Why approval rates matter when you're choosing a lawyer
When you're looking for a disability lawyer in Chicago, approval rates tell you something real: how often that lawyer's clients actually win their cases. A lawyer who wins 60% of cases is not the same as one who wins 40%. The difference means real money in your pocket and months or years you don't spend waiting.
But approval rates alone don't tell you everything. A lawyer with a high rate might take only the strongest cases and turn away people like you. A lawyer with a lower rate might take harder cases and still be the right choice. What matters is understanding what the number means and what questions to ask behind it.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago SSDI approval rates vary widely by lawyer and by hearing office, so comparing rates between lawyers is more useful than comparing them to a national average.
- A lawyer's approval rate should include their record at the hearing level, not just initial applications, because most SSDI cases are won on appeal.
- You can request a lawyer's approval statistics directly, and they are required to give you honest numbers if they advertise their record at all.
- The best lawyer for your case may not be the one with the highest rate if that lawyer won't take cases like yours or charges fees you cannot afford.
Where Chicago SSDI approval rates come from
The Social Security Administration publishes approval rates for each hearing office in the country. The Chicago hearing office covers Cook County and parts of surrounding counties. The national average approval rate at the hearing level hovers around 50%, but Chicago's rate varies year to year and depends on which judge hears your case.
Individual lawyers do not report their rates to Social Security. Instead, they track their own records and may publish them on their websites or share them when you call. Some lawyers will tell you their rate; others will not. If a lawyer advertises a specific approval rate, you can ask for documentation—they should be able to show you their track record.
Be cautious of rates that seem too high. A lawyer who claims a 90% approval rate may be counting only cases they took to hearing, not cases they initially represented. They may also be counting cases that were approved on remand (sent back to Social Security) as wins, even though the client had to wait years longer. Ask what the number includes.
How to compare approval rates between lawyers
Start by asking each lawyer you contact: "What percentage of your SSDI cases at the hearing level are approved?" This is the number that matters most, because most SSDI cases are won or lost at the hearing stage, not on the initial process.
Then ask a second question: "Does that number include cases you took to hearing, or does it include all cases you represented?" A lawyer who only counts cases they took to hearing will have a higher rate than one who counts all cases from the start. Both numbers are honest, but they measure different things.
Third, ask whether the rate includes cases that were approved on remand. A remand is when the judge sends the case back to Social Security to gather more evidence. It can take years to resolve. Some lawyers count a remand as a win; others do not. You want to know which.
Finally, ask how many cases the rate is based on. A lawyer who has won 10 out of 15 cases has a 67% rate, but that is a smaller sample than a lawyer who has won 200 out of 350. Smaller samples are less reliable.
What approval rates do not tell you
A high approval rate does not mean a lawyer will take your case. Many lawyers with strong records are selective. They may only represent people with certain diagnoses, or only people who have already been denied once. If your case is unusual or your medical evidence is weak, a lawyer with a 70% rate might turn you down, while a lawyer with a 50% rate might take you on.
Approval rates also do not account for how long cases take. A lawyer might have a high rate but move slowly, leaving you waiting months between steps. Another lawyer might have a lower rate but move faster and communicate better. Speed and communication matter to your life, even if they do not show up in the approval number.
Cost is another thing approval rates hide. Most SSDI lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay if you win. The percentage is capped by law at 25%, but some lawyers charge less. A lawyer with a slightly lower approval rate but lower fees might put more money in your pocket in the end.
Questions to ask a Chicago SSDI lawyer about their record
When you call a lawyer, write down these questions and take notes on the answers:
- What is your approval rate at the hearing level for SSDI cases?
- Does that rate include all cases you represented, or only cases you took to hearing?
- How many cases is that rate based on?
- Does that number include remands, or only cases approved outright?
- What is your fee, and is it the full 25% or less?
- How long does a typical case take from when you start to when we get a decision?
- Will you represent me if my case goes to federal court, or do I need a different lawyer?
Write down the answers so you can compare them side by side. You will notice that lawyers with similar approval rates may have very different answers to the other questions. That is normal. The approval rate is one piece of information, not the whole picture.
Red flags when a lawyer talks about approval rates
Be skeptical if a lawyer claims an approval rate above 80% without explaining what it includes. Approval rates that high usually mean the lawyer is counting only a narrow slice of cases—perhaps only cases they took to hearing, or only cases with certain diagnoses, or only cases where the claimant had already been denied once.
Be skeptical also if a lawyer will not tell you their approval rate at all. They may say "every case is different" or "I don't track that." That is true, but it does not answer your question. A lawyer who tracks their record and is proud of it will tell you. A lawyer who does not track it or will not share it is harder to evaluate.
Finally, be skeptical of approval rates that are much lower than the Chicago hearing office average. If a lawyer's rate is 30% and the hearing office rate is 50%, ask why. It could be that they take harder cases. It could also be that they are not as skilled. You need to know which.
How approval rates fit into your decision
Approval rates are useful, but they are not the only thing that matters. A lawyer with a 55% rate who will take your case, communicates clearly, and charges 20% might be better for you than a lawyer with a 65% rate who is hard to reach and charges 25%.
Use approval rates to narrow your list. Call three or four lawyers, ask about their rates, and eliminate anyone who will not answer the question or whose rate is much lower than the hearing office average without explanation. Then, among the lawyers who remain, choose based on whether they will take your case, how they communicate, and what they charge.
Remember that approval rates measure past cases, not your case. A lawyer's record is a good sign, but it is not a may provide. What matters most is that you understand what the number means, that you ask the right questions, and that you choose someone you trust to represent you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good SSDI approval rate for a Chicago lawyer?
Anything above the Chicago hearing office average is good. The average varies year to year but is usually between 45% and 55%. A lawyer with a 55% to 65% rate is doing well. Rates above 70% are excellent but may mean the lawyer is selective about which cases they take.
Can I find a lawyer's approval rate online?
Some lawyers publish their rates on their websites. Others do not. The best way to find out is to call and ask. If a lawyer advertises a rate online, they should be able to back it up with documentation if you request it.
Does a higher approval rate mean the lawyer is better?
Not necessarily. A higher rate might mean the lawyer is more skilled, or it might mean they only take the easiest cases. Ask what the rate includes and how many cases it is based on. Also ask about communication, speed, and fees—those matter too.
What if two lawyers have the same approval rate?
Compare their fees, how long they say cases take, and how they communicate with you. Ask whether they will represent you at every stage, including federal court if needed. The lawyer who answers your questions clearly and charges less is usually the better choice.
Should I hire a lawyer with the highest approval rate even if they charge more?
Not automatically. If the difference in rate is small (say, 60% versus 65%), the higher fee might cost you more money in the end than the slightly lower approval rate would. Calculate what you would actually receive after fees before deciding.