I know what you mean about the "bittersweet" feeling. I got kind of depressed a few days after finding out that my claim was approved. Then I got over that and felt relieved to have received a decision.

If you call up the person who called you, or just call Social Security Administration, they can tell you what you will get. You are eligible for Medicare 2 years after you start collecting SSDI. (In other words, you don't have to wait until you are 65, which is the norm.) But there is that 2 year wait. In the meantime, you might want to go to the Income Support office nearest you and apply for the following: Medicaid & Food Stamps. The criteria for getting Medicaid varies a LOT from one state to the next (as far as I can tell.) Also, what Medicaid will get you varies a LOT.

It's worth applying for the Food Stamps (SNAP), even if it only gets you $20/month. That's because getting SNAP can make it easier to get other things - like a subsidy toward paying your phone bill (about $12.00/month taken off your bill.) Eventually, there will even be a subsidy toward getting Internet access. (Some places have it now, allowing low-income households to get High Speed DSL for $10.00/month.)

Good Luck. I have found that no one Case Manager, Social Worker, etc. knows everything about everything. You have to double check everything yourself, or you are very apt to end up not getting all you are entitled to.