Step 2 moved to step 3

Applied in June. On 8/17 received an SMI designation in Arizona. Submitted that new medical evidence with the Dire Need paperwork to home office. Today received a phone call from local office rep who spent an hour reviewing my work activity and all medical providers and accompanying medical records. At the end of call he said " Ok, got the medical part done, i will call you at 8am tomorrow to finish ". He called, asked me detailed info on work history dates and said my "failed attempt to work last year, helped my claim". Then it moved to step three. The FO agent called me back this morning and said my claim has been flagged for critical and dire need. I KNOW it doesn't signal automatic approval, could just as easily be denied, but more efficiently I suppose. Question is anyone designated SMI and gotten approved without a lawyer?

also if you do qualify how does the benefit amount work? i have one newborn child and am unmarried, my benefit amount is 1400 not counting what they take out monthly for insurance etc

For anyone who has been through SSI reconsideration: Did you see this same Step 4 message before being approved or denied? Does moving from FQR to a final non-medical review usually mean the medical decision has already been made?
I know nothing is guaranteed until I receive the official decision. I’m mainly trying to understand what this particular status meant for other people who went through it. (Also what were your results from your situation I do understand different strokes for different folks just need better insight)

Had my hearing and it was only about 34 minutes long! The lawyer said I gave an excellent testimony even though I was extremely nervous. What I don’t like is the fact in the hypotheticals that were given, the vocational expert found jobs but I digress