The Department of Government Efficiency has implemented changes to the Social Security Administration (SSA), including office closures and staff reductions. These reforms aim to streamline operations, but have raised concerns about their impact on the approximately 74 million Americans who receive these benefits.

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.