In Va it wasn't so hard, You automatically go through two appeals, which is the norm. They don't even look at your application. I hired a Disability attorney, but a Legal Aid which is cheaper knows how the process works. I wouldn't recommend representing yourself, only about 2% win on their own. There's a cap what the attorney can take from your back pay SSD. First you have to be out of work for 6 months. Then apply and it takes about 9 months to a year, but other areas are different. A doctor stating you're disabled is needed in most cases. The rule is if you cannot substain an 8 hr day at a job. But pain causes depression, so just that can be a reason for SSDI. I had worked for most of my long career and made good money, so I received a healthy benefit. But if I didn't have a spouse to help, it would have been very difficult . Also, the amount depends on how many years you've worked and the last five years which is usually your high paying years and they come up with a formula to come with your benefit amount. If you haven't been working long the benefit can be disappointing, but you have to do what you have to do. We all have different situations. But good luck, I wish you the best.

I’m from Canada, and I did, but it took two years and many dollars to get it. I had to go through the appeals board and I took my employer with me to help answer the questions.