Cook County SSDI and SSI Approval Rates Lawyer

Attorney for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Chicago

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and have the same medical requirements for approval. The main difference between the two programs is the technical requirements for qualification.

For SSDI benefits, there are certain financial requirements, and you must have worked a certain number of quarters (depending on your age) to qualify. For SSI, it makes no difference how long you have worked to pay into the system, but there are certain income and asset requirements for qualification. After an application meets the initial technical requirements, the SSDI and SSI approval rates are similar. With both programs, the vast majority of applicants are denied benefits. However, chances are greatly improved when you work with a skilled Social Security Disability attorney.

Pearson Disability Law, LLC was founded with the singular mission of helping clients navigate the lengthy and tedious Social Security Disability application process and secure successful outcomes in their cases. Managing attorney Jonathan L. Pearson has helped thousands of individuals in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois gain approval for the benefits they deserve. Mr. Pearson has dedicated his entire legal career to disability law and is a member of both the Chicago Bar Association and National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR). He handles each case personally and on a contingency basis so you never have to pay upfront attorney fees to receive the skilled representation you deserve.

SSDI and SSI Approval Rates in Illinois

After you have applied for Social Security Disability benefits and your application has been referred to a local Illinois disability examiner, you can expect to wait several months to over a year for a disability determination. The only exception is if you qualify for a compassionate allowance, in which case your application is expedited and a decision may come within a matter of weeks.

Each case is unique, and processing times and approval rates depend on several factors; including how complete and thorough your application is, the backlog of cases in the local office it goes through, how quickly you respond to follow up requests from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the strength of your evidence of a total disability. If you are over the age of 50, your chances of being approved for disability benefits may be a bit higher.

The general average for Illinois SSDI and SSI approval rates are as follows:

• Initial application: 32%;
• Request for reconsideration: 11%; and
• Administrative law judge hearing: 55%.

Claimants have the best chance of approval when their case is heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). An ALJ hearing is similar to a court trial wherein evidence is presented and your case is decided based on the strength of the legal arguments. For this reason, your chances of success are far greater when you have an experienced advocate at your hearing to help present your case.

The SSDI and SSI program rate and limits for 2019 can be found on the SSA website.

Mr. Pearson has argued numerous cases before ALJs throughout Chicago and Illinois thoroughly understands the process and what needs to be done to secure a positive outcome. Whatever stage you are in your Social Security Disability benefits application, he can help guide your case to a successful conclusion. Contact our office today at 312-999-0999 for a free consultation.