No, unfortunately, you cannot work while waiting for your Social Security decision. To be declared disabled by SS, you have to prove that you are unable to work in any capacity at any job. If you work even part time, they will deny you. I know this can put you in a very difficult financial situation. You may need to reorganize your budget and finances so that you can live on your husband's income for a while. Were you working before you applied? Are you eligible for any sort of employer-based short or long term disability benefits? What did you give them as your date of disability? Even if you are approved tomorrow, you need to calculate six months from your official disability date (the first day you were unable to work) - that is when your monthly payments would begin. But they will pay you back payments if you are waiting longer than that for an approval.

As for the work incentive program, it's called the Ticket to Work. You need to wait two years after your benefits start before you can call SS to get a "ticket". Once you get it, you can work up to 9 months and earn as much as you want without losing your benefits. This is called your Trial Work Period. If, after your TWP is over, your monthly earnings were over whatever the current "substantial gainful activity" limit is ($1000 now I think? That's before taxes, btw.), then you are given three more months of benefits before your monthly benefit stops. However, for the next three years, if you have a month in which you earn less than the threshold, you can call SS and let them know. They will pay your monthly benefit for that month. If, after three years, you are still working, your eligibility for benefits will end. However....you have another five years after that where you are able to go back on disability without having to go through the whole approval process over again. They will do a medical review to determine if you are once again disabled and are able to begin your benefits again quickly if necessary.

The Ticket to Work will also give you access to job training programs if you need them.

Here is a link to the SS website for more information:

http://ssa.gov/work/aboutticket.html

As far as your earlier question of what to do in the meantime while you're waiting for approval...work on your health. I know when I first went on disability I spent a lot of time in treatment, learning how to manage my symptoms and my day to day life. Try to incorporate enjoyable things throughout your day as you feel able to - not sure if you have any hobbies or anything like that. As much as I was relieved to not be working anymore, it was still an adjustment. Give yourself some time to get used to it, but try to put some structure into your days.

I hope you get a quick approval.