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The Disability Process, by the Numbers
Approval odds and timelines change as a claim moves from initial review to appeal. Here's what the process looks like in the data.
Initial Application
37%
approved at this stage
Filed with your state DDS office. Strong medical evidence is the biggest factor at this stage.
How the process works →Reconsideration
16%
approved at this stage
A new examiner reviews your file. Required before requesting a hearing in most states.
What happens at reconsideration →Hearing
49%
approved at this stage · 6–12 month wait
An Administrative Law Judge hears your case. Approval rates vary significantly by judge and office.
Understand the hearing stage →Rates reflect national averages from the most recent SSA data. Your odds depend on your state, judge, and case details.
Still denied at hearing? A small share of cases continue to the Appeals Council and federal court. Learn about late-stage appeals →
Start with a guide.
Deeper reads for wherever you are in the process.
The Disability Claims Process: A Complete Overview
Filing for disability benefits is one of the most important, and most exhausting, things you can do for your financial future. The process has multiple...
5 Common Reasons Disability Claims Are Denied
Getting denied is one of the most discouraging things that can happen when you're already dealing with a serious health condition. You filed in good faith, you...
Disability Approval Rates by State (2026)
If you've started researching Social Security disability, you've probably noticed something puzzling: two people with the same diagnosis, the same work...
Explore the Data Yourself.
Search offices, judges, states, and conditions using SSA-backed datasets.
52
States & Territories
See how your state compares on initial claim approvals.
Browse states →167
Hearing Offices
Compare wait times, caseloads, and appeal approval rates.
Browse offices →1,136
Disability Judges
Look up approval rates and decision stats for hearing judges.
Browse judges →111
Condition Guides
Plain-English guides for common conditions and how SSA evaluates them.
Browse conditions →Ready to See Your Personalized Approval Guide?
We can't make the disability system simpler. We can make the data behind it clearer.
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Data sourced from SSA.gov. Figures update as new SSA releases are ingested.