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.

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.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict filing requirements for disability benefits whether you apply for SSDI online, by mail, by phone, or in person at a local field office in Chicago. If you do not submit the required information, or you submit your application with incorrect information, your claim for disability benefits will be delayed or denied.

Are there age restrictions for applying for SSDI benefits? SSDI benefits are available to persons with disabilities who have earned sufficient work credits, regardless of age. While age is not a factor in determining eligibility for SSDI benefits, applicants must meet other eligibility requirements. Age may qualify individuals who are unable to work for other benefit programs, such as SSI benefits.

Applying for SSDI can be a complicated and lengthy process due to state and federal filing requirements, eligibility for benefits, mandatory waiting times, and denied claims. Once you have applied, it takes about 90 days to receive a decision from the Social Security Administration whether your claim is accepted or denied.

Filing a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance is a complicated process due to strict federal regulations and a lengthy approval process. Many disability applicants experience denied claims, mandatory waiting periods, and accrued SSDI back pay, which often create financial hardship for the applicant and family members.

Many Social Security disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration due to missing or incorrect information and lack of proper evidence. If your claim results in a disability claim denial, you have 60 days from your denial notification date to hire a SSDI attorney and file an appeal with the Social Security Administration.

Social Security disability claims are complicated and lengthy due to the federal regulations imposed by the Social Security Administration and the paperwork that is required to show proof of a disability. To simplify the filing process and increase your chances of claim approval, it’s important to know how to find a good disability lawyer who has experience with Social Security disability claims.