Too sick or hurt to work? Idiart Law Group helps people across Washington apply for Social Security disability benefits and appeal denials. Our clients are approved at over 2x higher rates than the national average. You pay No Fee Until We Win.
How Washington Stacks Up
Numbers from the Social Security Administration. They show how common disability claims are in Washington, and how the process tends to go.
disabled workers in Washington receive Social Security Disability Insurance.
December 2025of Washington residents aged 18 to 64 receive Social Security disability benefits. Nationwide it is 3.5%.
December 2025average monthly benefit for a disabled worker in Washington. Nationwide it is $1,633.
December 2025of first applications in Washington were approved. Nationwide it was 36%.
Fiscal year 2026of first appeals, called reconsiderations, were approved in Washington. Nationwide it was 15%.
Fiscal year 2026of the cases judges decided at the Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane hearing offices were approvals. Nationwide it was 58%.
Fiscal year 2026average wait for a hearing at the offices that serve Washington.
September 2026What These Numbers Mean for You
About 7 of every 10 first applications in Washington are turned down. A denial is not the end of your claim. You can appeal, and you generally have 60 days after you receive the decision to do it.
The appeals take patience. The first appeal is called reconsideration. After that come a hearing with a judge, the Appeals Council, and federal court. We handle each step with you, so you are not doing this alone.
How Our Washington Disability Team Helps
1. We apply with you
Social Security's own advice is to apply as soon as you become disabled. We fill out the forms with you and gather your medical records.
2. We appeal a denial
You generally have 60 days after you receive a denial to appeal. We file the appeal and tell Social Security about new treatment, new tests and new doctors.
3. We go to the hearing with you
If your claim reaches a judge, we prepare you and present your case. Social Security has hearing offices in Washington: Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane.
SSDI or SSI?
Social Security Disability Insurance
People with a disability who worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security.
The monthly payment is based on your work history.
Supplemental Security Income
People with a disability, blindness, or age 65 or older who have little income and few resources.
It is based on financial need, not work history.
Some people qualify for both at the same time. We check both.
Hearing Offices That Serve Washington
Social Security has hearing offices in Washington: Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. These are Social Security's own figures.
| Hearing office | Average wait for a hearing (September 2026) | Share of decisions that were approvals (fiscal year 2026) | Approvals of decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 8 months | 55% | 759 of 1,370 |
| Tacoma | 8 months | 57% | 1,027 of 1,796 |
| Spokane | 9 months | 70% | 1,019 of 1,456 |
Nationwide, judges approved 58% of the cases they decided in fiscal year 2026.
Washington Disability Questions
How long does a Social Security disability claim take in Washington?
Social Security says an initial decision generally takes 6 to 8 months. If you are denied and appeal, each level adds more time. In September 2026, the average wait for a hearing was 8 months at the Seattle office, 8 months at the Tacoma office and 9 months at the Spokane office. Social Security Disability Insurance also has a five month waiting period before payments can begin. We keep your claim moving and tell you where it stands.
My disability claim was denied. What can I do?
A denial is not the end of your claim. You can appeal, and you generally have 60 days after you receive the decision to do it. The first appeal is called reconsideration. After that come a hearing with a judge, the Appeals Council, and federal court. In Washington, 34 of every 100 first applications were approved in fiscal year 2026, so a denial is common. Call or text (855) 772-6969 and we file the appeal with you.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people with a disability who worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with a disability, blindness, or age 65 or older who have little income and few resources. Some people qualify for both at the same time. We look at both when we review your claim.
Which hearing office will hear my Washington case?
Social Security has hearing offices in Washington: Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane. Which office handles your case depends on the Social Security field office that serves your address. If your claim reaches a hearing, we prepare you for it and present your case to the judge.
What does it cost to hire Idiart Law Group?
The consultation is free, and you pay No Fee Until We Win. Call or text (855) 772-6969 to get started.
Do I have to come to an office?
No. Our disability team works with clients across Washington by phone and text, and you can start online. Disability claims run through the federal Social Security system, so we can help wherever you live in the state.
Talk With Our Washington Disability Team
The consultation is free. You pay No Fee Until We Win.
Where the Numbers Come From
- Social Security Administration, Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2025 (released October 2026), Tables 8, 9 and 16 (December 2025). https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2025/sect01b.html
- Social Security Administration, State Agency Monthly Workload Data (SSA-SA-MOWL.csv), all initial claims and all reconsiderations, summed October 2025 through September 2026 (fiscal year 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/disability/data/ssa-sa-mowl.htm
- Social Security Administration, Average Wait Time Until Hearing Held Report (September 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/01_NetStat_Report.html
- Social Security Administration, ALJ Disposition Data, fiscal year 2026 (09-27-2025 through 09-25-2026). Awards divided by decisions, added up across the judges listed for each hearing office. Computed by us from SSA's table (fiscal year 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html
- Social Security Administration, Hearing Office Locator (which hearing offices serve field offices in each state) (read November 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/appeals/ho_locator.html
These are statewide and office figures about past decisions. They do not predict the result of any one claim.