how to apply for disability benefits in illinois

How to Apply for Disability in Illinois

• Completing The Application. Before you start an application, you’ll need to decide which type of disability benefits you want to apply for.
• Sending your Application for Review. ...
• Waiting for a Decision. ...
• Appealing A Decision. ...
• Contact the Disability Specialists at Jeffrey A. ...

Full Answer

When should I apply for disability benefits?

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you are unable to work for at least one year.

What happens if I file for disability benefits?

You may be eligible for CPP disability benefits if:

• you contributed to the CPP for a certain number of years
• you're under 65 years old
• you have a severe and prolonged mental or physical disability
• your disability prevents you from working on a regular basis

What are the qualifications for disability in Illinois?

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

How do I know if I am eligible for disability benefits?

One can determine whether or not they're eligible for Social Security disability benefits if they think that they might meet a medical listing. There are also 100 compassionate allowance listings that are listed by statute, and if you fall under one of those maladies, then you can be easily accepted.

What do you have to do to qualify for disability in Illinois?

To become eligible for SSDI disability benefits, you must have insured status. To have this insured status, you must have worked long enough and recently enough before your disability. If you are age 31 or older, in general, you need to have worked for 5 of the last 10 years. SSA counts work credits.

How much does disability pay in Illinois?

In Illinois, you can expect to receive up to $771 per month in federal SSI payments as a single individual or $1,157 for couples.

How hard is it to get disability in Illinois?

Level I: Disability Application - In a typical year, more than 71 percent of individuals filing an application for disability in Illinois will be denied on their initial claim, or disability application.

What conditions are considered a disability?

The legal definition of “disability” states that a person can be considered disabled if they are unable to perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medical or physical impairment or impairments which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of ...

How long does it take to get approved for disability in Illinois?

approximately 4-5 monthsIf you apply for Social Security or SSI disability in Illinois, Social Security will send you a written decision on your claim in approximately 4-5 months. Approximately 37% of those who apply for disability in Illinois are approved for disability benefits without having to appeal.

How long does it take to receive disability in Illinois?

Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.

What should you not say in a disability interview?

Making Statements That Can Hurt Your Claim – Unless you are specifically asked pertinent questions, do not talk about alcohol or drug use, criminal history, family members getting disability or unemployment, or similar topics. However, if you are asked directly about any of those topics, answer them truthfully.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

How can I increase my chances of getting disability?

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Disability BenefitsFile Your Claim as Soon as Possible. ... Make an Appeal within 60 Days. ... Provide Full Details of Medical Treatment. ... Provide Proof of Recent Treatment. ... Report your Symptoms Accurately. ... Provide Medical Evidence. ... Provide Details of your Work History.More items...•

What are 4 hidden disabilities?

The four most common types of hidden disabilities are:Autoimmune Diseases. In most people, the body's immune system protects them from invaders like bacteria and viruses. ... Mental Health Conditions. ... Neurological Disorders. ... Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders.

What are the top 5 disabilities?

Top 5 Disabling Conditions that Receive Disability Benefits1) Arthritis. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children are documented to have some form of arthritis. ... 2) Degenerative Disc Disease. ... 3) Cancer. ... 4) Paralysis. ... 5) Parkinson's Disease. ... Contacting a Social Security Attorney.

What is the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

SSDI payments range on average between $800 and $1,800 per month. The maximum benefit you could receive in 2020 is $3,011 per month. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits.

How to File For Disability in Illinois

There are a few different ways to file for Social Security disability benefits in Illinois. You can: 1. visit your local Social Security Administra...

Appealing A Disability Decision in Illinois

If you apply for Social Security or SSI disability in Illinois, you will receive a written decision on your claim in approximately 3-4 months. Appr...

Illinois SSI Supplemental Payment

Illinois residents who are awarded SSI may be eligible for an additional payment from the state of Illinois, called the state supplemental payment...

Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Illinois

If you are interested in obtaining vocational rehab services to help you return to work, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Rehabilita...

Getting Help With Your Illinois Social Security Disability Claim

The laws, rules, and procedures of applying for Social Security disability in Illinois can be difficult for a disabled worker to navigate on their...

How much money can I get for disability in Illinois?

The SSI program screens every Illinois disability applicant for financial purposes. First, you cannot receive more than $1,260/month to qualify for SSI. This includes any money you get on a monthly basis, not just your work earnings. The SSA looks for things like alimony, child support payments, savings account interest, etc. Next, they’ll look at how much you currently have in your bank account. If your balance is more than $2,000, the SSI program won’t approve you for Illinois disability benefits. Then, the SSA looks for other countable assets that may push you over that $2,000 limit. Anything you can sell easily for cash goes into that category, such as jewelry, stocks, bonds, etc. Things the SSA won’t count towards your total asset limit include:

How long does it take to get SSDI in Illinois?

