you sure know a lot about how welfare works
Actually, I know nothing about welfare due to a lack of experience.
What do I know about is Social Security and Medicare. My wife became disabled when she was 60. Because she retired early from her job, instead of going out on PERS disability, SSD said she wasn't disabled. 2 1/2 years later when she finally got her court date, she was wheelchair bound and on oxygen. The judge granted her full disability. SSD back paid her to the time she retired.
My sister has been on disability most of her adult life, following an auto accident which resulted in her being in a coma for about a month. She lost the use of the left side of her body and much of her ability to speak. She was in rehab for a very long time which resulted in her being able to regain some of what she lost, but she has never fully recovered. Despite her disabilties, she eventually found work at the Oregon DMV where she was employed for about 12 years until that program for the disabled was discontinued. Since that time she's been on PERS disability and SSD.
My son-in-law was medically boarded out of the army due to multiple injures, including PTSD. He did 3 tours in the Iraq and Afganistan. During his last tour an IED explosion caused him to suffer neurological damage. The Army, Department of Veteran's affairs and SSD rated him fully and permanently disabled. In spite of this he found work with the County. Unfortunately, the work aggravated the injury to his spine and he had no choice but to resign.
So I do have considerable secondhand experience with disability benefits. I have Zero experience with Welfare programs.