I endorse the idea of establishing a good record - a paper trail. I do know of someone who applied and got approved while actually working. What weighed in was a history of great difficulty, and SSA didn't think the job would last too long.

I recently got approved for SSDI. Based on my experience, I highly recommend using a law firm. (I used one of those nationwide firms.) I had medical records scattered all over in multiple states. I think the most valuable thing the law firm did for my claim was to get my medical records gathered up and sent in to SSA.

There is a lot of paperwork that SSA sends to you to fill out. I strongly advise that you educate yourself through the Internet and through a good book on the process. I got approved in just 3 months, and I believe it was because I understood what I needed to set forth in filling out the paperwork. Had I delegated that to one of the clerks, or paralegals, at the law firm, I don't think it would have been done as well. I can't emphasize enough how much educating yourself will help. There is great stuff on line for free . . . like videos given by lawyers.

The economic landscape is much harder to survive in than it used to be. That corporate layoff must have been a hard blow. Sorry you are in such a tough spot.