i filed in May 05, went through the thing of being denied twice, got a good lawyer. that is very true about getting that letter from your pdoc. i got one that my pdoc signed & my therapist. i was so nervous when i went in front of the judge last Monday Dec.4. he was a hard judge also. now im in the process of waiting for my backpay. i dont know how it will work with my hubbys income & taxes. my dad gets ssd for mental illness & they dont tax his nor does he get a return anymore. but my hubby said he heard if his income + my ssd it might be very taxable income. im 32, when i filed i was 31 & i felt so weird applying for it in my 30s. but after God led me to the pdoc & therapist i go to now who actually care i realized i had real mental illness. it all came together for me Praise the Lord! please dont give up. i know its very frustrating & i cant imagine how it must be being on your own & waiting forever. before i had my actual hearing i had a prehearing meeting with my lawyer & his paralegal. i live in wv & i dont really know how long it will take to get my final letter of approval so i can take it to the ss office. just please dont give up cuz i think they do all this red tape stuff to see how bad you really want it & need it. im so thankful the Lord has blessed me with mine.