If illness or injury affects your ability to earn a living, filing for Social Security retirement benefits early may be on your mind. For some people, however, applying for Social Security disability benefits makes a lot more sense depending on their age and current needs. Disability Claim Consultants of Omaha can help you make difficult decisions regarding future benefits, which is crucial to ensure your basic needs continue getting met. Decide which option works best for you, so you can receive the financial assistance you need if you’re unable to work.

Early Social Security Retirement

Applying for benefits once you’ve reached full retirement age (which ranges from 65 to 67 depending on when you were born) means you will receive full benefits. However, if you apply for benefits early, you will receive reduced benefits. For instance, if you apply for early retirement benefits at 62, you will only receive approximately 70% of the benefit amount you would get at full retirement age. 

If you’re currently suffering from a serious illness or injury, this reduction of benefits can be hard to manage. Therefore, it might make more sense to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits instead of, or in addition to, early retirement benefits.  

Social Security Disability

Those who qualify for Social Security disability benefits will receive the full monthly amount, regardless of their age. This is because these benefits are payable to people incapacitated by illness or injury and can no longer work as a result. To qualify for benefits, you must prove that you meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. 

You must have a severe impairment that is expected to be disabling for at least 12 months or expected to end in death. The rules and regulations can be difficult to understand, but Disability Claim Consultants will answer all of your questions.  

If you’re applying for disability and need help navigating this complicated government process or are concerned about your chances of receiving approval, the team at Disability Claim Consultants can use their knowledge to work on your behalf. Contact them in Omaha by calling (402) 422-1000. You can also find out more about the applications process by visiting them online.