Where to File Your Disability Claim in Texas
You file for disability benefits through Social Security, not through the state of Texas. The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs the two main disability programs — Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — and they work the same way in Texas as they do everywhere else. Texas does not have a separate state disability program that you explore for instead.
You have three ways to file: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is fastest if you have a Social Security number and basic information ready. The phone line has longer wait times but a representative can walk you through the questions. In-person filing at a local office takes the longest to schedule but lets you hand over documents and ask questions face-to-face.
To find your nearest Social Security office in Texas, go to ssa.gov/locator, enter your city or zip code, and call ahead to ask about wait times. Many offices now require an appointment rather than walk-ins.
Key Takeaways
- You file through Social Security, not Texas state government, using ssa.gov, 1-800-772-1213, or your local office.
- You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition and treatment.
- The online process takes 15 to 20 minutes if you have documents ready; phone and in-person filing take longer but offer real-time help.
- After you file, Social Security sends your case to the Disability information Services office in Austin, which takes 3 to 6 months to make a decision.
- If denied, you can appeal; most people who appeal with a lawyer or representative win on the second or third try.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Gather these documents before you file, whether online, by phone, or in person. You do not have to submit them all at once — you can file first and send them later — but having them ready speeds up the process.
Identity and citizenship: Your Social Security card or a document showing your number, your birth certificate, and proof you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident (passport, green card, or visa). If you were born outside the U.S., bring the original or certified copy of your birth certificate.
Medical records: Records from every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, or specialist who has treated you for the condition that keeps you from working. Include dates of visits, test results, diagnoses, and what medications you take. If you see a doctor regularly, ask their office to send your full medical file to Social Security — do not rely on memory or summaries.
Work history: A list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, dates you worked there, and what you did. You do not need pay stubs, but having them helps if there are gaps or questions about your earnings.
Filing Online at SSA.gov
Go to ssa.gov and look for "explore for Disability" in the main menu. You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one already. The account requires your email, a password, and answers to security questions. This takes about 5 minutes.
Once logged in, start the disability process. The form asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information, and details about your medical condition. It will ask when your condition started, what doctors you see, and whether you have worked in the past 15 years. Answer as completely as you can — vague answers slow down the review.
At the end, you will see a list of documents Social Security wants you to send. You can upload them right then using a camera or scanner, or you can file now and mail them later. If you mail them, include a cover letter with your name and Social Security number so they go to the right file. Mail to the address Social Security gives you on the confirmation page.
You will get a confirmation number when you submit. Write it down. Social Security will send you a letter in the mail within 2 weeks confirming they received your process.
Filing by Phone or In Person
Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning or late in the afternoon. A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form — your medical history, work history, and current symptoms. The call takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on how complex your case is.
At the end of the call, the representative will tell you what documents to mail in and give you an address. They will also give you a confirmation number. Ask them to spell it and repeat it back to make sure you have it right.
To file in person, call your local Social Security office to make an appointment. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, proof of citizenship, and as many medical records as you can carry. The office will make copies and keep them in your file. The appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. You will leave with a confirmation number and a list of any documents they still need.
What Happens After You File
Social Security sends your process to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Austin. This office is separate from Social Security and makes the actual decision about whether you are disabled under the law. You will not hear from them directly — all communication comes through Social Security.
The DDS office will request your medical records from your doctors and hospitals. This can take 4 to 8 weeks. If your doctors are slow to respond, Social Security may contact you and ask you to get the records yourself and send them in.
Once DDS has your records, a disability examiner and a doctor review your file. They are looking for medical evidence that your condition prevents you from doing any work, not just your old job. This review takes 1 to 3 months. You may be asked to go to a medical exam paid for by Social Security if your records are incomplete.
You will get a decision letter in the mail. If approved, the letter says what your monthly payment will be and when it starts. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to appeal. Do not throw away the denial letter — you need it to file an appeal.
Timeline From Filing to Decision
| Stage | What Happens | How Long |
|---|---|---|
| Filing | You submit your process online, by phone, or in person | Same day |
| Confirmation | Social Security sends you a letter confirming receipt | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Records request | DDS asks your doctors for medical records | Starts when ready; doctors respond over 4 to 8 weeks |
| Review | Disability examiner and doctor review your file and medical evidence | 1 to 3 months |
| Decision | You receive approval or denial letter in the mail | 3 to 6 months total from filing |
These timelines are typical but not may provide. Cases with incomplete medical records or complex medical histories take longer. Cases where you have recent, detailed medical evidence move faster.
What to Do If You Are Denied
If Social Security denies your claim, you have the right to appeal. You do not need a lawyer to appeal, but most people who win on appeal have a lawyer or representative helping them. The appeal process has four levels: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court.
You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. You can do this online, by phone, or in person using the same methods as your original process. At reconsideration, a different examiner reviews your file. You can submit new medical records that you did not have before. Reconsideration takes 2 to 4 months.
If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where most people win if they have a lawyer. You can present new evidence and a judge will listen to your case. Hearings take 4 to 12 months to schedule, depending on how busy the judge is in your area.
If you lose at the hearing, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the judge's decision. If the Appeals Council denies you, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. These later stages are rare and usually only happen if your case is very complex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for disability while I am still working?
Yes. Social Security does not require you to stop working before you file. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 limit, which changes yearly), Social Security may say you are not disabled because you are working at a substantial level. If you are working but your condition is getting worse, file anyway and explain in your process why you cannot keep working.
Do I need a lawyer to file for disability in Texas?
No. You can file on your own and many people do. A lawyer is most useful if you are denied and need to appeal. Lawyers who handle disability cases work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent) only if you win. You do not pay upfront.
What if I do not have all my medical records?
File anyway. Social Security will request your records from your doctors. If your doctors do not respond quickly, Social Security will contact you and ask you to get the records yourself. You can also call your doctor's office and ask them to send records directly to Social Security — give them the address from your confirmation letter.
How much will I get paid if I am approved?
Your monthly payment depends on how much you earned before you became disabled. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but payments range from under $700 to over $3,800. SSI payments are lower and vary by state. Your approval letter will tell you exactly what you will receive.
Can I work while receiving disability benefits?
Yes, but there are limits. For SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month (2024 limit) without losing benefits. For SSI, the limit is lower. If you earn more, your benefits reduce or stop. Social Security has a program called Ticket to Work that lets you test returning to work without when ready losing benefits — ask about it when you are approved.