If you don't have enough work credits, I don't believe you will ever be eligible for SSDI. It's an insurance program meaning you have to pay in to it in order to receive benefits. The alternate is SSI and state Medicaid.

I think you've received bad advice and are misinformed. $2600 isn't "typical". All SSDI income is based on how much you've paid into the program. Since you haven't paid in much, if you do happen to earn the minimum work credits, you'll still be at the very bottom in terms of income.

Did an individual case worker tell you that you were too educated to receive disability? This is entirely false! Many people of disability are highly educated.

Your case doesn't even go up for review with social security until it is determined that you've worked enough to qualify for the program. Since you don't have enough credits you were denied at the very first stage.

I encourage you to look into SSI and Medicaid.