If You Are 62, Should You File For Social Security or Social Security Disability?

You should file for Social Security retirement if you are sixty-two years old, and your work does not interfere with your ability to receive a benefit. However, if are not working due to a medical and/or mental impairment at the age of sixty-two, you may wish to consider filing for Social Security disability at the time you file for your Social Security retirement. Yes, you can file for both retirement and disability at the same time.

You may wonder how that would be beneficial to you? Well, if you are unable to work due to your impairment or impairments, you probably could use some money coming into your household. Social Security allows an individual to draw their Social Security retirement benefit while they wait for a decision as to their disabled status.

When you file for Social Security retirement at the age of sixty-two, you are going to receive a reduced benefit for early retirement. This benefit reduction is a permanent reduction that will not change to a higher benefit at your full retirement. However, if you file for disability at the same time you file for your early retirement and are deemed to be disabled by Social Security, your reduction for early retirement will be lessened.

What do I mean by “lessened”? Social Security may set your medical onset to the date you became disabled to work, and if that date plus the five month Social Security disability waiting period is prior to your month of entitlement to retirement benefits you will receive no reduction to your benefit.

However, if your disability entitlement date is longer than the five month disability retirement, Social Security will only reduce your benefit by the number of months you received retirement benefits prior to your entitlement to disability benefits. While this would not allow you to receive a benefit equal to your full retirement benefit, it will increase your reduced retirement benefit amount.


Of course you always have to option of not filing for a reduced retirement benefit while you wait for your disability decision. It really depends upon your own financial needs at the time you file for a Social Security benefit.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Social Security Disability Claim Status
Social Security Disability, Medical Conditions and Getting Approved
Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability
SSDI Decision, SSI Decison - How long does it take?

Social Security Medical Exam - the purpose

If you apply for social security disability or SSI disability benefits, there is a fairly good chance you will be scheduled to go to a medical exam. Typically, this happens when an individual who applies for disability has not been seen by a doctor in recent weeks or months.

Should you be concerned if you are notified by mail that you will have to go to a social security medical exam? Not at all. Such exams are really only for the purpose of obtaining recent medical evidence that will, in essence, allow the social security administration to close a case, i.e. to make a decision on a claim.

The following article provides information about social security medical exams, but here are a few initial points to keep in mind:

1. The exam will not be conducted by a doctor who works for the social security administration. Instead, it will be conducted by a doctor who has agreed to perform such exams, but, otherwise, is engaged in private practice.

2. The exam will usually last less than thirty minutes, and sometimes as little as ten minutes.

3. The exam will seldom ever provide the basis for either an approval or a denial of a disability case. In most instances, it is simply a procedural formality to go through when an applicant has not been to a doctor recently.


Additional information: Social Security Disability Claims and Medical Exams







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Making a Request for a Disability Hearing

Most applicants for Social Security Disability or SSI disability benefits will be in the position of having to request a disability hearing at some point. This is simply due to the fact that most claimants will be denied for disability benefits at the first step in the process (filing an application for benefits) and will also be denied at the second step in the process (filing a request for reconsideration).

Making a request for a hearing is fairly simply. It simply involves contacting the social security office following the receipt of a reconsideration denial and requesting the appeal, at which point the social security office will mail out the appropriate forms.

What is a reconsideration? Reconsideration (actually known as a request for reconsideration) is the first appeal that a claimant can file for and this becomes available after a disability application has been denied. Reconsiderations are handled identically to disability applications. Since they are, though, it should come as no surprise that most reconsiderations are turned down as well. In fact, in most states, well more than half of all reconsideration appeals are turned down.

Because reconsiderations are turned with such great frequency, most claimants will find it necessary to file their second appeal, which is a request for a disability hearing. Fortunately, more than half of all individuals who go to hearings have their cases approved and inevitably receive benefits.

Tip: if you have representation at the time your reconsideration is denied, you may have your disability attorney request your hearing for you. And if you do not have representation at this time, you may wish to consider locating a representative since a representative will be useful in preparing a case for a hearing, including gathering medical record updates and statements from physicians that support a claimant's case for benefits.

Additional information: Notes on the Request for a Disability Hearing







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

What Happened to the Social Security Lockbox?

