Aging with Illness and Disability- Working AND Getting Social Security Disability

In the four chapters of Part 4 in RELAUNCH!, Fernando Narvaez , a Social Security attorney and I discuss some of the lesser known details of applying for, and using Social Security disability benefits. This could be of interest to anyone who has a physical or mental disability or serious illness that prevents working full time.

It's not easy to get Social Security disability when you are younger, but the criteria progressively ease after ages 50, 55, and 60. It's worth looking at once you get past 50 because if you are found disabled, not only can you receive disability benefits payments, you will also qualify to receive Medicare. You still will be able to earn some income without placing your Social Security payments in jeopardy. So this means you can continue to work in your profession or do other work on a limited basis. This may be all you can do anyway because of limitations, doctor appointments, medication effects and so forth. Being able to continue limited work can be an important factor, not only for financial reasons, but also for maintaining a continuing sense of fulfillment in doing something that is meaningful to you.

As for Medicare, this can be a major benefit if you are under 65, the normal age to qualify, and if you  need surgeries and ongoing medical treatment. This benefit alone could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if you are otherwise uninsured or poorly insured. It could also mean you can get necessary treatment rather than deciding whether to see a doctor based on whether you can afford it. If you have a chronic or unstable medical condition having Medicare takes the worry of not being able to get treatment, e.g., for cancer, or being concerned that you won't be able to afford it.