Chicago residents who are disabled for more than a year may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. You can apply for these benefits via phone, online, or at your local Illinois Social Security office. To qualify for benefits you'll need to show that you're unable to work in any job for at least a year due to an illness or injury (or a combination of these.) Only 30% of applicants are initially approved, and another 10% of applicants have their benefits granted after appealing the first denial. However, you have a much greater chance of being approved at the third stage in the process, which entails appearing at an administrative law judge hearing at a Chicago Social Security office. More than half of these hearings result in the Chicago claimant's benefits being granted.
Chicago Health Resources
Medical records are the most important piece of evidence when you're attempting to prove disabling condition for a Social Security Disability claim. It's critical that you obtain regular treatment for the conditions that make you unable to work. The office that decides if claimants are entitled to disability benefits is called the Chicago Disability Determination Services (DDS.) The DDS employee who is assigned to your claim will conduct an in-depth review of your medical records to see how your condition affects your ability to work. If you're a disabled Chicago resident who is having trouble affording medical treatment, you'll find some resources below where you may be able to obtain free or low-cost healthcare services.
Alivio Medical Center
966 West 21st Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 829-6370
PCC Community Wellness Center
1 Erie Court, Ste. 6040
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-1301
Community Health Clinic
2611 West Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 395-9901
Trina Davila Community Services Center
4345 West Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
(312) 742-8724
Free Peoples Clinic
1850 W. Garfield Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 436-4870
South State Family Health Center
5050 S. State St., Floor 2
Chicago, IL 60609
(713) 624-2700
Pilsen Family Health Center
1817 S. Loomis St.
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 666-6511
Chicago Mental Health Resources
If a mental condition causes or contributes to your inability to work, it's important to obtain the appropriate treatment so that DDS can examine records regarding this. If you're seeking Chicago mental health services you could benefit from contacting one of the resources below.
Illinois Department of Human Services
401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(800) 843-6154
Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (multiple locations)
4740 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-0205
Chicago, Illinois Supplemental Benefits
If you qualify for Social Security's needs-based disability benefits, called Supplemental Security Income, you could be eligible for an additional payment from the state of Illinois. The procedure for determining if you're eligible for this is based on a complicated formula concerning what's referred to as your “individual maintenance level” (which is determined by the state.) For questions regarding state supplements you should call the Illinois Department of Human Services at (800) 843-6154. This department is also responsible for administering the state's medical assistance programs, which SSI recipients could also be eligible for.
Chicago Social Security Claim
Even when Chicago Social Security Disability applicants do everything right, including obtaining the appropriate medical treatment, many still see their claims denied. Although there is an appeals system in place, proceeding through this can result in a wait of up to two years or more before your claim is resolved. However, a Chicago Social Security Disability attorney can take actions to increase the chances that your claim will be approved. In addition, they can handle the filing of any necessary appeals and answer any questions you may have. They can also communicate with the DDS to ensure that they have all of your medical records.
There's no upfront cost to hiring a Chicago Social Security lawyer. A Chicago disability attorney works on a contingency basis, meaning they're only paid if and when you're granted benefits. In this case, they'll be awarded a fee consisting of 25% of the amount you receive in retroactive benefit payments.
If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click the "Free Disability Evaluation" link at the top of the page for your free case evaluation or to get more information about hiring a Chicago disability lawyer.
