Hi ~ You have to get denied ONE TIME before you can get an attorney to help you with disability. Those are the rules. So fill out the forms for disability - you can get the forums from your Social Security office -- and send them in. My FIRST denial didn't take long at all. LOL I didn't know the rules back when I was doing mine because it was before the internet - and i didn't know anyone on disability - so I did my application a 2nd time - and got denied again. The third time, I got an attorney - on contingency - meaning I didn't pay him anything - until he WON and then he got his fee from my back pay. If he lost the case, he got nothing! We won. But I was slated to go before the Judge for a hearing (that's normal) for the final approval -- a week before my hearing, I got approved anyway - so i didn't have to go before the Judge.

Back then, it took me 2 1/2 yrs from start to finish. It doesn't take that long anymore, I don't think. At least people here have said it hasn't been that long. I'm disabled due to spinal problems, which seems to be very difficult to prove -- you wouldn't think so - I had all the films, etc. It depends on what your disability is, I guess. Best of luck - and let us know when you get approved! God bless. Hugs, Lee