Can you claim disability benefits while claiming retirement benefits?

So you now file for SSD. This will not take over night. She maybe turned down the first time. Your lawyer maybe able to help but he cannot charge. Lets say Mom files May 1 and is turned down. The lawyer files again. In all, it takes a year for Mom to be excepted. She will get retro pay back to her first filing. Out of that back pay the lawyer will receive 15 % but no more than 6k.

Mom will get Medicare and Medicaid on SSD. So at 65 she will already have Medicare. At 66 she can get full retirement SS benefits.

(It's Dtgray) I called my mom's lawyer today to clarify and the lady said she can still claim disability since she retired at 61. He full benefits will kick in at 65/66 regardless of her current benefits.

I’m no expert, but...

My understanding is one does not gets SSI just for being disabled. It is because one is disabled and unable to work. If the person is already retired - they aren’t working as it is. So, no. No Social Security along with SSI.

Also playing into it is being disabled and low income - likely due to not being able to work or if able
to work - only very few hours and/or at a job that pays so little the individual falls under the allowable income received to still qualify for SSI.

And of course there is being disabled due to illness, long-term injury or permanent disability due to injury - and being low income and unable to work. Medicaid can be pursued in some circumstances and without receiving Disability.

Hope that that made some sense. It’s late...

It does seem that you are dealing with 2 separate issues. I agree with the other answers, check with SS office.
Then, also check w Medicaid and other agencies for seniors/aging benefits in your area to see what mom qualifies for in way of assistance. Also, Meals on Wheels may be something that would be of help to her.
Ccatholic and Lutheran Social Services are both amazing sources of help for elderly and disabled persons, whether it not you are if their faith.
I know it can be overwhelming maneuvering through all the bureaucracy, I've done it for several family members and now am doing it for myself. I wish you all the best.

To be fair, the OP never said her mom was receiving SS at 61. The benefits she speaks from may have been from a retirement plan.

If your mom is claiming social security benefits now, she cannot claim disability benefits. You can’t get both. There is an early retirement exception but social security has to agree that the disability began before she retired.

To qualify for SSI, she has to have limited income and low assets. If she’s single, she can have $2,000 in assets. The income limit is $771 a month BUT if she brings in more than that per month, it doesn’t meant she won’t qualify for SSI because not all income counts.

At 61 your Mom was not entitled to Social Security unless a widow. You can collect SS at 62 with reduced benefits. Like Barb says she May be able to get SSI, Supplemental Security Income. With that comes Medicaid and food stamps. Once you are collecting SS you cannot claim a disability to receive more money. Disability has to be established before you start collecting.

If your mom is very low income, she may be eligible for SSI, as well as Medicaid and food stamps. She should make an appointment with her local Social Security office.

Are you asking about social security or employer benefits? To my knowledge, you can't collect both. But if it is an employer pension plan, you can always call the HR department to see if there is anything they could recommend.
Disability benefits are available for those who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability. The fact that she retired first probably changes things.