Turned 62 June 2020 started receiving Ssdi 2012 owe child support am now told must apply for retirement now. Currently receive ssdi 794.00 with medicaid snaps and housing assistance. Am confused what I am required to do or should do? Thank You

Hi. Social Security couldn't force you to file for early retirement benefits if were only receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. However, if what you're actually being paid is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then if you refuse to file for Social Security retirement benefits your SSI payments will stop.

SSI is a needs based program administered by Social Security. SSI isn't based on a person's Social Security contributions (i.e. FICA taxes), but is instead funded by general tax revenues. People who are blind, disabled, or at least age 65 can qualify for SSI if they meet the program's income and resource limits.

SSI is intended as a last resort source of support for people who have little or no other means of support. One of the requirements for SSI eligibility is that recipients must file for any other benefits for which they qualify, including Social Security benefits, even if fling for the other benefit causes them to receive a reduced rate.

Bottom line, assuming that what you're receiving is actually SSI, your only option is to file for your reduced Social Security retirement benefits now or lose your SSI payments. When you start drawing your Social Security benefits your SSI payments will be offset basically dollar for dollar by the amount of your Social Security benefit. Thus, your SSI payments will either stop or be reduced depending on the amount of your Social Security benefit. But again, your SSI payments would stop anyway if you refuse to apply for your Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry