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When to File Applications

Excerpted from "Social Security Handbook". See the up-to-date, official Social Security Handbook at ssa.gov.

1502

1502. When to File Applications

1502.1 When should you file an application for benefits?

You may file your application for monthly retirement benefits up to 4 months before you are entitled to benefits. You may file your application for disability insurance benefits before the first month you are entitled to benefits. An application for monthly survivor benefits should be filed immediately when you meet all eligibility requirements for benefits on the deceased individual's record.

1502.2 When should you file an application for the establishment of a period of disability?

If you are applying for the establishment of a period of disability, you may file your application before the first day this period begins. Your application becomes effective some time before we make a final decision on your application.

Last Revised: Aug. 1, 2006


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There are 12 Comments

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 16:09

I will be 62 in 14 months and have filed for disability, was denied and have appealed. Will my disability claim interfere with any retirement claimj?

Submitted by Site Admin on Sun, 12/05/2010 - 18:29

You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old to apply for retirement benefits. You should apply for benefits no more than four months before the date you want your benefits to start.

You can apply :

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 20:46

I just turned 55 in Dec. 2010 and Jan. 2011 I begin receiving my retirement benefits from a company that closed down and relocated several years ago. However, I need to apply for medical disability because I had to quit working 2 part time jobs due to not being able to stand for more than 2-3 hours a day becasue of severe pain, swelling and numbness in both feet and legs. After several tests, my doctor diagnosed me with Neuropathy, which is nerve damage to my feet and nothing surgerically can be done. He also stated they will get progressively worst as time goes on. So, what forms do I need to complete to file for disability?

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Thu, 01/27/2011 - 13:08

I will be 62 in Nov 2011. I was married for 11 yrs, have been divorced for 2 yrs, no remarriage. I am told I can file on my ex spouse's benefits. Do I file 3 or 4 months ahead of my birthdate, or do I have to wait til after that? Also how are the amounts of benefits determined in this case of filing as a former spouse?

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:01

According to the schedule I have given---the date for me to take full retirement is 66 years and 3 months. How do I find out how much difference it would make in my check if I retired at 65 instead of waiting until 66 years 3 months and also if I would retire at 65---how much could I earn if I decided to continue to work??

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 10:05

I turned 62 on August 10 ..I have filed for SSI payments...They explained that because my first payment date was to close to the date of my payment which was scheduled to be Sept 13 ... I will not get my first payment until October ...Will i get 1 payment or 2 in October? has anyone ever had this happen

Submitted by Site Admin on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 00:21

I suspect you're going to receive Social Security retirement benefits, rather that SSI which is generally meant for low-income folks who are disabled or age 62 or higher.

Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month they are due. For example, if you turn 62 on July 15, your first month of entitlement is August, and you would receive your first check in September. However, if your birthday is May 1st, then your first month of entitlement is May and you would receive your first check in June.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/331


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