Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
Illinois Social Security Disability Claims
Illinois has the tenth-highest number of Social Security Disability Insurance recipients nationwide, with more than 231,000 people receiving benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a lifeline for people who can no longer work due to a disabling condition. It provides monthly payments that allow them to live more independent lives.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability in Illinois
You can apply for SSDI online, over the phone, or at Illinois Social Security field offices. To submit your application, take the following steps:
- Gather all required documentation for your application.
- Schedule an appointment at a local office, call (800) 772-1213, or start an application online.
- Wait for a decision. In Illinois, the average wait time for an initial decision is 90 days.
- If approved, the local SSA office will advise you on the amount of your monthly payments and when to expect your first check.
- If denied, you have 60 days to file an appeal.
- Consider hiring a lawyer to help you throughout the process.
Illinois SSDI Eligibility Requirements
In Illinois, the state’s Bureau of Disability Determination Services, a division of the Illinois Department of Human Services, administers SSDI claims. While the bureau makes the initial determination on your SSDI, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s national disability criteria to qualify for benefits.
Below is the contact information for local offices across Illinois.
Chicago
| Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| 2127 W Lawrence Ave | (877) 409-8426 | (833) 950-2806 |
| 3260 W Fullerton Ave | (888) 456-9540 | (833) 950-3113 |
| 4631 S Ashland Ave | (877) 897-0608 | (833) 902-2646 |
| 4849 N Milwaukee Ave Ste 60 | (888) 748-7667 | (833) 950-3433 |
| 5130 West North Ave | (866) 614-4761 | (833) 950-2804 |
| 605 W Washington Blvd | (866) 563-3899 | (833) 787-1783 |
| 6338 S Cottage Grove Ave | (888) 397-3107 | (833) 950-3435 |
| 9443 S Western Ave | (877) 409-8427 | (833) 950-2808 |
| 9715 S Cottage Grove Ave | (888) 397-3107 | (833) 950-3435 |
Chicagoland
| City | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 1325 N Lake St | (877) 274-5412 | (833) 950-3109 |
| Bloomingdale | 230 W Lake St | (877) 845-1577 | (833) 950-3451 |
| Chicago Heights | 104 S Halsted St | (877) 274-5413 | (833) 950-3111 |
| Elgin | 790 Fletcher Dr Ste 100 | (877) 405-0435 | (833) 950-3437 |
| Evanston | 2116 Green Bay Rd | (888) 371-0791 | (833) 950-3101 |
| Hillside | 230 N Mannheim Rd | (866) 964-6290 | (833) 950-3099 |
| Joliet | 552 Houbolt Rd | (866) 783-7302 | (833) 950-2796 |
| Mount Prospect | 705 N Wheeling Rd | (866) 931-8350 | (833) 950-3733 |
| North Riverside | 7222 W Cermak Rd Rm 600 | (888) 518-0226 | (833) 950-3097 |
| Palos Hills | 10718 S Roberts Rd | (877) 405-4568 | (833) 950-3059 |
| Waukegan | 1930 N Lewis Ave | (888) 320-0960 | (833) 950-2510 |
| Woodridge | 7440 Providence Dr | (866) 303-2724 | (833) 950-2770 |
Northern Illinois
| City | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | 4 E Linden St | (855) 628-1591 | (833) 950-3447 |
| Quincy | 2401 Lind St | (888) 279-5999 | (833) 950-2508 |
| Rock Island | 2350 4th Ave | (866) 414-9166 | (833) 950-2506 |
| Rockford | 502 E Jefferson St | (877) 628-6570 | (833) 950-2800 |
| Sterling | 3512 E Lincolnway Ste C | (866) 789-1093 | (833) 950-3443 |
| Woodstock | 2450 Lake Shore Dr | (877) 405-7828 | (833) 950-3063 |
Central Illinois
| City | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 207 N Williamsburg Dr | (877) 405-4640 | (833) 950-3107 |
| Champaign | 101 S Country Fair Dr | (877) 819-2593 | (833) 950-2810 |
| Danville | 400 N Vermilion St | (866) 331-5394 | (833) 950-2794 |
| Decatur | 606 W Pershing Rd | (888) 619-4773 | (833) 950-3105 |
| Galesburg | 2060 Windish Dr | (866) 414-9166 | (833) 950-3103 |
| Kankakee | 630 E Oak St | (855) 807-8801 | (833) 950-3439 |
| Pekin | 2801 Broadway St | (877) 405-0499 | (833) 950-3061 |
| Peoria | 815 W Pioneer Pkwy | (877) 319-6039 | (833) 950-2502 |
| Peru | 915 Wenzel Rd | (855) 245-0640 | (833) 950-3445 |
| Springfield | 3112 Constitution Dr | (877) 279-9504 | (833) 950-2504 |
Southern Illinois
| City | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alton |
501 Belle St Rm 103 Federal Bldg |
(855) 285-6006 | (833) 950-3115 |
| Belleville |
1670 Lebanon Ave, Lake Christine Center |
(877) 405-0471 | (833) 580-0167 |
| Carbondale |
250 W Cherry St, Rm 104 |
(877) 714-0377 | (833) 950-3441 |
| East St. Louis |
650 Missouri Ave Rm 104 Federal Bldg |
(877) 700-4849 | (833) 436-4144 |
| Effingham |
1207 Network Centre Dr Ste 2 |
(855) 213-5288 | (833) 950-3449 |
| Harrisburg | 18 Veteran Dr | (866) 366-3980 | (833) 950-2798 |
| Litchfield | 1107 W Ferdon | (877) 319-3077 | 833) 950-3057 |
| Mount Vernon | 105 S 6th St Federal Bldg | (866) 931-2549 | (833) 950-2792 |
| West Frankfort | 1005 Factory Outlet Dr | (888) 223-8869 | (833) 950-3707 |
How Much Does SSDI Pay In Illinois?
