In the state of Missouri, social security disability is awarded to eligible workers who have sustained injuries which keep them from being gainfully employed for at least one year. Applying for and being awarded social security disability benefits is a complex process. In both the state of Missouri and around the U.S., the average percentage of initial social security disability claims that are denied is 67.8%. Only 16.7% of cases that go back to the Social Security Administration for reconsideration are awarded. For cases that go up for review a third time to have the disability claim heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in a local hearing office, the chances of having your Missouri SSD cases awarded increase significantly. There are five hearing offices in different cities across the state of Missouri. The offices are located in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Creve Coeur.
If you are planning to have your Missouri social security disability case heard by an ALJ, know that the average processing time for a disability hearing in Missouri is 424 days compared to 349 days nationally. The approval rate for SSD cases at the hearing level statewide is 53.7% in Missouri and 58.1% nationwide. The table below lists the average approval rates and processing times in each of the five Missouri SSD hearing offices.
| Hearing Office | Approval Rate | Processing Time in Days |
| Columbia | 42.0% | 360 |
| Creve Coeur | 39.5% | 392 |
| Springfield | 38.8% | 465 |
| St. Louis | 49.7% | 472 |
| Kansas City | 39.5% | 432 |
The state of Missouri has 57 Administrative Law Judges currently hearing social security disability cases. The Columbia, Missouri hearing office has 10 judges. The Creve Coeur office has 11. There are 14 in Kansas City, 10 in Springfield and 12 serving in the St. Louis hearing office. Choosing to work with a disability lawyer in Missouri can help your case since many SSD attorneys have attended hearings and are familiar with the ALJs presiding over disability cases.
You can get a free consultation with a local Missouri disability attorney by completing the free evaluation form located on this website. Remember, your initial consultation is free and your attorney will not charge any fees unless you are awarded disability benefits.
- Columbia, MO
- Independence, MO
- Kansas City, MO
- Lee's Summit, MO
- O'Fallon, MO
- Springfield, MO
- St. Charles, MO
- St. Joseph, MO
- St. Louis, MO
