Why do disability approval rates vary by state? Social Security disability approval rates by state Disability hearing approval rates by state Disability hearing approval rates by hearing office How to get help with your disability application Frequently asked questions about getting approved for disability Find disability help in your state Resources > General General Social Security Disability Approval Rates by State and Hearing Office Written by Derek Silva Data Journalist and Content Lead Published March 31, 2023 Updated May 3, 2024 7 min read Why trust us? Compass Disability offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience, and have helped over 10,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
Why trust us? Applying for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a challenging and long process. Nationally, only about 35% of initial applications were approved in 2022. At the first appeal stage (reconsideration) about 13% of applications were approved. At a court hearing, which is the second and generally last appeal stage, about 54% of claims were approved.
However, the odds of approval also varied greatly by state in 2022. To better understand the chances of winning your Social Security disability claim , Compass Disability compared approval rates at every stage of the process and across all 50 states (plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.).
Why do disability approval rates vary by state?
Even though SSDI and SSI are both federal programs, where you live impacts your chances of approval because application reviews and appeals are handled at state or local levels.
After submitting your initial application, your state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) will review your medical eligibility. DDS uses the same evaluation process in every state, but medical approval rates range from as low as 30% in Washington, D.C., to as high as 51% in New Hampshire.
If your initial claim is denied, you can file for reconsideration . This is the first stage of appeal and involves DDS and SSA going over your application again. About 90% of claims are denied again at the reconsideration phase, but rates for medical approval (meaning your state DDS decided you meet the medical requirements to get disability) range from 11% in Colorado up to 26% in New Hampshire.
If your reconsideration is denied, you can move to the next appeal stage — a court hearing in front of a disability judge. Your hearing will usually be held at an SSA office within your state. Most judges are also local since they only hear cases in a single office. Based on a previous Compass Disability study, disability judge approval rates vary significantly across the country.
At the national level, judges approved claims in 54% of hearings. But going state by state, approval rates range from a low of 22% in Hawaii to a high of 54% in New Mexico. Looking at individual judges, some approved only 10% of cases while others approved over 90% of cases ( see our judge-by-judge breakdown here ).
Social Security disability approval rates by state
The following table breaks down state approval rates for SSDI and SSI. Note that the rates for initial applications and reconsiderations use what the SSA calls allowance rate. An allowance means the person was medically approved, though they may still be denied if they don’t meet technical requirements (like not having enough work history to qualify for SSDI). Nationally in the past decade, the final award rate (medical and technical qualification) was about 10% lower than the allowance rate. The rates for hearings represent full approvals.
Social Security disability approval rates by state in 2022
Initial application allowance rate
Reconsideration allowance rate
Disability hearing approval rate
Alabama
Alaska
No hearings in 2022
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
No hearings in 2022
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
No hearings in 2022
Tennessee
Vermont
No hearings in 2022
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
No hearings in 2022
Disability hearing approval rates by state
Disability hearings are handled by individual offices, but most states have multiple office locations. Of the 44 states (including Puerto Rico) with a hearing office, 34 have multiple offices. Approval rates also vary significantly across states.
10 states with the highest SSI and SSDI hearing approval rates
Below are the 10 states with the highest approval rates in 2022:
- Hawaii — 78% approval rate
- North Carolina — 62% approval rate
- Oklahoma — 62% approval rate
- Delaware — 61% approval rate
- South Carolina — 60% approval rate
- Michigan — 60% approval rate
- Oregon — 59% approval rate
- New Jersey — 59% approval rate
- Maryland — 59% approval rate
- California — 59% approval rate
In Puerto Rico, residents do qualify for Social Security disability and the approval rate was 65% in 2022. Interestingly, some of these states with the highest approval ratings also ranked among the states where it’s easiest to live off disability benefits .
Related: 5 Signs You’ll be Approved for Disability
10 states with the lowest SSI and SSDI hearing approval rates
Below are the 10 states with the lowest approval rates in 2022:
- New Mexico — 46% approval rate
- Missouri — 47% approval rate
- Utah — 47% approval rate
- Connecticut — 47% approval rate
- Colorado — 47% approval rate
- Rhode Island — 47% approval rate
- Virginia — 48% approval rate
- Minnesota — 49% approval rate
- Illinois — 49% approval rate
- Washington — 49% approval rate
The offices with the highest denial rates all approve a similar percentage of claims, but there is still variability within the state. As an example, there were two offices in New Mexico that handled disability cases in 2022. While one office had an approval rate of only 44%, the other approved 47% of claims. In Missouri, there were six offices that had approval rates ranging from 38% to just over 53%.