Actual wait times vary, but each SSDI application takes about 3-5 months to process. Federal law enforces a five-month waiting period before any applicant can receive monthly SSDI benefits. If you’re out of work for five or more months before you apply, you can skip that wait time. Just don’t wait too long to file your SSDI claim for Illinois disability benefits! Want to double your chances for approval the first time you apply? Have an attorney file your application. Legally, an Illinois disability attorney can’t charge you anything unless the SSA grants you benefits. Right now, SSDI claims take 536 days to process, on average.

What About Temporary or Short-Term Illinois Disability Benefits?

Unfortunately, no government program pays short-term or temporar y disability benefits in Illinois. (However, you may have employer-provided coverage as part of your benefits package or purchase a private plan before becoming disabled.) But that’s okay! Government programs aren’t the only way injured or sick people can get enough money to live on. See if anything below may apply to you:

How old do you have to be to get SSI in Illinois?

Unless you wait until your 65th birthday to apply, you must be blind or disabled to qualify for SSI. You’ll need convincing medical evidence to prove your SSI claim qualifies for Illinois disability benefits. In most cases, a DDS doctor must examine you to confirm you meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled.” But if you’re already 65 or older, your age alone means you’ll pass this screening question. If that applies to you, you don’t need to gather any medical records first. Your SSI application for Illinois disability benefits should be enough.

How many people in Illinois are on SSDI?

More than 2.5 million people in Illinois — or 1 in 5 residents — are currently aged 50-64. Those are prime years for collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits! However, just 2.2% collected Illinois disability through the federal SSDI program in 2018. Another 1.8% received Illinois disability payments from the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. If you can’t work for at least 12 months due to health problems, you might also qualify for Illinois disability. We’ll explain how to apply, eligibility rules and payment amounts for both programs below.

What is the second federal program for Illinois?

There’s a second federal program that pays Illinois disability benefits to people who cannot meet all SSDI requirements. Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is designed to help poor people who are blind, disabled or age 65 and up.

How to double your chances of getting disability in Illinois?

Want to double your chance for getting Illinois disability benefits the first time you apply? Have a lawyer file your claim! A Social Security attorney charges nothing up front for professional legal assistance. Federal law says the SSA must approve any legal fees your attorney wants to charge before you pay. That’s because all Illinois disability lawyers work on contingency. For this reason, you cannot owe any fees until after your claim’s approved for Illinois disability benefits. So, you won’t pay a dime unless your case wins. And if you do win, you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.

How to apply for disability in Illinois?

There are a few different ways to file for Social Security disability benefits in Illinois. You can: 1 visit your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. The SSA's office locator can help you find the location nearest to you. 2 telephone the SSA at (800)772-1213. A customer service representative can make an appointment for you to apply in person or via telephone. 3 visit www.ssa.gov and apply for disability benefits online. (Note: you can only apply for SSDI, not SSI, online.)

What to do if you are denied disability benefits in Illinois?

If you've been denied benefits and need to appeal, it makes sense to talk to a disability lawyer, who can increase your chances of winning your appeal. You can use our lawyer locator below to contact an Illinois disability lawyer. Updated September 30, 2019. Talk to a Disability Lawyer.

How long does it take to appeal a disability claim in Illinois?

To appeal a Social Security disability denial in Illinois, you need to complete a "Request for Reconsideration" form and submit this to the SSA within 65 days of the date on your denial letter.

What is SSDI in Illinois?

While Social Security disability ( SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal benefit programs that provide cash payments to those who are unable to work, there is some specific information that you should know if you intend to file for disability in Illinois.

How to apply for Social Security in person?

visit your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. The SSA's office locator can help you find the location nearest to you. telephone the SSA at (800)772-1213. A customer service representative can make an appointment for you to apply in person or via telephone.

How to contact the SSA?

telephone the SSA at (800)772-1213. A customer service representative can make an appointment for you to apply in person or via telephone.

Where are disability appeals held in Illinois?

Disability appeal hearings in Illinois are held at the SSA's Offices of Hearing Operations (OHO). These offices were formerly known as Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Below is the contact information for Illinois's OHO offices.

How old do you have to be to apply for disability?

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and. Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.

What is a copy of Social Security?

A copy of your Social Security Statement. The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs.

