SEXY - I have a few things for you to consider.
You mentioned that your mom had an accident. Was the accident work-related? (Even if was in a car, if it was used in the course of her employment or they paid for milage to and from work, or if it was a company car) she would be eligible for worker's comp. Worker's compensation provides a cash benefit (In NY it's indefinite, in NJ it's for a finite period) based on a percentage of the amount she was earning per week, up to a statutory maximum amount. (In NY the maximum is 400 per week even if you were earning a million dollars a year)
If it was not work-related, is there a lawsuit involved?
Does she currently have medical insurance?
When the doctor refered to disability did he refer to medical disability or legal disability?
Is the disability permenant or temporary?
Is your mom eligible for social security disability benefits (a cash benefit) or medicare (medical coverage for those over 65) or medicaid (medical coverage based on income)?
If it's a permenant condition and she has enough qualifying work periods, she can apply for SSDB which would automatically entitle her to medicare (after a certain waiting period).
If her condition is temporary, her remedy is likely to be state disability. Unfortunately it's a very low benefit rate and has no medical coverage.
If she has very limited assets she may qualify for SSI (Suplemental Security Income)as well.
Finally, if she was fired from her job b/c of her inability to do it b/c of her disability, she should pursue disability benefits. If she can work and is looking for work she can first look to file for unemployment insurance benefits which pays at a higher rate than state disability benefits.
She cannot collect UI and state DB simultaneously. She cannot collect WC and UI simultaneously. She can collect SS and WC and SSI simultaneously.
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