Part of the reason for your denial was likely due to your not having recent medical records. Having the support of your doctor/s to apply for SSDI will not guarantee approval, but without that support it sure can make approval more difficult.

If you can qualify for Medicaid, apply asap. If you have too many assets, than I would recommend investing in insurance--even if it means selling non-essentials (like a vehicle) or liquidate an IRA, etc.

Request that the Voc Rehab Counselor provide you with a letter, if at all possible, stating your limitations from your disability mad it impossible for her to find any type of work which you could manage. (Did you supply anything from her to SS btw? Did she do any testing? Send you to any doctors?)

Did you provide SS with the report from the factory doc?

Have you asked your friend if he would provide a letter to SS stating he needed to terminate you due to your declining health?

Were you receiving Unemployment when you applied? Depending on the state you live in, there maybe a conflict doing both at the same time.

Most importantly, file a timely appeal.