Hi!
Could you put off hiring a lawyer for SSD at least until/if your 1st SSD application is denied? I was approved after only 2 months, 3 weeks and a day, and found the SSA website and online application process way simpler and user friendly than I ever expected. And our local SSA office was filled with people who were respectful, helpful and kind. So I printed off an application for disability from the website, filled it in, (bewarned, it is over 25 pages long), did a sloppy copy, tweaked it for clarity, simplified anything I could, then did a clean, formal copy that I mailed by certified mail. I kept copies of everything. I actually built a notebook, in chronological order, that I have to this day, and used for my teacher retirement disability. I was able to call the SSA office and actually speak to a helpful human. I was so overwhelmed with the paperwork, it actually took me a month to do it. I actually got a call from my assigned caseworker to ask why I hadnt sent in the formal copy yet. Help was offered so professionally. The hidden blessing in being so sick....recognition that yeah, I am as sick as I thought I was. I cried when my pcp said he was surprised I worked as long as I did. Good luck and God bless,
suetoo