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What Are The Chances of Winning a Social Security Disability (SSDI) Case in Westchester PA?

November 18, 2024 Disability

Chances of Winning a Disability (SSDI) Case in Westchester PA

76%

Not great news, your chances of winning a Disability (SSDI) case are about average if you live in Westchester PA! Those who file a claim for SSDI or SSI and stick with it through the hearing stage won their case approximately 76% of the time. The bad news is that it could take one to three years (or more in extreme cases) to get approved for benefits. Yikes!

Where to File for Social Security Disability (SSDI) in Westchester PA

Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two forms of Disability Benefits that almost everyone can get if they become disabled. For more information on the SSA rules for disability click here. There are three ways to file for SSDI benefits in Westchester PA:

  1. Online – go to SSA.gov and create an account if you don’t have one already. If you have one, log in and start the application.
  2. In person – if you live in or near Westchester PA (zip codes 19301, 19310, 19311, 19312, 19316, 19320, 19330, 19344, 19345, 19348, 19350, 19352, 19355, 19358, 19362, 19363, 19365, 19367, 19374, 19380, 19382, 19383, 19421, 19425, 19432, 19442, 19460, 19480, 19481, 19482, 19484, 19493, 19494, 19495, or 19496) go to:
    1101 WEST CHESTER PIKE
    WESTCHESTER PA 19382
  3. By Phone – call 1-800-772-1213.

Chances of Winning at the First Two Stages in Pennsylvania

As mentioned above, Westchester PA is about the national average when it comes to filing for Social Security Disability. Why? Pennsylvania has about average allowance rates at the Initial and Reconsideration Stages, and because the case is almost always heard in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Hearing Office. The Philadelphia Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) has judges with about average approval rates compared to the National average. But it usually takes two to three years to get to the hearing, unfortunately. Here is the breakdown of stages of a Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application/appeal from a Disability Attorney serving Philadelphia:

  1. Initial Stage: this is the stage when you first file your application. In Pennsylvania, cases at the Initial Stage are being approved 38.2% of the time. The National average is 38.6%. If you get denied, you must file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days to preserve your claim.
  2. Reconsideration Stage: Pennsylvania Requests for Reconsideration are approved at a much lower rate, namely 15%. The National average is 15.2%. That means that approximately 52% of people that file for disability get denied at both of the first two stages and have to file a Request for Hearing in order to continue their claim. Note: those who give up after being denied have a 0% chance of being approved, you must appeal, SSA will not do it for you.

Chances of Winning at the Hearing Stage – Disability Attorney Philadelphia

After the Reconsideration Stage, those who file a timely (60 days after receiving denial) Hearing Request will get a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The chances of winning a Disability (SSDI) or SSI claim at the hearing level in Westchester PA (Philadelphia Hearing Office) is a lukewarm 56%! If you’d like to see the breakdown of case approval percentages by individual ALJ, click on Judge Ratings for Philadelphia PA. Out of all the claimants that got denied at the first two levels, some of them dropped their claims or didn’t request a hearing, but those who stuck with it won their case approximately 76% of the time in Westchester Pennsylvania. Most of these 76% have a SSI Attorney serving Philadelphia Pennsylvania! If you need help with your application or appeal, contact us, a Disability Attorney serving Philadelphia for a free case evaluation.

Photo Source: By Rds1220 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130631348