The Two Paths to Disability in Texas

Texas does not run its own disability program. Instead, you explore for federal benefits through Social Security — either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a work history, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have limited income and resources. Both are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and both require you to prove you cannot work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

The process process is the same regardless of which program you may be found to meet. You start with Social Security, not with the state of Texas. Texas does run programs that supplement federal benefits — like TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) and Medicaid — but those come after you have been approved for federal disability, not before.

Understanding which program fits your situation and how to move through the process stages will save you time and reduce the chance of denial on a technicality.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore for federal disability through Social Security, not through Texas, by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office in person.
  • SSDI requires a work history and Social Security credits; SSI requires low income and resources but no work history.
  • The SSA will ask for medical records, work history, and details about your daily activities; gathering these before you explore speeds up the process.
  • Texas Medicaid covers people approved for SSI automatically; SSDI recipients may may have access to for Medicaid under Texas rules after a waiting period.
  • If Social Security denies you, you have 60 days to file a written appeal; most people who appeal with a lawyer or advocate win at the hearing stage.

SSDI vs. SSI: Which Program You May may have access to For

SSDI is based on your own work record. You earn Social Security credits by working and paying payroll taxes. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they become disabled. If you meet that threshold and your medical condition meets SSA's definition of disability, you can receive SSDI regardless of how much money you have in the bank or how much your spouse earns.

SSI is a needs-based program. You do not need a work history. Instead, SSI looks at your current income and resources. In 2024, the federal limit is $943 per month in income and $2,000 in countable resources for an individual (these figures change yearly). If you are below those limits and your medical condition meets SSA's definition of disability, you may receive SSI. Texas adds a small state supplement to the federal SSI payment, though the amount varies.

You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if your SSDI payment is low enough. Social Security will tell you during the process process whether you may be found to meet the requirements for one, the other, or both.

How to Start Your process

You have three ways to begin: by phone, in person, or online. The fastest route for most people is to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can request an process appointment over the phone, and a representative will schedule a time for you to come in or conduct the interview by phone.

If you prefer to start online, go to ssa.gov and look for "explore for Disability." You can fill out an online process for SSDI or SSI without leaving home. The online form takes 15 to 20 minutes and you can save your progress and return later.

You can also walk into any Social Security office in Texas and ask to file. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though some close for lunch. Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and a photo ID. If you do not have these documents, Social Security can help you gather them, but the process will take longer.

What Social Security Will Ask For

During your process interview, Social Security will ask detailed questions about your medical condition, your work history, and how your condition affects your daily life. Have the following information ready:

  • Medical records: Names and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you. Dates of visits. Names of medications you take. Social Security will request records directly from providers, but having this list ready speeds things up.
  • Work history: Dates you worked at each job, job titles, and the names of employers. If you worked for yourself, information about your business income.
  • Daily activities: How your condition affects what you can do — can you sit for long periods, lift objects, concentrate, remember instructions, interact with others. Be specific. "I cannot work" is less useful than "I have severe pain when sitting more than 30 minutes" or "I lose track of conversations and forget what I was told."
  • Education and training: Highest grade completed, any vocational training or licenses.
  • Income and resources (for SSI only): Bank account balances, property you own, vehicles, life insurance, and any income from work, pensions, or other sources.

Gather medical records before you explore if you can. Ask your doctor's office to send copies to Social Security once you have filed. If records are missing or incomplete, Social Security will request them, but this delays a decision by weeks or months.

The Medical Review and Decision Timeline

After you file, Social Security sends your case to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in Texas. DDS is a state agency that works under contract with Social Security to review medical evidence and make the initial decision on your case.

DDS will review your medical records, may request additional records from your doctors, and may schedule you for a consultative exam (a medical evaluation paid for by Social Security). The entire process typically takes 3 to 6 months, though complex cases can take longer.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will tell you your benefit amount and when payments begin. If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason and tell you how to appeal.

What Happens After Approval in Texas

Once you are approved for SSDI or SSI, you become may be able to access for health coverage. SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Texas Medicaid with no separate process needed. SSDI recipients must wait 24 months from the date their benefits begin before they become may be able to access for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance); they can purchase Medicare Part B (doctor visits) during this waiting period.

Texas also offers programs that work alongside federal disability benefits. TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) provides cash information to families with children; if you receive SSDI or SSI and have a child under 18, you may be able to receive TANF as well. SNAP (food information) is available to people receiving SSI or SSDI with low income. explore for these programs through your local Texas Health and Human Services office or online at yourtexasbenefits.com.

If you return to work, Social Security has work incentives that let you earn money without losing all your benefits. These include the Trial Work Period (9 months where you can earn any amount without affecting benefits) and Extended may be able to access (continued Medicaid or Medicare even if your earnings are too high for cash benefits). Tell Social Security before you start working so they can explain which incentives explore to you.

If Social Security Denies Your Claim

Denial is common on the first process — roughly 65 to 70 percent of initial applications are denied. A denial does not mean you cannot receive benefits; it means Social Security did not find enough medical evidence that your condition meets their definition of disability, or that you did not provide enough information about your work history.

You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file a written appeal. Do not wait. The appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration, and you file it by calling Social Security, mailing a form, or submitting it online at ssa.gov. Social Security will send your case to a different examiner at DDS who will review it again.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where most people win. At a hearing, you can present new medical evidence, have a representative (lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) speak on your behalf, and answer questions from the judge. Roughly 50 to 60 percent of cases are approved at the hearing stage. You have 60 days from the second denial to request a hearing.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact Texas Disability Rights (1-800-252-9108) or the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas for free representation. Many disability lawyers work on contingency — they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, and nothing if you lose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for disability while I am still working?

Yes. Social Security looks at whether you can do substantial work — defined as earning more than a certain amount per month (in 2024, $1,550 for non-blind individuals). If you are earning less than that or working part-time, you can still explore. Your work history actually strengthens an SSDI process because it shows you have paid into Social Security.

How long does it take to get approved?

Initial decisions usually take 3 to 6 months. If you are denied and appeal, a reconsideration decision takes another 3 to 6 months. If you request a hearing, the wait is typically 1 to 2 years depending on the backlog in your area. You can receive back pay dating to the month you filed once you are approved, so the delay does not erase the money you are owed.

What if I have a mental health condition or pain that is hard to prove?

Mental health conditions and pain are reviewed the same way as physical conditions — Social Security needs medical evidence from a treating provider. Get regular treatment and ask your doctor to document how your condition affects your ability to work. Therapy notes, psychiatric evaluations, and pain management records all count. If you cannot afford treatment, ask Social Security about a consultative exam; they will pay for one.

Do I need a lawyer to explore?

No. You can file on your own. However, if you are denied and appeal to a hearing, having a representative increases your chances of approval. Many people hire a lawyer only after the first or second denial, not at the initial process stage.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Citizenship or legal permanent resident status is required for SSDI and SSI. If you are not a citizen, you cannot receive these federal benefits. Some non-citizens with work history may be may be able to access for SSDI if they have a Social Security number and work credits, but immigration status must be lawful. Contact a local immigration attorney or legal aid office to understand your specific situation.