Illinois is rather unique when it comes to disability. Most states align closely with the national average, which shows about 1 in 5 US residents with a disability of some kind.
However, only 10.3% of Illinois residents report having a disability, giving Illinois one of the lowest disability ratings in the country.
For those seeking help for their disabilities, Illinois is one of the best places to apply. With its steady track record in awarding benefits, those whose disabilities qualify have a great chance at having their applications accepted.
Below are all the best locations near Evanston, IL that you can contact for assistance during your disability application process.
Social Security Office Evanston
Address: 216 Green Bay Road, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Office Hours:
MON: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
TUES: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
WED: 09:00 AM—12:00 PM
THUR: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
FRI: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
SAT & SUN: CLOSED
Directions To Evanston's Social Security Office:
By car: The Social Security office in Evanston is located directly on Green Bay Road, which is one of the major throughways in the heart of the city.
It is just east of Northwestern University’s campus and can be easily reached by city streets after heading east from the I-94 on exit 34-B (Lake Avenue) towards the bay.
By public transit: The closest public transit is the Purple Line, which drops residents off within .6 miles of the office at the Foster stop.
However, for those with mobility problems or other conditions that would make this walking distance uncomfortable, you can call your local office at the number above to discuss other transportation options.
Evanston’s Social Security ODAR Office
According to the SSA’s website, only 20-30% of most disability cases are accepted on the first application. For those that aren’t, applicants have the right to schedule an appeal at their local ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review).
This location is where appeal hearings are held in front of an administrative law judge, or ALJ, to potentially overturn a case decision.
Address: 1033 University Place Suite 200, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (866) 336-6051
Average Hearing Wait Time: 17.00 months
Average Processing Time: 561 days
Average Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ: 1.46
Evanston Congressional and Senatorial Offices
To further speed up the decision process on your disability claim, you can try contacting your local congress or senatorial offices. By asking for an update on your case decision, you can potentially get results sent to you faster.
This doesn’t improve your chances of approval, but it does give you more time to start the appeals process should you need to.
Other methods, such as speaking with a disability attorney, can also be used to speed up the claims process.
Contacting a Disability Attorney
Whether you’re just starting the application process or are preparing for a hearing, disability attorneys can always be of use. Unlike non-attorney representatives, disability attorneys have undergone rigorous schooling and have years of experience helping people like you get the benefits they deserve.
In fact, unlike most attorneys, payment is only allowed if your attorney helps you to win your case, increasing their incentive and reducing your risk of hiring a professional.
Before taking the next step in your disability application process, consider a free consultation with an Evanston attorney today.