Disability hearing approval rates by hearing office
Most disability applicants must go through multiple rounds of appeals until they get to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ).
ALJs decide whether to approve or deny someone’s Social Security disability claim by considering all of the information in their application file (medical information, work history, etc.) plus testimony from job experts ( vocational experts ) and possibly medical experts. This process is the same whether a person applies for SSDI or SSI.
Hearings are conducted through one of the SSA’s hearing offices. In 2022, there were 168 hearing offices that made decisions in SSDI and SSI cases. The approval rate for most hearing offices was between 50% and 65%. This is in line with the average judge approval rate across all offices (54%). However, rates did range from as low as 35% in Richmond, Virginia, to as high as 79% in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Disability approval rates by hearing office in 2022
Hearing office
Cases Decided in 2022
Approval rate in 2022
Denial rate in 2022
Akron, OH
Albany
Albuquerque
Alexandria
Atlanta Downtown
Atlanta North
Baltimore
Billings
Birmingham
Boston
Buffalo
Charleston, SC
Charleston, WV
Charlotte
Charlottesville
Chattanooga
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Colorado Springs
Columbia MO
Columbia, SC
Columbus
Covington, GA
Creve Coeur
Dallas Downtown
Dallas North OHO
Dayton
Denver
Detroit
Elkins Park
Eugene
Evanston
Evansville
Fayetteville, NC
Florence
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Smith
Fort Wayne
Fort Worth
Franklin, TN
Fresno
Ft. Lauderdale
Grand Rapids
Greensboro
Greenville
Harrisburg
Hartford
Hattiesburg
Honolulu
Houston North
Houston West
Huntington, WV
Indianapolis
Jackson Ms OHO
Jacksonville
Jersey City
Johnstown
Kansas City
Kingsport
Knoxville
Lansing
Las Vegas
Lawrence, MA
Lexington
Little Rock
Livonia, MI
Long Beach
Long Island
Los Angeles Downtown
Los Angeles West
Louisville
Madison
Manchester
Mcalester
Memphis
Metairie
Miami OHO
Middlesboro
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Mobile
Montgomery
Moreno Valley
Morgantown
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Nashville
New Haven
New Orleans
New York
New York Varick
Newark
NHC Albuquerque
NHC Baltimore
NHC Chicago
NHC Falls Church
NHC St. Louis
Norfolk
Norwalk
Oak Brook
Oak Park
Oakland
Oklahoma City
Orange
Orland Park
Orlando
Paducah
Pasadena
Peoria
Philadelphia
Philadelphia East
Phoenix Downtown
Phoenix North
Pittsburgh
Portland Me
Portland Or
Providence
Queens
Raleigh
Richmond
Rio Grande Valley, TX
Roanoke
Rochester
Sacramento
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
San Juan
San Rafael
Santa Barbara
Savannah
Seattle
Seven Fields
Shreveport
South Jersey
Special Review Cadre
Spokane
Springfield, MA
Springfield, MO
St. Louis
St. Petersburg, FL OHO
Stockton
Syracuse
Tacoma
Tallahassee, FL OHO
Tampa OHO
Toledo, OH
Topeka, KS
Tucson
Tulsa OHO
Tupelo
Valparaiso, IN
Washington
West Des Moines
White Plains
Wichita
Wilkes-Barre
10 hearing offices with the highest approval rates
There were 13 offices that approved at least 65% of disability claims in 2022. There were also six offices that approved at least 70% of claims:
- Ponce, Puerto Rico — 79% approval rate
- Honolulu, Hawaii — 78% approval rate
- Rochester, New York — 76% approval rate
- Oak Park, Michigan — 72% approval rate
- Sacramento, California — 71% approval rate
- Varick, New York — 70% approval rate
- San Rafael, California — 69% approval rate
- Pasadena, California — 69% approval rate
- Long Island, New York — 66% approval rate
- San Jose, California — 66% approval rate
Learn more about what to expect at a disability hearing .
