4-6 months if things go REALLLY well for you. You CAN NOT expect to get a quick approval. It might happen. But you need to try and plan for the worst case scenario. You're young, and hopefully have very few bills. Reduce everything that isn't essential. Be ruthless with your budget. You might need to apply for food stamps, use public transportation, find roommates, apply for Medicaid, and so on. Refer to the Catch 22 stickie in the SSD section. Do you have any other relatives that would take you in?

Attorney's only get paid out of backpay, and many won't even take your case until after reconsideration has been denied. There are also non profit advocacy groups, and non-attorney SSDI advocates as well.

You need to gave your doc/s support of your application!!!