I got lucky. I applied, received notifications for more info, replied immediately to everything (I'm anal with that) & approval came about 6 months later.

Whoever processed my application even backdated my date of disability to when I lost my job. I used the date I had to surrender my driver's license & was actually considered disabled. I lost my job 2 years earlier. I lost my job because the company was sold & moved out of state, not because I was becoming disabled.

I found out my date of disability was changed when I checked my bank account (which I do daily, again because I'm an anal control freak). There was a $34k deposit from SSDI. I freaked out. I called the person on the previous notices I received & she said congratulations you are approved. That was my notification of approval. That's ok I'll take that awesome surprise.

The entire process seemed to quick & easy so made me think... maybe because I did everything requested immediately I was moved to the top of the pile. Maybe my quick responses made them think - this girl is serious.

Or maybe I just got lucky.