Hi Buddygreen, First, sorry to hear about your continuing battle with the SSA (Social Security Administration) about collecting benefits. Two years is a long time to wait and being able to collect can't happen fast enough for someone who can't work right now. So without going into an overly lengthy explanation, I'll try and stick to the basics so you might be able to obtain a quicker response.First of all, when you fill out your initial application it helps to have your doctor provide as much documentation about your disabilities as possible. What many folks do not understand is that it is not necessarily the diagnosis of ONE medical issue that will determine eligibility (say only your RA), but rather the SSA's assessment of ALL related medical issues. They use what is called a functional assessment for eligibility determination. At one time they used a laundry list of assorted diseases and disabilities to determine whether you could collect. That quickly grew too cumbersome to use and it was discarded. Now it is based on the impact of a person's ability to function for work. So you want to make sure your doctor has documented all medical issues relating on your inability to work. Frankly your Dr's opinion will carry the most weight with SSA.  So you want to make sure that he has provided to you or the SSA with as much info as possible. If you have gone to many different doctors, get ALL of them to file that documentation for each of their specialty areas.When you fill out the initial application, there are a number of sections, but in reality they are nothing more than a restatement of section one. Inconsistent answers from section to section could result in a delay. If your doctor has not fully completed his portion of the report to SSA-- that could delay a determination.  I have assisted many folks to fill out SSDI apps and sometimes it is a very small item that was overlooked by the medical experts that kicks out or delays the approval. If you have been on delay from SSA for 2 years, then you want to contact them and find out what the holdup for processing the determination might be.  Unfortunately it is usually the medical part and unless YOU find out, it might not get addressed.So---if there is no issue with the initial application process, a determination is usually made within about 6-12 weeks. If approved, you will start to receive a check the first month after you get notified.  Usually SSA wants you to have a direct deposit bank account set up so they can send you your monthly benefits.  Usually at that time they will also give you a lump sum payment.  This is for every month from the time you first applied until you are approved.  Most of the Folks I have worked with wind up receiving about 10 months worth of payments at one time.I have seen in other places on the net that people claim you can't have more than $2000.00 in assets on SSI or DI or you loose your subsidy.  While technically this is true, your SSDI lump sum payment DOES NOT COUNT. You do not have to "spend down" this money, since it was owed to you in the first place and is considered an underpayment. IF YOU ARE DENIED—ALWAYS APPEAL!  80% of denials are overturned on their second appeal.  If denied; appeal again. Overturns at this stage are approved over 90% of the time.  The other reason to always appeal no matter what you are applying for (or might already be receiving), is that you continue to receive the state or federal service until a FINAL determination is made. For example if you have lost your Medicare benefits and have appealed, the state is required to continue to provide service until that final determination.  Appeals can sometimes go on for a few years.   Last, if you continue to have trouble with the SSA, contact your local Center for Independent Living of CIL.  This is an advocacy organization that is run by and for people with disabilities and they can assist you in obtaining your SSDI or help you to fight to get it.  The CILs will do this free of charge to you and will never charge you a fee to act as an advocate on your behalf.  There are over 300 CILs country wide and you probably have one pretty close to where you live. Whew!! So much for the short answer---Good luck and keep up the good fight!Sincerely,Chris