I live on S.S.I. only also. I am not eligible for S.S.D.I., because I don't have enough work credits on my record.

The Social Security site is the way to go, explains all the rules, things vary according to state also.

Many of us have had to go through several applications, there is an entire process to this, best to persist persist persist. Many of us are denied at the first couple levels and this is entirely normal.

When I reached the level of seeing a judge (I'm not using the proper official terms here, too tired to look them up, it is all on website ), I found an attorney who specialized in these cases, who only got paid a percentage if I was approved. I was approved, they were paid, I am happy with their service.

The experience applying was long, tedious, exhausting, and often triggering. I found ways to cope: having something to do while on phone hold and in waiting rooms, therapy during the process, being really organized with paperwork.

I have my small monthly S.S.I. check, housing help that pays for much of my rent through Section 8 housing, food stamps, and medical.

Oh I should add some helpful advice: keep all records, everything, every piece of paper, even notes on phone calls and meetings. The process of application is all about documentation. SS will very likely ultimately want records from every place you can think of and then some, in most cases they will get the records themselves, anything you can do to stay organized is very helpful also.

If you can, get yourself a file cabinet or notebooks or file folders, browse around in the home office supply section of a store and get what appeals to you.

Being organized will help diminish some of the overwhelm possible with this journey.