Where to file your disability claim in Illinois

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the federal Social Security Administration, not through the state of Illinois. There is no separate Illinois disability program that replaces federal benefits. You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security field office.

Illinois has 87 Social Security field offices across the state. If you prefer to file in person, you can find the office nearest you by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-in hours vary by location, but most offices accept appointments, which you can schedule online or by phone. Filing in person can be useful if you have questions about what documents to bring or if you need help filling out forms.

Online filing is often the fastest route. You can start an SSDI or SSI claim at ssa.gov/applyfordisability without leaving home, and you can save your progress and return to it later. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your documents ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for federal disability benefits through Social Security, not through Illinois state government, using ssa.gov, 1-800-772-1213, or a local field office.
  • SSDI requires a work history and enough recent work credits; SSI is for people with little or no work history and limited income and resources.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, work history, and proof of income to complete your claim.
  • The decision process typically takes three to five months, but you can check your claim status online using your my Social Security account.
  • If denied, you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days, and most people who appeal eventually receive benefits.

SSDI versus SSI: which program you may file for

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your own work history. You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security work credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled, but generally you need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. If you worked full-time for about five years in the past decade, you likely have enough credits.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with disabilities who have little or no work history, or whose work history is not recent enough for SSDI. SSI has strict limits on how much money and property you can own: as of 2024, you can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are single, or $3,000 if you are married. Your monthly income also matters—SSI pays a federal base amount (which varies slightly by state) only if your other income is below that amount.

You can file for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. Social Security will determine which program you meet the rules for. If you have some work credits but not enough for SSDI, you may still receive SSI if your income and resources are low enough. If you are already receiving SSDI and your benefits are low, you may also receive a small SSI payment to bring you up to the federal minimum.

Documents and information you will need to gather

Before you file, collect the following documents. You do not need all of them to start your claim, but having them ready speeds up the process:

  • Your Social Security number and birth certificate. These are required to open your claim.
  • Medical records from your doctors and hospitals. Bring records from the past three years if possible. Include test results, imaging reports, surgery notes, and any diagnoses. If you see a therapist or psychiatrist, include those records too.
  • A list of all medications you take, with the names, doses, and how often you take them.
  • Your work history for the past 15 years, including job titles, dates you worked, and the names and addresses of employers. This helps Social Security count your work credits.
  • Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. This is especially important if you are filing for SSI.
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency, such as a passport, green card, or state ID.

You do not need to have all of these before you file. Social Security can request them from your doctors and employers after you submit your claim. However, the sooner you provide complete medical records, the sooner Social Security can make a decision.

The medical review process and what happens after you file

After you file, Social Security sends your claim to the Illinois Disability information Services (DDS) office in Springfield. This office is part of the state agency that works with Social Security to review medical evidence. A disability examiner and a medical consultant will review your medical records to determine whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.

Social Security's definition of disability is strict: your condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 months, or it must be expected to result in death. Having a diagnosis alone is not enough. Social Security looks at whether your condition limits your ability to do basic work activities like sitting, standing, lifting, concentrating, or remembering instructions.

The decision process usually takes three to five months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs to request additional medical records from your doctors. You can check the status of your claim online by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You will receive a written decision in the mail.

What to do if your claim is denied

About 65 to 70 percent of initial claims are denied. A denial does not mean you cannot receive benefits—it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that your condition meets their definition of disability at that time. The most common reason for denial is incomplete medical records.

You have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days of receiving your denial letter. Reconsideration means a different examiner will review your claim from the start. You can submit new medical records, new statements from your doctors, or new information about how your condition affects your work. Many people who are denied on their first try receive benefits on reconsideration.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within 60 days. A hearing is your chance to present your case in front of a judge, either in person, by video, or by phone. You can bring a representative—a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a family member—to help you. At a hearing, you can testify about how your condition affects your daily life and work, and the judge can question your doctors or vocational experts.

Most people who go to a hearing with representation receive benefits. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can find a free or low-cost representative through the Illinois Disability Rights Organization or through a legal aid society in your county.

Work incentives and what happens to your benefits if you work

If you receive SSDI, you can work and still receive benefits, thanks to work incentives built into the program. The Trial Work Period allows you to work for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) and earn any amount without losing your SSDI check. After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended Period of may be able to access, which lasts 36 months. During this time, you can work, but if your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit—$1,550 per month in 2024—your benefits will stop for that month.

If you receive SSI and work, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $65 per month. This means you can earn some money without losing all your benefits, but your SSI payment will decrease as your earnings increase.

Both SSDI and SSI have other work incentives, such as the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without affecting your benefits. You can learn more about work incentives by calling the Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project in Illinois at 1-866-968-7842, or by visiting your local Social Security office.

How SSDI and SSI connect to Medicare and Medicaid in Illinois

If you receive SSDI, you become covered by Medicare automatically after you have been receiving benefits for 24 months. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and some medical equipment. You pay a monthly premium for Part B, which is deducted from your SSDI check. You can also choose to enroll in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you receive SSI in Illinois, you are automatically covered by Medicaid as long as you remain on SSI. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid has no premium, and you pay little or nothing for covered services. If your SSI benefits stop because you earn too much money, you may still be able to stay on Medicaid through a work incentive called Medicaid continuation.

Understanding how work affects your benefits and your health coverage is important. Before you start working or increase your hours, contact your local Social Security office or the WIPA project to learn how it will affect your SSDI, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability if I am still working?

Yes. You can file for SSDI or SSI while you are working. Social Security will look at your medical condition and your work history, not your current job. However, if you are earning more than the SGA limit ($1,550 per month in 2024), Social Security may conclude that you are able to work and deny your claim. If your earnings are below SGA, you can file.

How long does it take to hear back after I file?

The initial decision usually takes three to five months. If you are denied and request reconsideration, that takes another two to three months. If you request a hearing, the wait time varies, but it can be six months to over a year depending on how busy the hearing office is. You can check your claim status online at any time.

Do I need a lawyer to file for disability?

No. You can file on your own. However, if your claim is denied and you request a hearing, having a representative can improve your chances of winning. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay only if you win. Legal aid societies in Illinois also offer free representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer.

What if I have a terminal illness or a condition on Social Security's compassionate allowances list?

Social Security has a list of conditions that almost always meet the disability definition, such as certain cancers, ALS, and severe heart disease. If your condition is on this list, your claim may be approved faster—sometimes within weeks instead of months. You can see the full list at ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.

Can I file for my child if they have a disability?

Yes. Children can receive SSI based on their own disability, or they can receive SSDI based on a parent's work record if the parent is disabled, retired, or deceased. The rules are different for children than for adults. Contact Social Security or visit ssa.gov to learn more about filing for a child.