I had been in-patient for 7 months when I had to make the switch from private long term disability insurance from my employer to SSDI. The hospital social worker put completed paperwork in front of me to sign. I signed it. According to the person legally designated to make financial decisions for me at the time, the SSDI claim was approved in 3 weeks and the first check arrived 2 weeks later. She said there was a back amount between the overlap of my two insurances. I was on SSDI for 10 years. With the help of an amazingly patient and encouraging psychiatrist I went back to work in my professional field in 2008. Returning to the workforce was one of the greatest achievements of my long treatment. Disability insurance doesn't have to be forever.