The Social Security definition of disabled is that you have a condition either mental or physical that will prevent you from performing substantial gainful employment for 12 months or more or is expected to result in death. The current definition of substantial, gainful employment is $1070 per month. If your condition(s) prevent you from earning that much then, no, it wouldn't hurt. If your condition has improved to a point where you could earn more, you could still be approved for a closed period of eligibility. The easy explanation of that is you wouldn't be eligible for ongoing, monthly benefits, just a lump sum for the months you were considered disabled.