Filed in 2010 when my dr would not release me to go back to work she said I could not hold down a job. . Frst thing you have to do is call or go into SSD and see what amount you would get and can you live off of it. Do not hire an attorney if you have exstincive medical records showing a firm diagnosis!!! You don't need a attorney to fill out your forms. Answer all SSD or SSID question they send by mail or on line. Still do not use an attorney, all this stuff you can do so don't pay an attorney...yet. I no longer could worked at Well Fargo and had already been receiving my Met Life disability from them. So my income along with my husbands income helped us while i waited to get approved. It will take two years and a couple appeal letters, so don't worry, it is their normal procedure, I kept doing my own paper work and fought them. At this point I still had not retained a LAWYER . The problem unless they change it is you can't hold a job and file for SSID Continue seeing your Drs and keep every appointment and medical records on file with you. I walked in with a stack of doctors record, the most important ones from the Mayo Clinic. When they finally gave me a court date. That's when I got a disability lawyer only to represent me at my hearing. If you when you get approved SSID they will back pay you from the first day you filed you claim. Which will be about 2 yrs of back pay. An attorney I believe gets 20% if you use them from start. Filing these claims are so easy all you need is to retain a SSID attorney for is to go into court with you. after your approved they will follow up with you regularly . I want to add, be very consistent with the questionnaires. I made copies of those days that I filled out and my husbands part. Because they will ask you the same questions again when you appeal. I will be more than happy to help walk through this journey. I saved a lot of money by not retaining an attorney. Some people may recommend you get an attorney. I'm here either way if you need me :)

@melony2 it is very unnerving when I hear about the lack of regard a Doctors gives a patient about there pain. My primary which I had used for years knew immediately something was going on with my body. Getting approved is a long battle, I will be happy to answer any question I can.

I have no Idea, but call the social security office and ask or go on line http://www.ssa.org.

Well my husband has no choice he can't work. We are two years and five months waiting for a court date.

I am in the middle of this process. I have a social security lawyer who is a friend helping me. She said it's a long road but you can get the help you need. Make sure you apeal and get a lawyer if you are rejected. It seems unfair to have to go through it this was but it is worth getting you so peace of mind.