Where to File Disability in Texas

You file for federal disability benefits—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. You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

If you are already receiving benefits and need help with a Texas-specific issue—such as Medicaid coverage or work incentives—you will work with the state. But the initial disability information comes from Social Security, which uses the same rules nationwide.

Texas has a higher cost of living in some areas (Austin, Dallas, Houston) than others, which affects how much SSI you can receive if you are found disabled. The federal SSI payment amount is the same everywhere, but Texas does not add a state supplement, so you receive only the federal amount.

Key Takeaways

  • You file for SSDI or SSI through the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a local office—not through Texas state government.
  • Social Security will ask for medical records, work history, and proof of your condition; gathering these documents before you file speeds up the process.
  • The decision typically takes three to six months; if denied, you can request reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge.
  • Texas offers Medicaid to people on SSI and some SSDI recipients, and work incentive programs that let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready.
  • Once approved, you become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months on SSDI, or when ready on SSI in most cases.

What Documents You Need Before Filing

Social Security will ask for specific documents. Gather them before you file so your case does not stall waiting for records. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID), and your most recent tax return or W-2.

Medical records are the core of your case. Collect recent records from every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, or specialist who has treated your condition in the past three to five years. Include test results, imaging reports, therapy notes, and medication lists. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may order a consultative exam at no cost to you, but this delays your case by weeks.

You will also need a work history: the names and dates of your last jobs, what you did, and how much you earned. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years. If you receive workers' compensation or are in a lawsuit over your condition, tell Social Security—these can affect your SSDI or SSI amount.

The Three Stages of the Decision Process

Social Security reviews your case in stages. Understanding where you are in the process helps you know what to expect next and whether you need to take action.

Initial information is the first review. A disability examiner at the Texas Disability information Services office (a state agency that works for Social Security) reads your medical records and decides whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. This stage takes 30 to 90 days. You will receive a letter saying you are approved or denied.

Reconsideration is your first appeal if you are denied. A different examiner reviews your entire case from scratch. You can submit new medical records or statements from your doctors. This stage takes another 30 to 90 days. Most people are still denied at this stage, but new evidence can change the outcome.

Hearing before an administrative law judge is your second appeal. You meet with a judge (by phone or video, usually) who listens to your testimony and your doctor's testimony if you have one. The judge can see things the examiners missed. Hearings happen 12 to 18 months after you request one, and about 60 percent of people are approved at this stage. Many people hire a disability lawyer for the hearing.

How to File Online, by Phone, or In Person

Filing online is the fastest route. Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and create a my Social Security account. You will answer questions about your medical condition, work history, and living situation. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes. You can save your progress and return later. When you submit, Social Security sends you a confirmation number.

If you prefer to file by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf or hard of hearing). A representative will walk you through the questions and file your process. The call takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number and a date to expect your decision letter.

You can also walk into your local Social Security office in Texas without an appointment, though wait times vary. Offices in larger cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) are busier. Call ahead to ask about wait times, or use the office locator at ssa.gov/locator to find the office nearest you and check hours.

What Happens After You File

Within two weeks, Social Security sends you a letter confirming your process and asking you to submit medical records. Do not wait for them to request records—send them yourself as soon as you file. Mail them to the address on your confirmation letter, or upload them through your my Social Security account if you created one.

Social Security may contact your doctors directly to request records. This can take weeks. If your doctor's office is slow, call and ask them to send records to Social Security faster. You can also sign a release form (Form SSA-827) and deliver records yourself.

About 30 days after you file, you will receive a letter asking you to complete a function report—a form describing what you can and cannot do physically and mentally. Answer honestly and in detail. This form is often more important than medical records in determining whether you are disabled.

Once Social Security has your records and function report, the examiner makes a decision. You will receive a letter in the mail. If approved, the letter tells you your benefit amount and when payments start. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to appeal.

Texas Medicaid and Work Incentives for People on Disability

If you are approved for SSI in Texas, you are automatically enrolled in Medicaid. If you are approved for SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months. Some people on SSDI also may have access to for Medicaid if their income is low enough; ask Social Security whether you do.

Texas offers work incentive programs that let you return to work without losing benefits when ready. The most common is Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without affecting your SSI. For example, if you want to start a business or go to school, PASS lets you save money for that goal while staying on SSI.

Another program is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which lets you deduct the cost of items or services you need to work because of your disability—such as a wheelchair, medication, or transportation—from your earnings before Social Security counts your income. This can keep your benefits higher while you work.

Ask your local Social Security office or a work incentive planning and information (WIPA) project about these programs. Texas has WIPA projects in major cities that offer free counseling on how to work while on disability.

What to Do If You Are Denied

About 65 to 70 percent of people are denied at the initial stage. A denial does not mean you are not disabled—it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. Do this in writing or online through your my Social Security account. Include new medical records if you have them, or a letter from your doctor explaining why your condition is disabling. If you have started treatment since you filed, include those records too.

If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request a hearing. At the hearing, you can testify about how your condition affects your daily life and work. Many people hire a disability lawyer at this stage. Lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent) only if you win. You can find a lawyer through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or ask your local legal aid office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability while I am still working?

Yes. Social Security does not require you to stop working to file. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), Social Security may assume you are not disabled. If you are working but earning little, or if your condition is worsening, file anyway and explain your situation in your function report.

How long does it take to get approved?

Initial information takes 30 to 90 days. If denied and you appeal, reconsideration takes another 30 to 90 days. A hearing takes 12 to 18 months to schedule. Some people are approved at the initial stage; others wait two years or more. Submitting complete medical records speeds up the process.

What if I do not have recent medical records?

Social Security can order a free consultative exam with a doctor of their choice. This delays your case by four to eight weeks, but it provides the medical evidence you need. If you have not seen a doctor in years, consider seeing one before you file so you have current records.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file and appeal without a lawyer. However, lawyers are most helpful at the hearing stage, where about 60 percent of people are approved. If you are denied twice and planning to appeal, a lawyer increases your chances significantly and costs nothing upfront.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is based on your work history and Social Security taxes you paid. SSI is based on financial need and has income and resource limits. You may may have access to for one, both, or neither depending on your age, work history, and income. Social Security determines which you may have access to for when you file.