The Social Security Administration calculates SSDI benefits using a formula based on your past earnings. In 2024, the median monthly SSDI payment in Illinois was $1,408.00. A Social Security lawyer can help you with the application process and help you maximize your benefits.
Illinois SSDI Facts
- In 2024, nearly 2.4 million Illinois residents received some kind of Social Security benefits, with about 10 percent of those receiving SSDI benefits.
- Nearly 14 percent of SSDI recipients get less than $900 per month, while 13 percent receive $2,400 monthly or more.
- In 2024, $4.8 billion was paid in total Illinois Social Security Disability benefits.
Illinois Social Security Disability Approval Rates
Illinois’ SSDI approval rates are roughly in line with national averages. Having a lawyer to assist with your claim can improve your chances of success.
- Illinois SSDI approval rates at initial application: Nationally, 39.5 percent of SSDI applicants were approved upon their initial application in 2024. In Illinois, that number was 40.9 percent.
- Illinois disability hearing approval rates: In 2024, Illinois had a lower disability hearing approval rate than the national average. 52.6 percent of Illinois applicants who went forward with a hearing were approved, compared with 57.7 percent nationwide.
Having the support of a lawyer at an appeal hearing can significantly increase your chances of success.
How Long Does It Take To Get Disability in Illinois?
The average amount of time it takes to receive disability depends on several factors, including the complexity of your case. In the fiscal year ending February 2025, the Chicago office had an average processing time of 257 days—or about 8.5 months.
What To Do If Your SSDI Claim Is Denied In Illinois?
If your initial SSDI claim is denied, the two main steps in the Illinois disability appeal process are reconsideration and a hearing. A qualified attorney can be enormously helpful during both steps of the process.
Requesting Reconsideration in Illinois
After your initial SSDI rejection, you have 60 days to request a reconsideration. During reconsideration, a different team will review your application and any supplementary material you submitted.
You’ll need to provide any new or updated medical information, but you can also submit any other documentation that refutes the initial rejection.
Disability Hearings in Illinois
Only 18.1 percent of the Illinois SSDI applications that proceeded to the reconsideration phase in 2024 were accepted. Illinois also has fewer successful SSDI hearings than the national average.
Having an experienced attorney on your side gives you a much better chance of your appeal succeeding.
Why You Need a Disability Attorney for Appeals
If you are rejected at the reconsideration phase, your next step is a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. These hearings are closed to the public, but you can have a lawyer or other advocate with you.
You must answer the judge’s questions under oath. You will also have the opportunity to make a statement on your behalf regarding your disability. You are also allowed to have an expert witness testify.
Additional Benefits for Illinois SSDI Recipients
SSDI applicants in Illinois may also be entitled to other state assistance programs. Consulting with a lawyer can help maximize your benefits.
Illinois Medicaid
If you receive SSDI, you automatically qualify for Medicare following a two-year waiting period. You might also qualify for Medicaid benefits if your income—including SSDI—is below a certain threshold.
Even if your income is above the Medicaid threshold, Illinois residents may still be able to access those benefits through the spend-down and buy-in programs.
Other State Assistance Programs
If you qualify for SSDI, you may also be entitled to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. You may also qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families—sometimes referred to as welfare—or other Illinois state programs. You can apply online or with the help of a lawyer.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
- How to Apply for Social Security Disability in Illinois
- How Much Does SSDI Pay In Illinois?
- Illinois SSDI Facts
- Illinois Social Security Disability Approval Rates
- How Long Does It Take To Get Disability in Illinois?
- What To Do If Your SSDI Claim Is Denied In Illinois?
- Additional Benefits for Illinois SSDI Recipients
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“I was very pleased and impressed by the advocate. I feel that my chances of receiving my disability benefits are more likely to come in a timely manner.”
Danny C.
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“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very thorough with answering all of my questions and making sure all my information was correct. He was very patient, kind, and was very helpful. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify, and he checked and took all of my information. The process was made very easy, thank you so much for your help.”
Patrice I.