After you’ve gathered medical records to support your disability claim and completed and submitted your disability application, the next step is the hardest.
You wait. Sometimes, you wait a long time.
When you apply for disability, your application is routed to a disability examiner at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office. Depending on the field office’s caseload and the completeness of your application, it can take from one to three months – possibly even longer – to learn whether you’ve been approved to receive social security disability benefits.
If your disability application is denied and you appeal, there’s another round of waiting. In Illinois, you can expect to wait an average of 14.9 months to receive an administrative hearing. And that doesn’t include the time it takes for the administrative law judge to rule on your appeal.
All this waiting to begin receiving social security disability benefits is understandably difficult. Fortunately, there are several options available to check the status of your disability application while you await a formal decision.
🌐 Option 1: Check Your Disability Application Status Online
SSA prefers that individuals check their application status through my SocialSecurity, a secure, online portal accessed through the SSA website. To use this option, you must create an account at the mySocialSecurity website. Once you’ve created an account, you can log on at any time to review information regarding:
- The date your disability application was received
- The current location of your disability claim or appeal (i.e., at the local SSA field office, with the administrative law judge, decision mailed)
- The date and time of your administrative hearing, if one was scheduled
- Whether a decision has been made
Creating an account also lets you review information unrelated to your disability application, such as your last reported annual earnings and your estimated retirement benefit. Since social security disability benefit awards are based on prior years’ earnings, it is a good idea to review this information periodically. If the SSA has inaccurate wage information, or if it conflicts with the financial information you submitted with your disability application, it could potentially delay processing your application and/or decrease your benefits award. Make sure to notify the SSA immediately of any errors.
The fastest and easiest way to check your SSDI or SSI status is through the SSA’s secure portal:
✅ Step-by-step:
- Visit ssa.gov/myaccount
- Create or log in to your mySocialSecurity account
- Navigate to your application status dashboard
You’ll be able to see:
- When your application was received
- What stage it’s in (e.g., with disability examiner, at hearing office, etc.)
- If a decision has been made
- Details of a scheduled administrative hearing, if applicable
📌 Pro Tip:
Your mySocialSecurity account also gives you access to:
- Your last reported annual earnings
- Estimated retirement benefits
- Medicare eligibility
Why this matters: Your SSDI award amount is based on your lifetime earnings.
If there are discrepancies in your reported income, it can delay your claim or lower your benefit amount. Double-check and report any errors immediately.
☎️ Option 2: Check Your Disability Status by Phone
If you don’t have Internet access or don’t wish to create a mySocialSecurity account, you can check the status of your disability application the old-fashioned way – by telephone. Simply call your local SSA field office for an update.
How:
- Contact your local SSA field office
- Find your office’s contact number at ssa.gov/locator
When calling, have the following ready:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Full legal name and date of birth
- A copy of your application or case number (if available)
SSA agents can tell you where your application stands and whether a decision has been made.
⚖️ Option 3: Hire a Disability Attorney to Manage Your Claim
If you’re overwhelmed by the process or already facing delays or a denial a Social Security disability attorney can:
- Check your status on your behalf
- Communicate directly with SSA offices
- Identify missing documentation or errors
- Represent you in hearings or appeals
- Improve your chances of approval
In fact, claimants with legal representation are statistically more likely to receive benefits, especially during the hearing phase.
You can hire a social security disability attorney at any stage of the application process. Disability attorneys focus solely on helping their clients get SSD benefits and have a thorough understanding of the SSA regulations, the information that is needed to support your disability claim, and the best way to present it. This not only greatly improves the chances that your disability claim is approved, but also makes the process less stressful.
📞 Get Help with Your Disability Application
At The Good Law Group, we help individuals at every stage of the disability process—from initial application to reconsideration, hearings, and appeals.
✅ We check your claim status
✅ We help avoid delays and denials
✅ We only get paid if you win
Don’t wait and wonder.
📍 Serving Illinois and nationwide disability applicants
📞 Call (847) 577-4476 for a free consultation.
What is the “Five Month Waiting Period” in SSDI Claims – Video
🔎 Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a decision on a disability claim?
It usually takes 1–3 months for initial SSDI/SSI decisions. If denied and appealed, the wait time for a hearing in Illinois is about 14.9 months, plus additional time for the judge’s decision.
What’s the best way to check my Social Security disability status?
The mySocialSecurity online portal is the most accurate and up-to-date way to check your SSDI or SSI claim status.
Can an attorney check my disability case status for me?
Yes. A disability lawyer can monitor your case, follow up with SSA offices, and help avoid processing errors that lead to delays or denials.