Remember the Social Security Lockbox?

It was the talk of the town about eight years ago, before Hurricane Katrina and the War on Terror. The purpose of the lockbox was to secure that there would be future funds for recipients of Social Security.

During the 109th Congress, from January 3, 2005 until January 3, 2007, not a single member of Congress was signed onto lockbox legislation.

Fortunately, 20 members have already signed on to the 110th Congress and are showing their support. Unfortunately, the budget is in a deficit and if they want to pay back the IOU’s they are going to have to either raise the retirement age, reduce benefits or raise taxes.

Will this help future generations in getting the Social Security benefits and social security disability benefits they are paying in for now? Not likely.

The Trustees say that the Social Security Trust Fund is expected to be in deficit by 2017. As if that isn’t enough, they also expect the Social Security Trust Fund to be bankrupt by 2041.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center














Additional Resources

Some children may be eligible to receive disability benefits
Social Security considers children
Processing a Social Security disability to be approved
Social security disability SSI stopped
Approving a social security disability claim
Receive social security disability after approved

New Video Conferencing for Rural Montana Veterans

A new video conferencing system is being put in place for rural Montana veterans, giving them easier contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This system, in tandem with VA staff and Valley Veterans Service Center (VVSC) volunteers, will make it much easier for these veterans to receive the benefits that they deserve.

VVSC is a non-profit organization located in Hamilton, to assist veterans in Southwestern Montana.

This pilot program is the first of its kind, offering staffing support with face-to-face video-conferencing technology. Currently, it is only being offered in Montana, for those living rurally, not near the Fort Harrison VA benefits office.

The system will allow veterans to go to the Hamilton VVSC to receive help from trained volunteers in conducting a video conference to speak directly with the VA in Fort Harrson, instead of having to drive there. This service is currently available during business hours on Fridays.

The goal of this new pilot system is to decrease the amount of travel rural Montana veterans and their families have to travel to conduct business that helps them receive their earned benefits.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center

Social Security Disability Facts

Ever wondered about Social Security disability and how it works? Here are a few simple facts that can help you determine whether you might be eligible for Social Security disability.

You can actually work and be considered disabled, but you will only be found disabled if your condition prevents you from being able to work and earn at least a certain minimum amount each month (this amount is known as substantial gainful activity). If you cannot work and earn at least this amount per month (and that's before taxes), then you may possibly be considered disabled.

Additionally, the social security disability definition of disability infers that you are only qualified as ‘disabled’ if your disability may possibly result in death and it must be expected to last at least one year if it has not already.

Social Security disability is not instant. How long does it take? It can easily take at least three to six months to receive a decision about your claim after you file an application. In the meantime, hopefully you have a savings account and investments to help cover the costs of sustaining yourself.

Other important things to know

Social Security disability does not pay for partial disability or short term disability; it only pays for total disability, as outlined above. Why is this? Probably because insurance and worker’s compensation are expected to cover short-term disabilities.

If you get approved for social security disability, the amount of monies you may receive are dependent upon your Social Security earnings in record. The amount you may receive is not dependent upon your current wages or your current job, but on work done in jobs covered by Social Security. In other words, if you have paid into the system and earned enough quarters of coverage, then you may be eligible to receive social security disability provided you meet the medical eligibility requirements of the program.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center














Additional Resources

Social Security Disability multiple health problems
How long for a social security disability or SSI decision
Social security disability mental condition
Does Social Security disability pay for doctor visits ?
How long can you receive Social Security disability benefits ?
To apply for disability for your children

Disability Advocates

Disability Associates, Inc, is a business and training program to help people become independent Social Security disability advocates. They have a comprehensive, informational website that focus on advocate training and personalized support.

The website offers training packages, such as their fast track program, information about how to market your services as a disability advocate, as well as student training websites, a free e-newsletter and all the information you may need to start a career as a Social Security disability advocate.

Their professional program is downloadable and provides a unique curriculum that offers everything you might need to start and operate your advocacy service – with a free 14 day trial. The site is secure, has an extensive FAQ section and is full of information to help anyone understand the ins-and-outs of Social Security advocacy.







