I get this question all the time: "Should I wait until I turn, 50 or 55, before I apply for Social Security disability benefits?" People ask because they've heard the law treats you differently once you hit those ages, and they're right about that part. Turning 50 or 55 does make it easier to get disability benefits. But the answer to the question is no. Do not wait for your birthday to apply.

Here's the thing people miss: waiting for your birthday doesn't make the process faster or easier. It just adds to the time you have to sit and wait for your claim to be granted. Right now, claims are taking nine months to a year for a decision at the initial level, and up to two years for a decision at the hearing level. You want to cut as much time off that wait as you possibly can, not tack more months onto the front of it.

There's another reason not to wait, and most people have never heard of it. The SSA has a policy for what it calls borderline age situations. If you're within six months of an upcoming birthday that would put you into one of those different age categories, 50 or 55, the SSA can decide to go ahead and treat you as though you've already reached that age. So the birthday you're thinking about waiting for may already be working in your favor before it arrives.

If you think you need to apply for disability, the age rules are not a reason to hold off. Apply now. Your case will still be in line when your birthday comes, and if you're close enough to it, the SSA can already treat you as if you're there.

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