Address, phone and hours
| Address | Citadel Building, 19th Floor, 131 S. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60603 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (866) 964-1719 |
| Fax | (833) 619-0566 |
| eFile fax | (877) 670-6914 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 8866, London, KY 40742-9570 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
This office holds hearings before administrative law judges. It does not issue Social Security cards or take new benefit applications: for that, visit your local Social Security field office in Illinois.
How long is the wait at the Chicago hearing office?
SSA measures average processing time as the number of days from the hearing request to the final disposition, for all cases completed at each hearing office in the reporting period. The national figure shown here is the average across offices weighted by their dispositions. At Chicago Hearing Office it is currently slower than the national average. Your own case can move faster or slower depending on when you filed, whether more medical evidence is needed and the judge's calendar. See how every office compares in hearing wait times by office.
Judges at the Chicago hearing office and approval rates
These are the administrative law judges (ALJs) listed for Chicago Hearing Office in SSA's FY 2026 disposition data. The approval rate is the share of decisions that were fully or partially favorable; dismissals are not counted as decisions. The office average was 54%, against 58% nationally.
| Judge | Decisions | Approved | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Laskaris | 319 | 52% | |
| Carla Suffi | 313 | 64% | |
| Margaret A Carey | 299 | 48% | |
| Jordan Garelick | 284 | 39% | |
| Nathan Mellman | 280 | 39% | |
| Michael Logan | 278 | 69% | |
| David Skidmore | 267 | 61% | |
| Brian Saame | 75 | 65% |
Which field offices send cases to Chicago Hearing Office?
According to SSA, Chicago Hearing Office handles hearings for people served by these Social Security field offices:
ILLINOIS: Chicago (Back of the Yards), Chicago (East), Chicago (Lawndale), Chicago (Loop), Chicago (Near Northwest/West Town), Chicago (Near Southwest), Chicago (South), Chicago (Southeast), Chicago (West)
If your local office is not listed, your hearing is handled elsewhere: check the Illinois hearing offices.
How to request a hearing at this office
- Your claim must first be denied at reconsideration.
- Request the hearing within 60 days of receiving the reconsideration denial (SSA presumes you received it 5 days after the date on the letter), online at ssa.gov or with form HA-501.
- The hearing office acknowledges your request and sends a notice about the ways to attend: in person, by video or by phone.
- You receive the Notice of Hearing at least 75 days before the hearing date.
- Send any remaining evidence at least 5 business days before the hearing. What happens at the hearing.
The previous decisions in Illinois are made by the Bureau of Disability Services. Full walkthrough: how to appeal a disability denial and what happens at the hearing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number of the Chicago hearing office?
The Chicago Hearing Office phone number is (866) 964-1719. Fax: (833) 619-0566.
Where is the Chicago Social Security hearing office?
Chicago Hearing Office is located at Citadel Building, 19th Floor, 131 S. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603.
How long is the wait for a disability hearing in Chicago?
According to SSA data for FY 2026 through July 31, 2026, the average processing time at Chicago Hearing Office is 297 days (about 9.8 months), slower than the national average of 261 days.
What is the approval rate at the Chicago hearing office?
In FY 2026, judges at Chicago Hearing Office approved 54% of the cases they decided (fully or partially favorable), versus 58% nationally.
Can I have my hearing by phone or video?
Yes. SSA offers hearings in person, by agency video, by online video (Microsoft Teams, only if you agree on form HA-56) and by phone. You can tell the hearing office which option you prefer.
Is this the same as the Illinois DDS?
No. The Bureau of Disability Services (DDS) makes the initial and reconsideration decisions. The hearing office handles the next step, the hearing before an administrative law judge.