Advised to apply for SSDI by my doctor and very scared.

Cboxpalace - thanks. Maybe I'm making myself feel overwhelmed with more burden than I need to. Sounds like you know how the claim works its way through. I think I was getting so paranoid that the lawyer and paralegal would not do the best job that could be done.

The unfortunate result seems to be that I'm frozen and not making a move. Someone told me that that's a bad thing to do. This person told me that the longer I wait to file, the lower my benefits will be if and when I do get my claim approved. He said the more time you are not in the workforce, the lower your benefit will be (unless I guess if you can get the onset of your disability backdated.)

Thanks for the explicit breakdown of how the process unfolds.

Generally you can make a case for your first day of disability being the first day you were unable to work. I don't know what your work history is or when you left your last job, but as an example...when I first applied for disability, my last day of work was October 11, 2000. I tried to go to work on the 12th but never made it in the door. Even though I didn't officially apply for disability until January, my "official" date of disability for SS purposes was Oct 12th. Lots of people find they can no longer work but don't apply for SS right away. Maybe they're thinking they're going to go back, or maybe they're taking some disability leave through work...whatever the reason, they don't apply right away. But if you can document that you left work due to your disability, then you can usually claim the first day you were unable to work.

I wouldn't wait too long if you have made the decision to apply, but be sure to go as far back as you are entitled to, because it is this date they will also use to calculate when your benefits start, ie: six months from your disability date, not your application or approval date.

I hope things go smoothly for you and you feel better soon.