What's happened since August

The application

So I did my application online in August.  It was pretty easy, really.  I've been fighting against applying for SSDI for years.  I hate the thought of it, but that's not the point of this post.  It didn't take that long, and I was able to input my work history (what I can remember anyway), my conditions, my doctors, my hospitalizations, medications, and diagnosis'.

Fast forward about a month, and I got a letter from PA's Disability Determination Service.  They wanted me to call them and talk to them.  So I did, and my claim adjudicator asked some questions, (heck if I can remember what) and told me to expect two packets to fill out.  Of course, with my bad memory, it took a while for me to fill them out, but I sent them out in October.  

In the meantime, I've been seeing my psych and therapist.  My therapist has referred me to case management with my local behavioral health commission.  For the life of me I can't remember my meds, and when I do I'm not near them, or about to fall asleep.  I'll be doing something in the kitchen for example, remember... and then SQUIRREL! Next thing I know it's 8 hours later and I still haven't taken them. 

Not much has happened since then with my application.  I keep hoping I'll be one of the few that's approved at application, but it's not likely.

In any event, I was trying to find a SSDI lawyer.  I talked to a few, and they all ask the same questions:

1. Have you worked 5 of the last 10 years?
2. How old are you? 
3. What is your condition?
4. When did the disability start? 

There's a few others, too. At one point I had one of those big law firms finally tell me I could call the SSA and ask them how many credits I had over the last 10 years, and my date of last insured (I'll get into that on another post.) So I did.  I last worked in April of 2012.  I called the SSA and the woman I spoke with told me that I had 31 total, 18 in the last 10, and my date of last insured was June 30, 2013.  Well dammit.  I started crying like an idiot.  So I called back the lawyer's office and they told me they wouldn't represent me.  Crap.  I had shopped around a bit before all of this, and I got a phone call 5 days ago from a firm.  They asked me the basic questions, but nothing about my DLI.  

I got an email a few days ago, and they agreed to represent me!

Here is the SSA's online application for benefits for both SSI and SSDI.