For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Social security disability medical benefits
How long to be approved for social security disability
Social security disability claim reviewed
Where do I go to apply for disability
Social security disability benefits judge
Social security disability medical conditions

Disability Benefits Lawyers Minnesota

Minnesota Social Security Disability Center, also known as the Fields Disability Center, provides its website visitors with information about Social Security disability benefits in Minnesota. They help you learn how to apply, what to do when you’re denied and how to collect your benefits.

Their website has easy-to-navigate sections on ‘Am I Eligible?’, ‘How to Apply’, ‘What if I am Denied?’, and ‘How We Can Help’. The site also offers an extensive FAQ section, answering your most pressing questions.

In addition, you’ll find a Social Security office locator, information about requesting a Social Security Statement, and examples of applications to help you get started.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Apply for social security disability or SSI
Check the status of a social security disability claim
Appeal, denied for social security disability
DDS, disability determination services
Who handles my case if I apply for Social Security disability ?
Do you get medical health care coverage with SSI ?

Disability Lawyers Pasadena California

Potter, Cohen & Samulon, a law office located in Pasadena, CA, have been practicing since 1960 and have over 30 years of concentrated experience. Potter, Cohen & Samulon law offices serve the greater Los Angeles area and are skilled in the areas of Social Security disability law, family law, criminal defense and workers’ compensation.

Their website offers the usual information about how to contact them, their practice areas, lawyer profile pages and a firm overview, as well as many resources, including many of their case summaries and up to date legal news items, to a long list of informational articles and resource links.

The site is easy to navigate and has all the information you might need to determine if their law office might be a good fit for your case.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Social security disability claims decisions
Rules for applying for disability
Denied for disability, new application
Social security disability, medicine prescriptions
Will Social Security deny my disability claim if I am working ?
Difference between Social Security disability and SSI ?

Social Security Disability Benefits Advice

SocialSecurityAdvice.com is a website that exists to provide information and advice to those who have been denied Social Security disability Benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Widow's and Survivors Benefits by the SSA, and Disability Benefits (SSDI). The site is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Social Security Administration or any governmental entity.

SocialSecurityAdvice.com offers a free consultation form and forwards your questions and case information to either the law offices of Iannella & Mummolo or The Law Office of Michael J. Kelley, depending upon your location. Both law offices are located in Boston, MA. After filling out the form, one of the law offices will contact you to give advice on your particular case via email or phone, whichever you prefer.

The site addresses many topics, such as: Are You Elgible for Benefits?, Benefits While Working, Death Benefit, History of the SSA, I have Been Denied, What Do I Do Now?, and Social Security Forms, to Social Security Hearing Office Locators, SSDI, SSI, Survivors Benefits, and Widows Benefits. It also offers many links, forms and articles on various Social Security issues.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Social Security Definition of disability
can an attorney help me win disability benefits?
Disability denial and reconsideration
After you file your social security disability claim
Social security disability case reviewed
Denied on a disability appeal

Social Security Disability Law Nevada

The law offices of Neil H. Good, established in 1991, focus solely on Social Security Disability. The website, socialsecuritylawnevada.com, gives information about the six offices they have available – five in various parts of Illinois and one in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On the website you can find an extensive FAQ section, an in-depth list of the types of disability cases they service, a downloadable fee information form, and what you will need to bring for the first appointment.








For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

Is it possible to speed up the social security disability process?
How to file for a disability reconsideration
Social Security Disability application denied
When should you file for social security disability
How does social security determine if I am disabled?
How do you appeal a social security disability claim

Social Security Disability and SSI Appeals

Haase & Haase is located in San Antonio, TX, and specializes in Social Security and SSI disability claims and appeals. Their website, http://www.haaseonline.com, is a very simple site with only three pages: the homepage, contact information page, and a lawyer bio page.

The law office of Haase & Haase offers a free initial consultation, does not request attorney’s fees, court costs or expenses unless you win, and has been in business for over 25 years.

The website focuses on the firm and their services and therefore does not have much information about SSI, but does offer a few reference links to other sites.






For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability SSI Resource Center















Additional Resources

How to prepare for a social security disability hearing
Working, Social Security Disability, and your medical condition
Social Security Disability SSI claims denied
Disability case, will social security deny every time?
How long for a disability claim decision?
Who will decide my social security disability claim