24 Nov I get Social Security. Can I get disability also?

Q. I’m already getting Social Security benefits and I’m getting getting disability from my job. Should I claim disability with Social Security also?
— Unsure

A. There are a few things to consider here.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides payments to those who qualify medically, have amassed the necessary work history within a recent time frame and who have paid Social Security taxes on their earnings, said Claudia Mott, a certified financial planner with Epona Financial Solutions in Basking Ridge.

“When an individual is receiving SSDI, their benefit `ends’ when reaching full retirement age (FRA), but their payment converts to a retirement benefit under regular Social Security,” Mott said. “The amount of SSDI that was received prior to the switch is based on the individual’s expected Social Security payment at FRA.”

Given that you are already receiving Social Security benefits, there would not be additional benefits available through SSDI, she said.

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This story was originally published on Nov. 24, 2023.

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