Rockford is a city located on the banks of the Rock River in the northern part of Illinois. Holding the county seat of Winnebago, the city is home to more than 150,000 Illinois residents. Currently, aside from the Chicago Metropolitan Area, Rockford is the second largest city in the state. The city offers a central location with easy access to rail service and major highways. Rockford is also home to one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation. As a result, many new businesses have been attracted to the area.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reported that more than 240,000 of the people who live in the State of Illinois receive Social Security Disability benefits from the SSA. If you wish to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Rockford, Illinois you must be able to prove that you are suffering from a disabling condition and that the condition prevents you from performing any type of work activity whatsoever. In addition, the disability must be expected to last for a period of at least 12 months.
When the SSA determines whether or not you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, your file is given to an SSA adjudicator. This adjudicator will review your file and will determine whether you have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits or if you meet the household income and asset limits for the SSA’s needs-based SSI program.
When trying to prove your disability, it will be helpful if your condition is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book of disabling conditions. If your disability is included in this Blue Book and you meet the guidelines that have been set forth, it is likely that you will be approved for benefits if you handle your claim properly. If your condition is not listed, you may still be able to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, but you will need to work harder to prove your case to the SSA.
If the SSA does approve your claim for Social Security Disability benefits, those benefits will begin after you have met the initial six-month wait that has been set forth by the SSA. The start of this period begins with the onset of your disability. If you have been disabled for more than six months when you are approved for benefits, your Social Security Disability payments will begin right away. You may, in some cases, even be entitled to a one-time, lump-sum back payment from the SSA.
Apply for Rockford Social Security Disability Benefits
If you are in need of Social Security Disability benefits in the Rockford area, you may want to discuss your disability case with a knowledgeable Rockford Social Security Disability attorney prior to actually filing your claim. As stated above, the chances of your claim being approved depend highly upon your application being prepared and submitted properly. The services of a qualified Rockford Social Security Disability lawyer can help you ensure that your application paperwork is properly completed and that you have provided enough objective medical evidence to support your Social Security Disability claim.
A large number of disability applicants usually wait to seek out legal counsel until their initial disability applications have been denied. This can be a costly mistake. Waiting to seek out legal counsel may mean a denial of your initial Social Security Disability application. This denial of benefits will result in a Social Security Disability appeal, which can take some applicants more than two years to complete.
If your initial claim for benefits is denied, you will likely need to begin the stages of the Social Security Disability appeal process. These stages include the request for reconsideration and a hearing before an administrative law judge. The good news is that nearly 60 percent of applicants are awarded benefits as a result of their disability hearing. It is important to note, however, that your chances of a successful hearing outcome significantly decline if you do not have proper legal representation.
The office that is in charge of processing claims for Rockford residents is located at 502 E. Jefferson Street.
Rockford Social Security Disability Resources
When you provide your Social Security Disability claim to this office, it is important to include up-to-date medical evidence that will support your claim. If you have not had recent access to health care, many low-cost medical clinics can help. Some of the clinics that serve the Rockford area include:
Broadway Clinic
1100 Broadway
Rockford IL 61104
815-490-1600
Carpenter's Place
1149 Railroad Ave.
Rockford IL 61104
815-964-4105
Crusader Community Health -West State Street
1200 W State St
Rockford IL 61102
815-490-1600
Janet Wattles Center
526 W. State St.
Rockford IL 61101
815-968-9300
Rockford Health Clinic
2400 N. Rockton Ave.
Rockford IL 61103
815-971-6201
Shelter Care Ministries
412 N. Church St.
Rockford IL 61103
815-964-5520
The Mill
3445 Elmwood Rd.
Rockford IL 61101
815-877-3440
Trinity House - MELD
620 Kishwaukee St.
Rockford IL 61104
815-963-3369
Winnebago County Health Department
330 15th Ave.
Rockford IL 61104
815-972-7200
Your Rockford Disability Claim
The SSA does allow you to represent yourself through each stage of the Social Security Disability claim and appeal process. It is important to note, however, that doing so may not be in your best interests. The best way to ensure that you have the best chance of a successful outcome of your disability claim or appeal is to retain the services of a qualified Rockford Social Security attorney. This professional will work with you to determine the validity of your claim, point out any weak spots and help you gather the medical evidence you will need to prove your case to the SSA.
