Cousin, 62. Diagnosed with degenerating spinal disks. Receives some public assistance.

[JenniferJuniper]

8. Just want to correct one thing here

Someone who is 62 does not qualify for full Social Security. That's almost five years away.

If someone qualifies for full SSDI at 62, they'd collect considerably more money than Social Security would pay at 62. Checking my most recent statement, in my case the SSDI payment would be over $600 more a month than collecting SS at 62.

So while there is no waiting period, SS will likely pay substantially less. And then there's the early availability of Medicare which one cannot get prior to age 65 otherwise.

If the application is successful, the five month waiting period may be tough. But it would be paid retroactive from date of disability. Bottom line, anyone who is disabled and considering an early retirement instead of SSDI should carefully check the numbers first and consider health insurance issues.