Filing Your Illinois SSD Insurance Claim

Please get in touch with our Chicago Social Security Disability law firm online today, or call 847-299-0008 to schedule a free initial consultation.

We work on a contingency fee basis as approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

How to Apply for SSDI in Illinois: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 — Determine whether you’re potentially eligible

Eligibility depends on having a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death) and enough work credits under Social Security. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates offers a free initial consultation to help you understand whether your condition and work history meet these basic requirements.

Step 2 — Gather medical/work information

You’ll need treatment records, scans/images, physician contact information, medications, specific diagnoses, and a history of your past jobs and duties. Our team helps clients organize this documentation early, since a well-supported file strengthens the claim from the start.

Step 3 — File the application

Applications can be submitted online, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates can help you complete the forms accurately and avoid common errors that lead to delays or denials.

Step 4 — What happens after filing

Once filed, your claim is sent to a state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for medical review. This process typically takes several months, and our attorneys monitor the claim’s status on your behalf.

Step 5 — Responding to SSA requests

SSA or DDS may request additional records, ask you to complete forms, or schedule a consultative exam with an independent doctor. Responding promptly and completely is critical, and our office helps clients meet these requests correctly and on time.

Step 6 — Initial decision

SSA issues a written decision approving or denying benefits based on the medical and vocational evidence. Most initial claims are denied, so a denial at this stage is common and not the end of the process.

Step 7 — What to do if denied

If denied, you generally have 60 days to appeal, and missing this deadline can require starting over. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates reviews denial letters quickly to identify the best next step and keep your appeal on schedule.

Step 8 — Reconsideration

Reconsideration is a full review of your file by a different SSA examiner, including any new evidence submitted. Because approval rates at this stage are low, our attorneys focus on strengthening the medical record before resubmission.

Step 9 — Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where you and often a vocational or medical expert testify. This is typically the stage with the highest approval rates, and having experienced representation can significantly impact the outcome.

Step 10 — Appeals Council/federal court

If the ALJ denies your claim, you may request review by the Appeals Council, and if necessary, file an appeal in federal district court. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates represents clients through these final stages when continued appeal is the right strategic choice.

Should I Hire a Disability Lawyer Before I Apply?

Hiring a disability lawyer before you apply isn’t required, but it can meaningfully improve your chances of approval. An attorney can help you determine whether you meet the basic medical and work-history requirements, gather the right documentation from the start, and frame your application to align with SSA’s specific disability criteria. Since a large share of initial applications are denied due to incomplete records or technical errors, getting experienced guidance early often prevents costly delays later.

That said, many people choose to file the initial application on their own and bring in a lawyer only if they’re denied, since attorneys typically work on contingency and there’s no upfront cost to consulting one. Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates offers free consultations to review your situation before you file, so you can make an informed decision about whether early representation makes sense for your specific case.

Don't fight alone! Ease the Stress and avoid mistakes.

Why Our Clients Trust Our Disability Attorneys

I want to thank the Rabin legal team for their outstanding support since 2022 in helping Lindsay successfully getting through the SSI application, appeal(s), and finally approval process.

Everyone on your team has been extremely helpful, patient, professional, and diligent in working through this long and arduos process. The fact that Lindsay's file had approximately 3000 pages clearly shows the amount of time, work, and thoroughness the Rabin team has done for Lindsay. My wife, Lindsay and I cannot thank each of you enough for the support you have provided through this process. The SSI decision is a key step in Lindsay's continued progress in working through her disability. The positive outcome of yesterday's hearing clearly shows how your team's collective efforts over several years provided the information needed to have SSI approve the appeal. Thanks again to each and every one of you for your support.

Bill and Karen C

Chicago, IL

My experience with Jeffrey A Rabin has been very good.

My approval of Social Security disability benefits came much quicker than I had expected. I first met with an associate on April 16, 2020 and we filed my application on May 21, 2020. My application was approved on August 3, 2020, only around a four month process. Even though we were at the beginning of this coronavirus outbreak when we started, it was easy to contact them and complete this process.

David Janis

Thank you so much for all you and the staff have done for me.

It meant a lot to me every time I called and whoever I talked to knew all about my case. It was wonderful that I didn’t get pushed from one person to another. Your staff was always happy; they acted like they personally know me. But most of all I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW FAST YOU HAD MY CASE DONE. You and your staff really put a smile on my face. Thank you for doing what I couldn’t get done. Everyone will know Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associate

Eric Morris

This was an outstanding experience for me from my first appointment to the last.

This Law Firm was very professional kind and considerate of me and my disability. They knew exactly what it was like for me in the real world and absolutely essential to help me explain that and my disability to the Social Security Administration. I definitely could not have done this without them and they have changed my life for the better forever. In my eyes they are the best social security disability law firm in Chicago and the suburbs.

Steven Sidbeck

I filed for my disability and got denied twice. So I decided that I needed help of a lawyer.

I began to search and in the process of me searching I always look @ the reviews if I see more bad than good reviews I move on to the next, but not with these guys I didn’t they helped me thru the whole process and assured me if there was a problem or concern I had to reach out and they would help me anyway they could, I dealt with with a few ppl there in the office I must say from the receptionist down to the paralegals they are awesome...

Danielle Sanders

I wanted to say thank you for everything that you did for me, I greatly appreciate it.

You believed in me when a lot and social security did not. I was a risk for you to pay for my medical records, not knowing if you would win, if I had not won you would have been out of a lot of money and time. I have known other attorney’s, and have worked with them in the past, but they are nothing like you! You are a very kind generous human being with compassion. I pray that God will bless you practice and make you very successful ...

Patricia M.

Filing Your Illinois SSD Claim