What is the actual process of determining if an individual is disabled and qualifies for disability benefits?

What is the actual process of determining if an individual is disabled and qualifies for disability benefits? After a disability claim is transferred from the Social Security office where it has been taken, it is sent to a state DDS, or disability determination services agency, where it becomes part of a disability examiner's caseload.

How do disability examiners approve a claim?

The first is by reviewing the medical evidence and determining that the claimant has a medical condition that satisfies a listing. A listing is simply a medical condition, physical or mental, that is contained, or listed, in the SSA list of disabling impairments, which in printed form is known as the blue book.

How many disability appeals are denied?

While, on average, 70 percent of applications are denied, the rate of denial for the first appeal is usually much higher.

What is disability in SSA?

According to the SSA definition of disability, a disability exists when a condition, or set of conditions, lasts for this minimum length and presents this level of severity.

Why are disability claims not approved?

Most claims, of course, will not be approved on the basis of a listing due to the fact that the approval criteria is very specific, often more specific than the information that can be extracted from the claimant's medical records. Possibly 20-25 percent of disability approvals are made on the basis of a listing.

What is a blue book in SSA?

A listing is simply a medical condition, physical or mental, that is contained, or listed, in the SSA list of disabling impairments, which in printed form is known as the blue book.

Where is the Social Security hearing?

1. The hearing will take place at an ODAR - Social Security Disability and SSI hearings are conducted at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Depending on the size of the state, there may be one or several hearings offices. For some claimants, getting to a hearing office may pose some difficulty if they lack transportation, or are physically unable to drive.

How long does a severe disability last?

Medical determination of a diagnosed, severe disability, which is expected to last for 12 months or for the duration of life

How to contact DHS office?

Local offices can be found using DHS Office Locator  Or Call: 1-800-843-6154 ( #3 on menu) or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY)

What is HFS in Illinois?

Illinois Healthcare and Family Service (HFS), the State Medicaid Agency

When will I get my ALS disability?

There is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020. We pay Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.

What is a disability starter kit?

The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.

How long is the waiting period for SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date we decide your disability began. There is no waiting period if your disability results ...

What is the Blue Book of Social Security Disability?

Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (Also known as The Blue Book) - Medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims

What is the number to call for a deaf person?

People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

How to apply for disability benefits?

You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in one of the following ways:

What information do I need to apply for SSDI?

You will need to give SSA information about: You. Your past work and education. Your medical conditions and treatment, including conditions that affect your ability to function. It is important to get medical treatment if you want to apply for SSDI or SSI. No matter how sick you are, you will need medical evidence of your condition ...

What is the SSA disability process?

SSA has developed a fast-track application process for diseases or conditions clearly meets SSA's standard for disability. Examples include acute leukemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), and pancreatic cancer.

How long after asylum is granted can you get assistance?

Asylees may be eligible for assistance up to 8 months after the date asylum is granted. People who qualify for RRP Cash Assistance also get Medicaid health care coverage. People who qualify for TANF or AABD cash assistance do not qualify for RRP cash assistance. Learn more about Cash Assistance.

Who qualifies for AABD?

Low-income seniors age 65 or older, people who are blind, and people who have a permanent disability may qualify for AABD Cash Assistance. AABD is short for Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled. People who qualify for AABD cash assistance also get Medicaid health care coverage.

Does Medicaid cover all kids in Illinois?

Medicaid and All Kids cover health care for low income people of all ages in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services (HFS) is committed to improving the health of Illinois' families by providing access to quality health care. This mission is accomplished through HFS Medical Programs that pay for a wide range of health services, provided by thousands of medical providers throughout Illinois, to about two million Illinoisans each year.

What to do before completing a child disability report?

TIP: Before completing the Child Disability Report, use our Child Disability Starter Kit to get answers to commonly asked questions about applying for SSI. The kit also includes a worksheet that will help you gather the information you need.

What is SSI for kids?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children. SSI provides monthly cash payments to help meet the basic needs of children who have a physical or mental disability or who are blind. If you care for a child or teenager with a disability, and have limited income and savings or other resources, your child may be eligible for SSI.

How long does a disability last?

The condition (s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. A state agency makes the disability decision. They review the information you give us. They will also ask for information from medical and school sources and other people familiar with the child’s condition (s).

What happens if the state agency needs more information?

If the state agency needs more information, they may arrange an examination or test for the child, which we will pay for.

Can a child get SSI at 18?

Children under age 18 can get SSI if they meet Social Security's definition of disability for children and there are limited income and resources in the household . Social Security defines a disability as: The child must have a physical or mental condition (s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and.