You said, "there was no way I could hold a steady job".
You didn't choose to go on disability, it happened to you. People today are choosing that it's better to just go on the dole than work for a living. That ain't you.
@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer Well,I WAS on disability and still am. At the time I was drawing 30 percent disability from the VA. Maybe YOU can live on that kind of money,but when your 70 dollar a month rent is a third of your monthly income,things are going to get tight while you wait for the next check to come in. I ate a lot of peanut butter on expired bread sandwiches back then. Paying 70 bucks a month rent including utilities for a furnished apartment in Denver in the mid-70's tells you I wasn't exactly living large before I lost my job for not showing up for work due to hospital appointments.
Having a job is ALWAYS better than not having a job. Even if your job sucks,you can be looking for a better one while continuing to work. Plus,it's easier to get a job if you can tell prospective employeers,"I have been working at XXX for a x years,but there are no raises and I need more money","I like working for xxx but I need more of a challenge",etc,etc,etc. Potential employers tend to give you the old fish eye if you tell them "I don't have a job now.",and want to know why.
Truth to tell,I LOVE working. True,I am probably not the biggest fan of office jobs you have never met,but I could usually manage to hold a office job long enough to find a real job. I was even taking dish washing jobs in restaurants when I was in my late 30's so I could get free meals and a paycheck until I could do better.
First time I ever got a job with paid vacation I took two weeks off to avoid losing the vacation time,and by the second week I was bored and looking in the help wanted ads for part time work.
Even now I have spent a BUNCH of money putting up a 1800 sq foot workshop with air,heat,full bath,and filling it with tools,antique cars,and car parts,just so I would have something to do when I feel good enough to do something. I feel better just knowing it is there so I can work when I am able to work. If I lose that,you might as well go ahead and shoot me and put me out of my misery.