Yep it really depends on your state. I live in Florida and was 5 years it takes forever.
@country I would do the first application online, they call you when you submit it to do an interview, you can go in for that or do it over the phone, I was flaring badly and did mine over the phone. You just fill out the forms and Social Security office gets med records etc. To my knowledge a note from your doc wont help, they look over your records and someone makes a call if you qualify or not. Then you have to appeal within 60 or 90 days if you disagree, thats when I got an attorney. Usually they will deny your second appeal fairly quickly. Thats when you go on the wait list for a judge. My attorney really came through at that hearing. I wouldnt go without an attorney. OH when you fill out the paperwork make sure you objectively state what your symptoms do to you, how it effects your daily life in plain language, don't try to dress it up in medical jargon.