Aurora, Illinois, located in Kane County, is home to a number of experienced Social Security Disability lawyers who can help disabled individuals apply for disability benefits. If you are unable to work due to an impairment or disability, an Aurora lawyer can assist you through the Social Security Disability application process and potentially increase your chances of approval.
Aurora disability claims are often handled in the nearby Oak Brook hearing office. There is currently a 354 day wait time as well as a total of 3,263 pending cases in the Oak Brook hearing office. It is important to remember that while waiting a long time for disability benefits is less than ideal, most recipients find the payments to be worth any inconvenience they may have gone through.
In December 2011, 8,025 Kane County residents received SSDI benefits and 4,661 Kane County residents received SSI benefits.
For those who are unfamiliar with the two disability programs, learn more here.
If you are ready to begin the Social Security Disability application process, you can start by filling out an application online or by visiting one of the following Social Security offices near Aurora:
1325 N. Lake Street
Aurora, IL 60506
Telephone: 1-630-264-2683
77 West Jackson Blvd
Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
Consulting with a Aurora Social Security Disability Attorney
As previously stated, an experienced lawyer can increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits. He or she will be able to help you collect the necessary medical documentation and legal paperwork to submit an accurate and successful application.
Hiring legal representation to support you during the Social Security Disability application process has many benefits. Learn more here.
An Aurora Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Kane County, DuPage County, Kendall County, Will County: Batavia, Naperville, Chicago, Geneva, St. Charles, Wheaton, Lombard, Montgomery, Boulder Hill, Naperville, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Wheaton, Lombard, Boilingbrook, Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Big Rock.
Speak with a representative at the Kane County Bar association if you have any questions about the legal professionals in your area:
Kane County Bar Association
555 S. Randall Road, Suite 205
St. Charles, IL 60174
Aurora Disability Hearings
If an applicant’s initial application and reconsideration are denied and he or she wishes to continue pursuing Social Security Disability benefits, they must request an appeal hearing to be held in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). Most Aurora disability hearings are held at the Oak Brook Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
Below we have listed the approval rates for the administrative law judges (ALJs) who hear cases in the Oak Brook office:
| ALJ | Approval Rate |
| Bruning, Janice M. | 34.45% |
| Cromer, Kimberly S. | 47.70% |
| Fina, Joel G. | 51.36% |
| Freeman, Bernadette | 65.23% |
| Kelsey, Roxanne J. | 45.54% |
| Mackowiak, William J. | 57.80% |
| Spalo, William | 55.29% |
| Studzinski, Edward P. | 23.39% |
| Templin, Steven H. | 67.96% |
*Data from http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html
It is common for an experienced Aurora disability lawyer to be familiar with the administrative law judges who work in the Aurora hearing office. Your lawyer may be able to use this information to prepare your disability appeal successfully.
Unfortunately, scheduling an appeal hearing may take several months, if not longer. If an applicant cannot wait until their scheduled hearing date, he or she can request a congressional inquiry. To do so, an applicant must contact his or her local congressperson to explain any extreme financial or medical circumstances. He or she may be able to intervene with the ODAR on your behalf to have your disability hearing expedited.
Your local congressperson can be reached at the following address:
Geneva Office
1797 W. State Street Suite A
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-7104
Fax: (630) 232-7174
Complete the following form to receive a free legal evaluation with an Aurora attorney or advocate:
