Settlement is from medical malpractice suit. Just waiting for a couple final things, everybody agrees they screwed up and so I don't have to fight for it. I'm hoping once I pay my bills, get a new-to-me car and a few things around the house, like a new bed, I'll have $100K-ish. But I'm still waiting to see exactly. It's enough to put a down on a house where I live, and afford the house payment on what I make *if* I'm working.

I didn't mean to say it would be easy, just easier than, well, a lot of other cases as I'd be able to prove it by a gene test and horribly curled up hands (if it gets that far). I have been on short term disability before. I know I could live off that, but not SSDI. Can my employer add it to my benefits and that would allow me to qualify? I guess I need to talk to an insurance agent.

I'll check out the USDA loan thing. I looked briefly and would qualify at their mid-income level. It would just be finding a house in an area that is close enough to my support system.