What Texas residents need to know about SSDI may be able to access

SSDI may be able to access in Texas follows the same federal rules as every other state—there is no separate Texas version of the program. The Social Security Administration runs SSDI nationwide, so your location does not change whether you meet the basic requirements: you must have a medical condition that prevents substantial work, you must have worked long enough to build work credits, and your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

What does change by state is the cost of living, which affects how much money you might need to live on while your case is being decided, and which local doctors and hospitals Social Security will send you to for medical exams. Texas also has its own Medicaid program, which works alongside SSDI in ways specific to Texas rules. But the decision about whether you meet SSDI's medical and work-credit requirements happens in Baltimore, not Austin.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires you to have worked enough quarters to build work credits, have a medical condition that stops you from working, and expect that condition to last 12 months or longer.
  • Texas has no separate SSDI rules, but your local Social Security office in Texas will handle your case and may refer you to Texas doctors for medical exams.
  • If you are denied, you can request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge in Texas, and then appeal further.
  • While your SSDI case is pending, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your income and resources fall below Texas limits.

The work-credit requirement in Texas

You need a certain number of work credits to may have access to for SSDI, and this requirement does not change in Texas. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. You earn one credit for every $1,640 of wages you report to Social Security in a year (this dollar amount changes annually). You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, so the 20-credit requirement typically means you need to have worked roughly five of the last ten years.

If you became disabled before age 24, the rules are looser—you may need only six credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you are between 24 and 31, you generally need credits equal to half the quarters between age 21 and the quarter you became disabled, with a minimum of six credits.

To check your work-credit record, you can create an account at ssa.gov and view your earnings history. If you see errors—wages you earned but Social Security did not record—you have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year you earned them to report the mistake. In Texas, you can report errors at your local Social Security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How Social Security evaluates your medical condition

Social Security has a list of conditions called the Blue Book that describes what level of severity qualifies for SSDI. If your condition matches one of these listings exactly, approval is faster. But you do not have to match a listing—you can still be approved if your condition is severe enough to prevent any substantial work, even if it is not on the list.

Social Security will order medical records from your doctors and may send you to a doctor they choose for an exam. In Texas, this exam is usually free to you. The examiner writes a report about your condition, your functional limits, and whether you can do work-related activities like sitting, standing, lifting, or concentrating. Social Security uses this report along with your own medical records to decide whether your condition meets their standard.

You do not need to prove you cannot work at all—only that you cannot do substantial gainful activity, which Social Security defines as earning more than a certain monthly amount (this amount changes yearly and is currently around $1,550 per month). If you are earning more than this while your case is pending, Social Security will likely deny you.

The Texas Social Security office and your local case

Texas has multiple Social Security field offices where you can file your SSDI case in person, by phone, or online. The office that handles your case depends on where you live. You can find your local office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Staff at your local office can help you gather documents, answer questions about the process, and explain what happens next.

Your case is assigned to a disability examiner who works for the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Texas. This is a state agency that contracts with Social Security to make the initial decision on your case. The examiner reviews your medical records, work history, and the medical exam report, then writes a decision. This usually takes 30 to 90 days, though cases with clear medical evidence or those matching a Blue Book listing may be faster.

If you are denied at this stage, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner at the same DDS office. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. These hearings often happen by videoconference in Texas, though you can request an in-person hearing if you prefer.

SSI while you wait for SSDI approval

While your SSDI case is pending, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if your income and resources are low enough. SSI is a separate program that does not require work credits—it is based on financial need. In Texas, the SSI income limit is currently $943 per month for an individual (this amount changes yearly). Your resources—savings, property, vehicles—must be under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.

If you receive SSI while your SSDI case is pending and you are later approved for SSDI, Social Security will usually convert your case to SSDI and you will receive SSDI benefits going forward. The SSI payments you received do not have to be repaid. However, if your SSDI benefit amount is lower than the SSI amount you received, Social Security may ask you to repay the difference.

To explore for SSI in Texas, you can file at your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. You will need to provide proof of income, resources, citizenship or immigration status, and medical information.

Texas Medicaid and SSDI

If you are approved for SSDI in Texas, you become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months of receiving SSDI benefits. However, Texas also offers Medicaid to people with disabilities, and you may be able to receive both programs at the same time. Texas Medicaid has its own income and resource limits that are different from SSI limits, so you might may have access to for Medicaid even if you do not may have access to for SSI.

To explore for Texas Medicaid, you can file through the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) at yourtexasbenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1. You can explore for SSDI and Texas Medicaid at the same time. Having Medicaid while your SSDI case is pending means your medical care is covered, which can help you gather the medical evidence Social Security needs to make a decision.

What happens if you are denied

If Social Security denies your SSDI case, you have the right to appeal. The first step is reconsideration, which you must request within 60 days of the denial letter. Reconsideration sends your case to a different examiner who reviews it from the beginning. About 15 percent of cases are approved at reconsideration.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This hearing usually happens within 75 to 90 days of your request in Texas, though wait times vary by office. You can represent yourself or bring a representative—a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a family member. Many people find that having representation improves their chances. If you hire a lawyer, Social Security limits what they can charge to 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200.

If the ALJ denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council in Arlington, Virginia. If the Appeals Council denies you, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. At each stage, you have 60 days to file your appeal from the date on your denial letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Texas to get SSDI?

No. SSDI is a federal program and you can receive it anywhere in the United States. If you move out of Texas after you are approved, your benefits continue. You can also file for SSDI while living outside Texas if you have a Social Security number and a U.S. work history.

Can I work while my SSDI case is pending?

You can work, but if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity amount (currently around $1,550 per month), Social Security will likely deny your case. If you earn less than this amount, you can work and still be approved. Report all work income to Social Security when you file.

How long does it take to get approved for SSDI in Texas?

The initial decision usually takes 30 to 90 days. If you are denied and request reconsideration, that takes another 30 to 90 days. If you request a hearing, the wait is typically 75 to 90 days in Texas, though some offices have longer waits. The entire process from filing to a final decision can take one to three years.

What if I have a criminal record or immigration issues?

A criminal record does not disqualify you from SSDI. Immigration status can affect SSI but not SSDI—if you have a work history and work credits, you can receive SSDI regardless of immigration status. However, you must have a valid Social Security number to receive any benefits.

Can I get SSDI for a mental health condition?

Yes. Mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can may have access to for SSDI if they are severe enough to prevent work. Social Security will need medical records from a mental health provider, documentation of your treatment history, and evidence of how the condition affects your ability to work.