Millions of people file for Social Security Disability benefits each and every year. Statistics have shown us that approximately 70 percent of the people who file such claims are denied benefits during the initial stage of the application process. These same statistics also tell us that retaining proper legal representation can significantly increase your chances of a successful Social Security Disability application or, if necessary, a successful appeal of the SSA's decision to deny your Social Security Disability benefits.
If you are thinking about applying for Social Security Disability benefits in the area of Waukegan, Illinois or wish to appeal a denial of your benefits, you need to consult with a Waukegan Social Security Disability attorney as soon as possible.
Waukegan's economy has historically been founded on the manufacturing industry. However, as manufacturing companies have been closing their doors at increasing rates, the city has focused on “knowledge based” companies and has current plans to renovate the downtown area, drawing in new businesses and providing additional jobs to Waukegan-area residents.
Some of the plans to stimulate the economy of Waukegan include the construction of a newly-planned “Fountain Square” which will be home to a $250 million mixed-use development offering retail, dining and hospitality services. Uline Corporation, Peer Inc. and WMS Industries also play important roles in the economic well-being of the city. The estimated per-capita income in Waukegan is below $20,000. However, that number is expected to rise as job opportunities increase in the area.
Applying for Waukegan Social Security Disability Benefits
Each year the Social Security Administration receives millions of applications for Social Security Disability benefits. Unfortunately, nearly seventy percent of these applications are denied during the initial stage of the application process. Some statistics have indicated that approval rates are actually lower in Illinois than they are in most parts of the nation.
In fact, one year it was estimated that nearly 85 percent of the Social Security Disability claims filed in Illinois were denied during the initial application stage. Because of this, disabled individuals in Waukegan should consider the services of a Waukegan Social Security Disability lawyer if they hope to improve their chances for a successful Social Security Disability claim.
If an individual wants to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, that person must suffer from a disability that prevents them from being able to work for a period of at least twelve months. However, the burden of proof is on the part of the disability applicant, so you must be able to prove that you meet the SSA's published medical criteria for your disabling condition. Doing so can be quite complicated, and the services of a Waukegan Social Security attorney can help greatly.
Hiring a Waukegan Disability Attorney
While many people wait until an initial claim has been denied before considering the services of a disability lawyer, this is generally not the best strategy. A denied claim will send a claimant into the appeals stage of the disability application process. Hiring a Waukegan Social Security lawyer to help you with your initial disability claim can provide you with the professional direction you need to complete your application paperwork properly and submit your claim in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration.
A Waukegan disability attorney will help you file your application for Social Security Disability benefits, ensuring that you have everything you need to prove your condition to the Social Security Administration. If your initial claim for benefits is denied, a Waukegan Social Security lawyer can increase your chances of successfully appealing the SSA's decision to deny the disability benefits that to which you may be entitled.
If your initial disability claim is denied by the Social Security Administration, you will likely need to attend a disability hearing. Although there is a stage of appeals prior to a disability hearing called a Request for Reconsideration, fewer than 15 percent of these requests are awarded by the Social Security Administration. You can submit a request for reconsideration by filling out form SSA-561. On the other hand, two-thirds of appeals are won at the hearing stage of the appeal process.
Unfortunately, the office in charge of scheduling disability hearings for Waukegan Social Security Disability applicants, which is located in Evanston, takes an average of 423 days to schedule a disability hearing. It then takes another 60 to 90 days from the date that the hearing was completed for an applicant to discover whether or not that hearing was decided in their favor.
Your chances of a successful Social Security Disability hearing are greatly increased if you retain the services of a Waukegan Social Security Disability attorney. Your Waukegan Social Security Disability lawyer can help prepare you for your Social Security Disability hearing and will help you understand what you should do to increase your chances of a successful appeal and what you should expect during the hearing process.
A Waukegan Social Security attorney will also handle disability claims in cities located the areas of Evanston, North and Northwest Chicagoland, Freeport, Prospect Heights, Rockford, Sterling, Woodstock and other Chicago suburbs.
