefits.

i have similr back issues + fibro and it took me 3 trys to get approved. they denied me twice saying i culd do 'sedentary work' even tho i cant sit for more than 20min without severe pain. make sure ur doctors r documenting EVERYTHING - every complaint, limitation, medication side effect. start a pain journal now!!! they wanna see how ur conditions limit daily activities

The SSA evaluates disability claims using a 5-step sequential evaluation process, and working above SGA (as you mentioned your $4,200/month) would result in denial at Step 1. However, there's a strategy you might consider: apply now while still working to establish your onset date and get your claim in the system. Then when you need to stop working or reduce below SGA, you can update your claim rather than starting completely fresh. This approach creates a record of your intention to claim disability while your medical treatments are actively documented. Your combination of spinal issues, TMJ affecting basic functions like eating, documented GERD with Barrett's (which is serious), and fibromyalgia creates a strong medical case, especially given your age. The upcoming surgeries will provide important medical evidence. I recommend consulting with a disability attorney before applying - many offer free consultations and only charge if you win benefits.

I was in almost the exact same situation!!! Had 3 herniated discs, severe osteoarthritis, and a host of digestive issues. I waited TOO LONG to apply because I was stubborn about working through the pain and now I'm paying for it with worse health. DONT MAKE MY MISTAKE!!! People don't realize that working while in severe pain is actually DANGEROUS because your body compensates in ways that cause more damage. My doctor flat-out told me I caused permanent nerve damage by pushing through for those extra 18 months of work. Also - make sure every single doctor you see knows you're applying for disability. Ask them point blank if they support your application. If they hesitate AT ALL, find a new doctor. You need everyone on your side for this battle.

Have you tried calling the SSA directly to discuss your situation? I had to do this when applying with my conditions, and it took FOREVER to get through to anyone. I kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in under 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I actually spoke with someone, they were able to clarify a lot about how working affects an SSDI application. The agent explained options like applying now to establish a record while continuing to work, then updating when I reduced hours. Made the whole process much clearer than trying to figure it out from their website.

Everyone's telling you to apply but nobody mentioned INSURANCE!!! This is CRUCIAL. If you quit working to apply for SSDI, what happens to your health insurance? You won't qualify for Medicare until 24 months AFTER being approved for SSDI. That's potentially 3+ YEARS without coverage if your application takes a year (common). Make sure you have a plan for this gap - COBRA is expensive, ACA marketplace might be an option depending on your estimated income. Don't make a financial decision without considering this massive factor!!!

Regarding your SSDI payment estimate question - you can create an account at ssa.gov and view your Social Security Statement. It will show your estimated disability benefit based on your work history. Generally, SSDI averages around 40% of your pre-disability income, though there are minimum and maximum benefit amounts. I also want to address the insurance concern raised by another commenter. If you reduce hours at your current job enough to get below SGA but maintain eligibility for employer health insurance, that could be ideal during the application process. Another option is to look into whether your state has a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities - these programs have higher income and resource limits than regular Medicaid. Your medical conditions sound severe enough to potentially qualify for Compassionate Allowance or other expedited processing, especially with the combination of spinal issues requiring multiple surgeries, documented TMJ affecting basic functions, and GERD with Barrett's (which has cancer risk implications).

Since we're talking about strategies, here's a thorough approach based on your situation: 1) Speak with your doctor about potentially reducing your hours for medical reasons (documented medical necessity) 2) Check with your HR department about: - Whether reduced hours would maintain your health insurance - If you qualify for short-term or long-term disability through your employer - Whether FMLA might apply to give you protected time for surgeries/recovery 3) Create your my Social Security account to verify your SSDI estimate 4) Consult with a disability attorney about timing your application 5) Ensure all your medical records explicitly document: - Functional limitations (how long you can sit, stand, walk) - Failed treatments you've already tried - Pain levels and frequency - How symptoms affect your ability to work Many people make the mistake of applying too early without sufficient medical documentation or too late after struggling unnecessarily. Finding the right timing is key.

I'm dealing with similar spinal issues and wanted to share something that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned your boss is starting to notice productivity issues, have you considered talking to HR about requesting reasonable accommodations under the ADA before making any major employment decisions? Things like a sit/stand desk, more frequent breaks, or even working from home a few days a week could help you maintain your job longer while you're going through the disability application process. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to continue working with accommodations, which can actually strengthen your SSDI case by demonstrating that even with workplace modifications, your conditions prevent you from maintaining substantial gainful activity. Also, given your upcoming laminectomy, make sure your surgeon documents in detail your current functional limitations and expected recovery timeline. Post-surgical complications or incomplete recovery can be significant factors in disability determinations, especially when you're already dealing with multiple conditions affecting different body systems. The fact that you're 59 with 35 years of work history puts you in a strong position under the medical-vocational guidelines if your conditions prevent you from doing any work you've done in the past 15 years. Don't lose hope - the process is daunting but your situation sounds like it has merit.