My application got approved in 3 months. I don't think it was because I was so tremendously deserving. I give a lot of credit to the many wonderful resources that are on websites and on YouTube that explain how the decision is made. I took the time to explore these. Plus I bought some books - the ones written at a level most people can understand. Also, I worked with a law firm. I strongly recommend you do that. I recommend the big law firms that specialize in disability claims.

Start calling the law firms. It won't cost you anything to just talk to them on the phone. Call a few. You'll be surprised how quick they call you back and how nice they are. If you put out feelers to about 6 firms, at least a couple will strike you as ones you feel real comfortable with. When you tell them that your psychiatrist wants you to apply, they will get real interested in you. Answer all their questions. That will enable them to size up your chances. They are good at that.

If a law firm says, "Go try it on your own. Then call me if you get turned down." That's a lawyer who wants to see you go through months of pain, so the payoff to the law firm will be bigger. But, if a big firm says they want to help you, that means they think you have a good chance of getting approved. (They won't make a penny, unless you do get approved.)

If you start dealing with the Social Security people on your own, you run the risk of fouling things up without meaning to. I let the law firm tell me what to do, and I did exactly as they directed me. It's okay to use a law firm from another state. Ask them this question: If you need to go to a hearing, will they send a lawyer to go with you. If they say yes, hire them.