Get your doctor to write the words u201cThis patient is unable to work in any capacity.u201dBe sure to include all of your disability, including how the disabilities interact with each other. Missing both hands is 100x worse than missing only one. If you donu2019t get your doctor to spell that out in writing they will mark you down for 1 missing hand and 1 more missing hand and pretend you can still throw a baseball.If you end up at the Administrative Hearing, show how you really look rather than trying to respect the court by putting your best foot forward. I made the mistake of trying to be professional and the judge thought I could maintain that presentation for a whole work day. I wish my lawyer had warned me before I wore my best suit and tie, took a double dose of anti-nausia meds, and u201cmanned upu201d like a soldier for the 30 minute hearing before collapsing afterwards.In theory your SSI and SSDI CAN be applied for concurrently. The people at the Social Security Office do not believe it, but the law says you can get paid while you wait to get paid. No need to give up on disability because you canu2019t afford to not be on welfare for 2 years. Itu2019s a fight worth fighting. If you get your SSDI they will deduct the SSI you were doled out from the lump sum back paymentu2023 but you need that $ NOW so get it now.