Finally got approved- I’m actually crying

I just found out I got approved for SSI! After what has been the longest 10 months of my life, it’s finally over. Thank you to everyone on this page for all the information and support, I wouldn’t have known how to get through this process without it. I can’t believe I’m going to be able to afford my basic expenses without checking my bank account constantly. And right in time for the holidays so I’m going to be able to afford gifts for my family this year. I feel so blessed and beyond grateful.

Here’s my experience with it all if anyone is interested: around 11 months ago I became homeless due to not being able to work more than 10 hours a week. About a month in I decided to apply for SSI in hopes I could maybe be able to afford a place to live. I was told by people in my life that it would be extremely hard for me to get approved as I was only 19 and had only ever had one mental health hospitalization (I was applying for mental health). This made me discouraged but I really didn’t have a choice unless I wanted to be homeless forever. I applied at the SSA office for my initial application. About a month later I got a letter saying I was denied. I expected this as a lot of people get denied the first time so I decided to appeal. I had someone help me fill out the appeal as I thought I may have messed it up the first time with how fast it got denied. 3 weeks later I found out I was denied again. Super disappointed at this point and was going to just give up but someone convinced me to keep trying. Sometime after this denial, before my next appeal, I was able to get an apartment after 6 months of being homeless. I know the timeline seems weird but I waited a long time between both appeals. After I got my apartment, I was only able to get to work 5 hours a week due to transportation issues so I was still needing additional income. I got a lawyer at this point and put in my 2nd appeal. At this point my lawyer found out they never scanned in my entire appeal so that could explain why I got denied so quickly the 2nd time. I had to wait a few months for my hearing but finally had it 2 weeks ago. I felt like I did terrible at the hearing because I was so intimidated by the judge that I couldn’t get any of my important information to come out of my mouth. I did however get enough out for the vocational expert to say he couldn’t find me a job. At this point I was absolutely convinced I was going to get denied again. My lawyer had said it was the toughest judge in the area and he denied good cases all the time. And with me doing so bad at the hearing I thought that would seal the deal. I was debating on giving up at this point. Well today, my lawyer emailed me and told me I was approved and the letter should come in the mail soon. I couldn’t believe it! I’m finally going to be financially stable for the first time since moving out of my parent’s house. It’s such a relief to finally be approved.