Where to File Your Disability Claim in Texas

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration, not through the state of Texas. Texas does not run its own disability program—the federal government handles all decisions. You can file in three ways: 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.

If you file online, you can start an process and save your progress to finish later. The online form takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. If you file by phone, a representative will walk you through the questions and submit the process for you. If you go to an office in person, bring the documents listed below and ask for an appointment—walk-ins are accepted but wait times are longer.

Texas has 24 Social Security field offices spread across the state. Find the one nearest you by entering your city or ZIP code at ssa.gov/locator. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though some have extended hours on certain days. Call ahead to confirm hours and ask whether you need an appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the Social Security Administration (not Texas), either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, medical records, and work history for the past 15 years.
  • The Social Security Administration makes the decision on your claim; Texas does not review or approve disability cases.
  • After you file, expect a decision within 3 to 6 months for SSDI or 1 to 3 months for SSI, though some cases take longer if the SSA requests more information.

Documents You Need Before You File

Gather these documents before you start your process. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance the SSA will ask you to send them later. If you do not have all of them, you can still file—the SSA will help you get what you are missing—but the review will take longer.

Identity and citizenship documents: Your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Citizenship proof can be a U.S. passport, naturalization papers, or a state ID. If you are not a citizen, bring your green card or work visa.

Medical records: Names and addresses of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you for your condition in the past three years. Include dates of visits and what you were treated for. If you have recent test results, imaging, or lab work, bring those too. The SSA will request your full medical file from your providers, but having this list ready helps them find the right records faster.

Work history: A list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including employer names, dates you worked, and how much you earned. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years. Bring your most recent W-2 or pay stub if you still work.

What Happens After You File

Once you submit your process, the SSA sends it to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Texas. This is a state agency that works for the federal government. The DDS office reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability.

You will receive a notice in the mail telling you that your claim was received. This notice includes a claim number. Write this number down—you will need it if you call to check on your case or if you need to appeal. The SSA will contact your doctors and request their records. This step usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

The DDS office then reviews everything and makes a decision. For SSDI, this usually takes 3 to 6 months. For SSI, it often takes 1 to 3 months, though cases involving property or income can take longer. You will receive a letter in the mail telling you whether you were approved or denied. If you are approved, the letter will say when your benefits start and how much you will receive each month.

The Difference Between SSDI and SSI in Texas

You may be filing for SSDI, SSI, or both. The difference matters because the rules are different, and you might may have access to for one but not the other.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. The amount you receive depends on how much you earned. There is no income or asset limit—you can have savings, own a home, or be married without losing benefits. If you are approved, you can work part-time and earn up to a certain amount ($1,550 per month in 2024, though this changes yearly) without losing your benefits.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is based on financial need, not work history. You can have no more than $2,000 in countable assets (the limit is $3,000 if you are married) and your monthly income must be below a certain threshold. In Texas, the SSI payment is $943 per month in 2024 for a single person, though this amount changes yearly. If you own a home or have a car, those do not count against your asset limit. If you are approved for SSI, you also become may be able to access for Medicaid in Texas.

Many people may have access to for both SSDI and SSI. If you do, you receive the SSDI amount first, and SSI makes up the difference if your SSDI payment is lower than the SSI limit.

What the Medical Review Looks Like

The DDS office does not make a decision based on your word alone. They review your medical records to see whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. They are looking for objective evidence: test results, imaging, doctor's notes, and treatment records. They also consider how long your condition has lasted and whether it is expected to last at least 12 months.

The DDS may send you to a doctor for a consultative exam. This is a free medical exam paid for by the SSA. The doctor will examine you and write a report for the DDS. You do not have to pay for this exam, and it does not mean your case is being denied—it is a normal part of the review. The SSA will tell you where and when to go.

If your condition is not well documented, the DDS may ask your doctor to fill out a form describing your symptoms, limitations, and prognosis. Your doctor may charge you for this, so ask first. The SSA cannot pay your doctor directly, but you can ask the SSA to send the form to your doctor and request that they complete it.

If Your Claim Is Denied

If you receive a denial letter, you have the right to appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the letter to request an appeal. There are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Most people who are initially denied are approved on appeal, so a denial is not final.

For reconsideration, the DDS office reviews your case again with any new medical evidence you provide. This is your chance to submit records from doctors you have seen since you filed, new test results, or a letter from your employer describing your limitations. Reconsideration usually takes 3 to 6 months.

If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is where many cases are approved. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. The judge will review your medical records and may ask you questions about your work history and daily activities. Hearings usually happen 12 to 18 months after you request one, though this varies by office.

Working While You Wait for a Decision

You can work while your claim is being reviewed. There is no rule against it. However, if you are earning substantial income, the SSA may deny your claim on the grounds that you are able to work. The SSA defines "substantial gainful activity" as earning more than $1,550 per month in 2024 (this amount changes yearly). If you earn less than this, you can usually continue working without affecting your claim.

If you are approved for SSDI, you can continue working and earn up to the substantial gainful activity amount without losing your benefits. If you earn more, your benefits stop, but you enter a nine-month trial work period where you can test your ability to work. After the trial work period, if you are still earning above the limit, your benefits end, but you can restart them if you stop working or drop below the limit.

If you are approved for SSI, any income you earn reduces your SSI payment. The first $65 per month does not count, and then the SSA counts half of what you earn above that. So if you earn $200 per month, $65 does not count, leaving $135, and half of that ($67.50) is subtracted from your SSI payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability in Texas if I have not worked in a long time?

For SSDI, you need recent work history—usually within the past 15 years. If you have not worked recently, you may not may have access to for SSDI, but you could still may have access to for SSI if your income and assets are low enough. File anyway and let the SSA determine which program you may have access to for.

What if I do not have a birth certificate or proof of citizenship?

You can still file. The SSA will help you get these documents. Bring whatever ID you have to your local Social Security office, and they will tell you what steps to take next. Do not delay filing while you search for documents.

How long does it take to hear back after I file?

For SSDI, most decisions come within 3 to 6 months. For SSI, it is often faster—1 to 3 months. Some cases take longer if the SSA needs more medical information or if your condition is complex. You can call 1-800-772-1213 to check on your case using your claim number.

Can I file for disability while I am still working?

Yes. There is no rule against filing while employed. However, if you are earning substantial income (more than $1,550 per month in 2024), the SSA may question whether you are truly unable to work. If you earn less than this amount, working should not affect your claim.

What if I disagree with the decision?

You have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to request reconsideration. This is a free appeal where the DDS office reviews your case again. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before a judge. Most people who are denied initially are approved on one of the appeal levels.