I am on SSDI and have been for 2.5 years and I was on disability from an insurance company for a year before that. I still feel uncertain about what to say when someone asks "what do you do", and continue to feel embarrassed about being on disability. However, I know I can't take the stress of work. It sends me right into the hospital.

For SSDI, there is a minimum of 5 months' wait to get benefits. I was awarded SSD on the first try and received my notice of award at 4 months, benefits at 5 months. You don't have to wait as long for SSI but the benefits are usually lower than SSD.