Just to add to what Janke said (and her points are critical because if you don't have the recent work hours in, qualifying for SSDI is a moot point).......

But, if you somehow do have the work quarters in......applying for SSDI sooner rather than later is important. You don't want even more time to go by since you last worked, making your work history farther in the past.

A large insurance settlement can affect the amount of SSDI you would get in your monthly check, but then your monthly amount bounces back up when they are done counting your insurance claim. So, you might not get as much from SSDI for awhile (because they won't let your total disability income be more than 80% of your pre disability pay, the approval date for SSDI being sooner if you apply now will help with qualifying for Medicare sooner and also being included in any COLA adjustments that might be given.