Retirement
For retirement benefits that can vary depending on your financial situation, your retirement plan and mainly if you are still working. If let’s say you met all the criteria needed to be able to file, you could do everything about a month before you’d like to start getting a payment. Social Security Administration – Retirement Benefits
Survivors
Survivors benefits are more complexed and you may have more options if you qualify for these benefits. In some cases you could be widowed more than once, which would give you even more options. There are thousands of different scenarios and everyone’s can be different. It’s very important you understand the options you have before initiating an application. Social Security Administration – Survivors
Disability
If you have no other disability policies that prevent you from doing so, I would recommend filing for disability as soon as you have a diagnosis for a condition that is expected to be greater than 12 months and keep you from working. If you do have another disability insurance, whether short-term or long-term, you should consult with them in regards to Social Security Disability and if it could affect anything. Social Security Administration – Disability