Your health is more important than anything else. More important than work and more important than money. Take the disability you can get for now and see how you feel after resting. If you still need government assistance, don't hesitate. It is only three years and you'll be 62 years old and you can leap what you've planted. Don't feel bad being on assistance.
My guess is that if you take this time to heal, you will be able to go back to work if you want to. If you don't want to go back to work, that is OK too. It is all in the way you feel.
I have been on some form of government assistance for my Bi polar and AIDS since 1999 and when I get better I look for work and if I cannot work, I go back on assistance. It has been a lifesaver and there is no shame on being on assistance.
All the best to you.
Always
Muthoni (Mson)