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The chances of getting approved for disability benefits are among the first things people want to know when applying for disability. Unfortunately, chances of your application being approved at the initial stage of the Social Security Disability process aren’t high, with only about 38% of claimants having their initial applications approved. However, more than 50% of applicants who appeal the denials get approved for disability benefits during an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing. Understanding why many claims are denied and the factors that influence your odds of success can help you take the right steps to increase your chances of winning disability benefits in Chicago.

You can get disability if you are unemployed in Chicago. You’ll need to prove that your disability prevents you from working and meet other eligibility requirements. Depending on how long you’ve been out of work, unemployment could affect your eligibility for SSDI benefits, for example, by leaving you with insufficient work credits. Below, you’ll learn more about how unemployment could impact your eligibility for disability benefits and your available options.

You can apply for disability more than once. There are no limits on the number of Social Security disability applications you can file in Chicago and the rest of Illinois. However, you can only reapply for disability benefits if you don’t have another claim open for the same type of benefits. Whether you should reapply for benefits depends on several factors, such as whether your condition has significantly changed since your previous application and the stage at which your previous claim was denied.

One of the top concerns of disability applicants is, “How much does disability pay?” The exact amount of disability payment you’ll receive will depend on factors like the kind of disability program you apply for, whether you have other income sources, the state you live in, your work history, and annual cost-of-living adjustments. How much disability benefits pay is unique for every beneficiary. Understanding these factors, learning how the Social Security Administration calculates disability benefits, and consulting a Social Security disability lawyer can help you establish how much disability payment amounts could be.

When you apply for Social Security disability benefits in Illinois, you may be eligible for substantial gainful activity exceptions. To receive SSDI benefits, your substantial gainful activity (SGA) from work activity or profit from earnings must be below the annual SGA limit the Social Security Administration allows.

If you live in Illinois and receive Social Security disability, you may wonder, “are SSDI benefits taxable?” In Illinois, state laws exclude SSDI benefits from taxation. In most states, SSDI benefits are not taxed if Social Security disability is your only source of income.

Can I work while receiving social security benefits? The Social Security Administration will look closely at the type of work you perform, your daily work routine, and your daily or weekly work hours to determine whether you are disabled. If you are still working and applying for Social Security disability benefits, your application may be denied.

What are ways to increase my SSDI benefits? Social Security Disability Insurance benefit payments are based on your earnings record, so increasing your SSDI benefits can be challenging. Strategies that might help include reviewing your SSA earnings record for accuracy, working below the SGA limits (to increase your lifetime earnings), and applying for additional benefits like SSI or state disability programs. Your benefits might also increase annually on their own, through COLA.

The definition of disability applies to SSDI and SSI benefits, but the eligibility requirements are different. Eligibility for SSDI benefits requires work history, work credits, and paid Social Security taxes. SSI benefits are for low-income individuals without a work history who are not eligible to apply for SSDI benefits.

If you suffer from stiff joints, limited mobility, and chronic pain, you may have arthritis. With a diagnosis from a licensed Chicago medical professional, you may qualify for disability for arthritis to cover expenses. Disability benefits will help you with your medical bills, loss of income, pain management, mobility aids, and home healthcare.