Where to Start Your process in Texas
You can explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through three routes: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. Texas has 48 Social Security field offices spread across the state — you can find the one nearest you by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator.
The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return to it later. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and your Social Security card; no appointment is required, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
Texas does not have a separate state disability program — all applications go through Social Security. The Social Security Administration (SSA) handles the entire process, including the medical review that determines whether you meet the disability standard.
Key Takeaways
- You can start your SSDI or SSI process online, by phone, or at a Texas Social Security office, and the online route is usually fastest.
- You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment history.
- The SSA sends your process to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Austin, which makes the medical decision within 30 to 90 days on average.
- If you are denied, you have 60 days to request reconsideration; if reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- While your process is pending, you can work and earn up to the substantial gainful activity limit without affecting your case.
Documents You Need Before You explore
Gather these documents before you start your process. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency (a passport, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card). If you were born outside the U.S., bring the document that shows your immigration status.
Bring or upload medical records that show your condition, when it started, and what treatment you have received. This includes doctor's notes, hospital discharge summaries, lab results, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), and mental health evaluations if your condition involves depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric diagnoses. If you see multiple doctors, collect records from all of them.
You will also need a list of your medications (the name, dose, and how often you take each one) and the names and addresses of all doctors, clinics, and hospitals that have treated you in the past 12 months. If you have not seen a doctor recently, the SSA may ask you to get a medical exam; they will pay for it.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
Once you submit your process, the SSA sends it to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Austin. This office is staffed by disability examiners and medical consultants who review your medical records and decide whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability. The review usually takes 30 to 90 days, though it can take longer if your case is complex or if the DDS needs more medical information.
During this time, the DDS may contact your doctors to request additional records or clarification about your condition. You can call the DDS office at 1-800-252-8955 to check on your case status, but you will need your Social Security number and case number (which you receive when you explore).
You will receive a written decision in the mail. The letter will say whether you were approved or denied, and it will explain the reason. If you were approved, it will tell you when your benefits begin and how much you will receive each month.
Understanding the Medical Decision Process
The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether you meet the disability standard. Step one checks whether you are working and earning more than $1,550 per month (as of 2024; this amount changes yearly). If you are, you are usually not considered disabled. Step two checks whether your medical condition is severe — meaning it significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities like sitting, standing, lifting, or concentrating.
Step three compares your condition to the SSA's list of impairments (called the "Blue Book"). If your condition matches or exceeds the severity of a listed impairment, you are approved. If not, the examiner moves to step four, which asks whether you can do the work you did in the past 15 years. If you cannot, step five asks whether you can do any other work that exists in the national economy, given your age, education, and work history.
The decision is based entirely on medical evidence. The examiner does not interview you or make a judgment call — they follow the rules and the medical records. This is why complete medical documentation is so important. If your records are thin or outdated, the decision is more likely to be denial.
Timeline From process to First Payment
| Stage | Typical Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| process submitted | Day 1 | You receive a case number and are told when to expect a decision. |
| DDS review | 30 to 90 days | The Austin DDS office reviews your medical records and makes a decision. |
| Decision mailed | Day 30–90 | You receive a letter approving or denying your claim. |
| Approval processing | 2 to 4 weeks after approval | SSA calculates your benefit amount and sets up payment. |
| First payment | Up to 5 months after approval | Your first check or direct deposit arrives. SSDI has a five-month waiting period; SSI does not. |
What to Do If Your process Is Denied
If you receive a denial letter, you have 60 days from the date on the letter to request reconsideration. This is a free second review by a different examiner at the DDS office. You can request reconsideration by phone (1-800-772-1213), online at ssa.gov, or in person at your local Social Security office. When you request reconsideration, submit any new medical records you have gathered since your first process.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This hearing is held by video or phone, and you can bring a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) to speak for you. The hearing usually happens 4 to 6 months after you request it. You have 60 days from the reconsideration denial to request a hearing.
Many people are approved on appeal, especially if they have submitted stronger medical evidence or have worked with a representative who knows how to present their case. Do not assume a denial is final.
Working While Your process Is Pending
You can work and earn money while your process is being reviewed. The SSA does not penalize you for working during the process process. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the substantial gainful activity limit for 2024), the SSA may use that as evidence that you are not disabled, so keep your earnings documented and be prepared to explain any work you do.
If you are approved for SSDI, you enter a nine-month trial work period during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, you can continue working, but if you earn more than $1,550 per month, your benefits will stop. If you stop working and your earnings drop below the limit, you can request that benefits restart without filing a new process.
If you are approved for SSI, the rules are stricter. SSI is a needs-based program, and your benefits are reduced if you earn more than $65 per month (plus certain exclusions). Work incentives exist to help SSI recipients stay employed, but you should contact your local Social Security office to understand how work affects your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to explore for disability in Texas?
No, you can explore on your own. However, if your process is denied and you request a hearing, having a representative (lawyer or advocate) increases your chances of approval. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you became disabled to when you were approved), up to $7,200.
How long does it take to get approved for disability in Texas?
The initial decision usually takes 30 to 90 days. If you are approved, your first payment arrives within 5 months (SSDI has a five-month waiting period; SSI does not). If you are denied and appeal, reconsideration takes another 30 to 90 days, and a hearing can take 4 to 6 months or longer.
Can I explore for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?
Yes. SSDI is based on your work history; SSI is based on financial need. You may be approved for one, both, or neither. The SSA will review you for both programs if you explore, and you will receive separate decisions for each.
What if I do not have complete medical records?
Contact your doctors and ask them to send records to the SSA. If you have not seen a doctor recently, the SSA may schedule a consultative examination (CE) at no cost to you. The CE is a one-time visit with a doctor chosen by the SSA to gather medical evidence for your case.
Can I check the status of my process online?
Yes. Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you log in, you can view your process status, see the documents the SSA has received, and check your benefit payment history if you are already receiving benefits.