Tit is right Doc... the hubby went thru this before I met him with a broken back... first you have to go to welfare and then on to Federal disability. (Have to apply for the disability right away) in order for welfare to allow you in. Fing an attorney that specializes in disability and hr can prevent you from being thrown out of your home and all of that good stuff. They work on the pay when you get your disability payments started. That is retroactive to the date you first applied for it. It's called SSI from the social security offices. They WILL put you thru the mill with doctors but it's a live saver. That also qualifies you for whatever your state offers for retraining.
The old man has since told the SSI office to go to heck and makes more now than they paid even tho he got the highest pay they offered (1800 per month). But the bottom line is they are there to help you thru these things.
YOU pay for it to be there so use it!