I am ill with diabetes and qualify for disability but I have to wait for the process. Can I get anything in the mean time?

Yes, you can apply for "presumptive disability." When there is evidence that you will be found to be disabled, but more evidence is still needed to make a final determination, the Social Security Administration can grant you presumptive disability benefits while the final determination is pending. Once approved for presumptive disability, you will receive payments for up to 6 months while your SSI application is pending. You will need to meet all the non-medical requirements for SSI (low income, few assets).

Presumptive disability can be granted at a Social Security Field Office at the time you apply for benefits or by the state Disability Determination Services (DDS). If you are denied the presumptive disability at a Field Office, you can try again with the state Disability Determination Services. DDS representatives have much wider discretion in granting presumptive disability than the Field Office representatives.

If you are later denied SSI benefits, you do not have to repay the presumptive disability payments that you received unless you received overpayments for other reasons.