Aloha Larry,
My husband of 28 years, passed away in 2015. I resigned my work after TDI, as my medical condition was not expected to improve for several months. I turned 62 in Feb of this year, 2022, but had applied for Survivor's benefit and am now receiving this benefit. I have many medical conditions, and was advised before receiving The Widow's survivor's benefit, that my medical conditions would qualify me for SSDI. I did not apply for this first, as I had wanted to try to return to my professional career. My question is: would there be an advantage to apply for the Disability /SSDI benefit now,? Can I apply to switch from Survivor's benefit to Disability benefit if I am already receiving an SSA benefit? Is the SSDI benefit paid out at a higher rate than Widow Suvivor benefit is? What will happen when I reach My retirement age?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Qualifying for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits would only increase your monthly benefit amount if your SSDI amount would be higher than your widow's rate. If you become entitled to SSDI benefits in any month after your first month of widow's benefit entitlement, your widow's amount would be offset dollar for dollar by the amount of your SSDI benefit. So, the only way that you'd get more monthly benefits by qualifying for SSDI is if your SSDI is higher than your widow's rate, or if your first month of SSDI entitlement would be the same as or earlier than your first month of widow's benefit entitlement.

However, Medicare eligibility starts with the earlier of a) the month you reach age 65, or b) the 25th month of your entitlement to SSDI benefits. So, if you're approved for SSDI benefits and if your first month of entitlement is prior to the month you reach age 63, you could become eligible for Medicare somewhat sooner.

Best, Jerry