10 hearing offices with the lowest approval rates
While most hearing offices approve at least half of all claims, there were 53 offices (32% of all offices) where less than 50% of hearings ended with approval. Below are the six offices with the lowest approval rates in 2022:
- Richmond, Virginia — 35% approval rate
- Colorado Springs, Colorado — 36% approval rate
- Topeka, Kansas — 37% approval rate
- Springfield, Missouri — 38% approval rate
- Tacoma, Washington — 39% approval rate
- Middlesboro, Kentucky — 40% approval rate
- Downtown Phoenix, Arizona — 40% approval rate
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — 43% approval rate
- Orland Park, Illinois — 43% approval rate
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi — 43% approval rate
It’s important to note that not every judge in an office will approve or deny the same number of cases. For example, in the Richmond, Virginia, office there were nine judges who oversaw disability cases in 2022. Six of the nine judges had an approval rate of less than 40%, but the other three judges approved more than 50% of claims and one judge even approved more than 70% of claims. No matter which office handles a hearing case, which judge takes the case can make a big difference.
Related: How to prepare for a judge’s questions at a disability hearing
How to get help with your disability application
The unfortunate truth is that the disability application process is complicated, and it takes more than two years for most applicants. The best way to get help and to increase your chances of success is to work with a disability lawyer .
Involving a lawyer may seem strange, but they’re truly experts on the disability process. They can reduce your stress by guiding you through the process, but they can also do some of the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. They’ll help you fill out the application and work with you to gather the medical documents the SSA wants. A lawyer can file appeals for you and then represent you in a court in front of a judge. Overall, disability applicants with lawyers are three times more likely to win benefits.
Not every applicant needs a lawyer, so start with this disability benefits quiz . If it looks like your claim could benefit from professional help, we can match you with an experienced lawyer. You won’t have to work with the lawyer unless you want to and you’ll never have to pay the lawyer anything until after you win your disability claim.
Frequently asked questions about getting approved for disability
How long does it take to get approved for disability?
Unfortunately, from the time you submit your application until you get approved for disability benefits takes more than two years on average. On the bright side, your first paycheck will include months or even years of back pay benefits.
Does my medical condition affect my chances of winning disability?
It is easier to qualify for Social Security disability benefits with certain conditions. For example, the SSA will automatically approve a terminal illness but is less likely to approve disability for mental health conditions like depression. Learn more about what conditions qualify for SSDI and SSI .
Can I increase my chances of winning benefits?
Your two best strategies for success are to have strong medical records and to get professional help from a disability lawyer . The SSA may approve your application faster if you have robust medical documentation of your condition. Applicants with lawyers are also three times more likely to win benefits.
Is it easier to apply for SSDI or SSI?
SSDI and SSI use the same application and have the same medical requirements. The technical requirements (income and work history) do vary by program. If you’re unsure which to apply for, try for both and let the SSA decide which you technically qualify for.
Which will pay me more, SSI or SSDI?
SSDI pays more than SSI. The maximum possible SSDI benefit is $3,822 in 2024 but the maximum SSI benefit is only $943. You’re unlikely to get the maximum though. Learn more about how SSDI and SSI are calculated .
Does where I live affect how much I get from SSDI or SSI?
No, where you live doesn’t affect how your disability benefits are calculated . Average benefits amounts do vary by location but that’s only because of differences in income, work history, or other personal factors.
Find disability help in your state
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Other regions
Recommended Articles:
5 Signs That You Will be Approved for Disability
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for Disability Benefits?
Derek Silva
Data Journalist and Content Lead
See if you qualify See if you qualify How long has your condition made it hard to work?
About Us Mission Careers For Clients My Account Help Center Articles Fields of Law Disability Benefits Workers' Compensation For Lawyers Our Firm Lawyer Portal At the bottom of many websites, you'll find a small disclaimer: "We are not a law firm and are not qualified to give legal advice." If you see this, run the other way. These people can't help you: they're prohibited by law from giving meaningful advice, recommending specific lawyers, or even telling you whether you need a lawyer at all.
There’s no disclaimer here: Compass Disability is a law firm, and we are qualified to give legal advice. We can answer your most pressing questions, make clear recommendations, and search far and wide to find the right lawyer for you.
Two important things to note: If we give you legal advice, it will be through a lawyer on our staff communicating with you directly. (Don't make important decisions about your case based solely on this or any other website.) And if we take you on as a client, it will be through a document you sign. (No attorney-client relationship arises from using this site or calling us.)
- © 2026 Compass Disability
Terms | Privacy | California Privacy | CHD Policy | Disclaimer | This website is lawyer advertising.
Need help with your disability claim?
Our case advocates are available now — free advice, no commitment required.
See If You Qualify — Free