How to File for Social Security Disability Benefits in Illinois

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two federal programs that provide cash payments to people who aren't able to work due to a medical condition. While the rules about who is and isn't considered disabled are the same across the country, statistics on who gets approved and how long it takes vary from state to state.

For example, in Illinois, around 349,282 residents between the ages of 18 and 64 receive SSDI or SSI. That's about 4.6% of the state's population, or slightly less than the national average of 5.2%. If you intend to file for disability in Illinois, you can strengthen your claim by becoming familiar with state-specific information in addition to the federal Social Security disability determination process.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability in Illinois

Applying for SSDI or SSI benefits is a fairly straightforward process. You can do any of the following:

• File online using Social Security's electronic application tool.
• Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security representative from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
• Visit your nearest Social Security field office.

For more comprehensive details, including what personal information you should have on hand when you apply, check out our article on filing a disability claim with Social Security.

Which Disability Program Should I Apply For?

SSDI and SSI—also referred to as Title II and Title XVI—are the two types of disability benefits provided by Social Security. Although the agency's definition of disability is the same for both programs, each benefit has its own preliminary eligibility criteria ("technical qualifications") that you must satisfy in order to legally receive payment.

For SSDI, this means having enough work credits to be insured under the program on the date you became disabled. (Work credits are earned by paying into the program through payroll or self-employment taxes.) SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based benefit available to people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You can file for both programs and let Social Security figure out which ones you qualify for, but you must be financially eligible to receive at least one of the two benefits.

What Conditions Qualify for Disability in Illinois?

Any severe impairment may qualify you for disability benefits, provided that you have enough medical evidence to show that you either meet a listing or are unable to work at any job. In Illinois, some of the most commonly awarded impairments are mental illnesses (such as anxiety or depression), musculoskeletal conditions (like back pain), and nervous system disorders (for example, diabetic neuropathy).

The chart below illustrates the percentage of SSDI recipients in Illinois who were found disabled based on the most commonly awarded medical conditions.

_{Source: Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2023}

For more information, check out our article on what conditions qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Who Makes the Disability Determination?

After your Social Security field office gets your application, they'll first make sure that you meet the technical qualifications to receive benefits. Your file is then passed on to a claims examiner at the Illinois Disability Determination Services (DDS), who reviews your records with help from a medical consultant and decide whether you're disabled.

In recent years, the average time it takes for examiners at Illinois DDS to make an initial disability determination is 189.8 days, or a little over six months. (Source: Staffing, Productivity, and Processing Times at State Disability Determination Services, July 2025.) If you have questions about the status of your claim, you can call the Illinois DDS hotline at 800-225-3607.

What Are My Chances of Getting Disability in Illinois?

Statistically, Illinois DDS approves 38.6% of disability applications at the initial level, in line with the national average of 38.3%. Illinois residents who aren't awarded benefits on their first try are approved following reconsideration (the next stage of review by a DDS examiner) 15.3% of the time, again closely following the national average of 15.9%.

If you're denied again after reconsideration, you'll have to request a disability hearing if you want to continue seeking benefits. For the fiscal year ending July 2025, administrative law judges across Illinois issued 10,936 decisions on disability claims. 5,907 of those decisions resulted in either fully or partially favorable outcomes, resulting in an approval rate of about 54%

How Do I Appeal a Disability Decision in Illinois?

As you can see from the above statistics, Illinois disability claimants have their best chance at getting benefits at the hearing level. But you can't go directly to the judge to make your case—you'll need to receive DDS denials at both the initial and reconsideration stages. After receiving each denial letter, you have 60 days to submit your appeal. Many claimants choose to submit the appeal online using Social Security's appeal portal. (For more information on the appeals process, check out our article on what to do if you're denied disability benefits.)

Once you've submitted your hearing request, your claim is transferred from Illinois DDS over to one of the six Social Security Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) locations that serve the state. OHO staff will then schedule your hearing in front of an administrative law judge, which in Illinois takes on average seven months. You can find the contact information for the OHOs below.

During the hearing, you'll have the opportunity to tell the judge why you think you're disabled. You'll also be expected to answer questions from the judge about your activities of daily living. While disability judges occasionally tell you whether they'll approve your claim at the hearing (known as a "bench decision,") it's much more likely you'll receive a written decision in the mail about six weeks or so after the hearing has ended.

If you get an unfavorable decision, you can request review of the decision by the Appeals Council. And if the Appeals Council declines to review your case, you can file a lawsuit in federal district court. But because few disability claims are successful at these higher levels of appeal, it's a good idea to first contact an attorney who can advise you on how to proceed.

How Much Is Disability in Illinois?

Because SSDI and SSI are federal benefits, the amount you'll receive doesn't change from state to state. SSDI payments are particularly tailored to each beneficiary since they're calculated based on your individual earnings record, which can vary significantly between each person. Below is a chart showing the distribution of SSDI benefit amounts for Illinois residents:

_{Source: Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2023}

SSI payments are set annually by the federal government at a flat monthly rate ($967 in 2025) that's decreased if you have additional income. The Illinois government provides a state supplement called "Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD)" in addition to the monthly federal payment. Illinois determines the amount of your AABD cash supplement by looking at your expenses and income. Any monthly maintenance costs—meaning what you spend on rent, food, and utilities—are subtracted from the amount of your SSI payment, plus any other income you have. If your maintenance costs are higher than your SSI payment and your income combined, Illinois will give you additional amounts for food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and more.

To learn more about AABD, you can call the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)—the state agency that administers AABD payments— at 800-843-6154 (TTY 866-324-5553) or find your closest IDHS office using the locator tool. When you're ready, you can apply for AABD benefits online.

What Vocational Rehabilitation Services Are Available in Illinois?

If you're interested in obtaining vocational rehab services, the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services has resources aimed at helping disabled people get back into the workforce. For example, the Supported Employment Program works to place disabled employees with non-disabled employees in a wide variety of jobs so that they can be integrated, not isolated, from their community. And the Home Services Program can help people with severe disabilities live at home independently. You can apply for these services by filling out the online form.

Short-Term Disability in Illinois

Social Security doesn't award temporary disability benefits for medical conditions that last for less than one year. If you're expecting to return to work within the year and you have private short-term disability coverage, you might consider filing a claim with your insurer instead of applying for Social Security benefits.

Most employer-provided short-term disability insurance will pay you a certain percentage of your average wages for a time (typically weeks or months) due to an illness or injury you incurred off the job. For more information, check out our article on preparing and filing your short-term disability claim.

How Can I Get Help with My Social Security Disability Claim?

The laws, rules, and procedures for applying for Social Security disability can be difficult for SSDI or SSI claimants to navigate on their own. Many applicants choose to hire experienced disability attorneys, especially if they've been denied benefits already. If you need to appeal a denial, it usually makes sense to talk to a disability lawyer who can help strengthen your claim and increase your chances of winning,

If you're worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer—as many disability claimants are— it may help to know that disability attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning they don't get paid unless and until you win your claim. Many also offer free consultations, so it doesn't hurt to ask around until you find a lawyer who's a good fit for you.