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Texas disability benefits

How to Apply for Disability Benefits in Texas

Written by
Jackie Jakab, Disability Attorney
Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
Published April 20, 2024
Updated April 21, 2024
1 min read
Why trust us?

Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

See if you qualify

Texas residents who cannot work because of an injury or illness may qualify for federal disability benefits through Social Security. Nearly 580,000 Texans get disability benefits from the Social Security Administration for injuries and medical conditions.  Learn about the Texas disability benefit programs available to Texans and how to apply for disability benefits in the Lone Star State. 


Disability benefits in Texas

Texas does not have a statewide disability program. However, Texans with disabilities may be eligible for Social Security benefits through the federal government or a private insurance company. As a Texas resident, you have access to:

  1. Social Security Disability Insurance: SSDI, which offers monthly payments and Medicare, is geared toward those who cannot work long-term due to disability. To qualify, you must have previously worked and paid taxes.

  2. Supplemental Security Income: If you have a few resources and assets and a limited work history, you might be eligible for SSI, a similar federal program that pays monthly benefits and includes Medicaid. 

  3. Veterans disability benefits: If you are a veteran and cannot work due to an injury from military service, consider receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

  4. Private disability insurance: You may access long-term or short-term private disability insurance through your former employer or directly from an insurance company if coverage was purchased before your injury or illness began.

You may qualify for workers' compensation benefits if you experience a work-related injury or illness. Check out our guide on workers’ comp benefits.


Social Security disability benefits: SSDI vs. SSI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs that provide monthly payments and health insurance coverage to people who can’t work because of a non-work-related injury or illness. However, there are a few important differences between these two options:

  • Work history: SSDI is for people who have worked at least five out of the last 10 years and have paid taxes into Social Security. SSI is for people with little to no work history and very low income and assets.

  • Payment amounts: SSDI payments depend on how much you paid into Social Security taxes. The amount of SSI benefits you can get depends on your income and assets. Typically, monthly SSI payments are lower than SSDI benefits.

  • Healthcare: SSDI recipients get Medicare coverage, while SSI beneficiaries get Medicaid coverage.

Find a great disability lawyer in Texas.

How to apply for Social Security Disability in Texas

To submit your application for SSDI or SSI in the state of Texas, follow these steps:

  1. Create an online SSA account. Set up your account by visiting ssa.gov, clicking “Create an Account,” and verifying your identity. 

  2. Download the application. Next, download and print the application (found on the SSA.gov website) so you can fill it out.

  3. Complete and submit the application. You can call your local Social Security office to apply over the phone. You can submit your completed application online or to your closest SSA field office.

A claim representative at your local SSA office can help you fill out your application, but they cannot provide legal advice. For more support, call Atticus to connect with a lawyer who can navigate you every step of the way.

For disability recipients in Texas, 35% are approved for benefits the first time they apply, 15% win at the reconsideration stage, and 50% are approved after a hearing.


How much are disability benefits in Texas?

The maximum payment amount for SSDI is $3,822 per month in 2024. If you’re on SSI, $943 per month is the largest payment you can receive. 

Estimate your disability benefit amount in just a few steps

We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.

Average
monthly check

$1,489

In Texas, the average monthly SSDI payment amount for disabled workers is $1,702 each month. The average payment for SSI beneficiaries is $583.

Disability Payment Amounts in Texas

Do I need a disability lawyer in Texas?

You’re free to apply for disability on your own. But working with a disability lawyer drastically improves your case. You are three times more likely to win benefits if you work with a lawyer, no matter where you live. Lawyers can help you:

  • Fill out the paperwork. Applying for disability involves filling out paperwork and forms that must be done correctly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a lawyer will help you walk through each step of the application process. 

  • Communicate with the SSA. When communicating with the SSA, lawyers can do things you can’t — like access the SSA’s Electronic Records Express (ERE), which contains files related to your case. If any important documents are missing, your lawyer will notice and follow up with the SSA. 

  • Help with the appeals process. Most disability applicants get denied the first time and must appeal, which involves submitting paperwork by a certain date and appearing at a hearing. Lawyers are well-versed in this process and will represent you well.


Get help applying for disability in Texas

Looking for more information about how to apply for disability benefits in Texas? Fill out this short quiz, and a member of our team will reach out for more information about your disability claim. If you’d like, we can also connect you with a qualified disability lawyer who can help build your case.


SSA offices in Texas

There are 66 Social Security offices throughout Texas, from Forth Worth to San Antonio, from Dallas to Houston.

Abilene

1202 E South 11Th St

Abilene, TX 79602

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (877) 607-9525

Fax Number: (833) 902-2586

Alice

1000 Medical Ctr Blvd

Alice, TX 78332

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (888) 388-8744

Fax Number: (833) 950-3019

Amarillo

4750  Canyon Dr

Amarillo, TX 79109

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (877) 803-6318

Fax Number: (833) 519-3209

Angleton

2921 N Valderas St 

Angleton, TX 77515

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (866) 338-2940

Fax Number: (833) 902-2570

Austin

1029 Camino La Costa 

Austin, TX 78752

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (866) 627-6991

Fax Number: (833) 515-0511

Austin

5508 Hwy 290 West Bldg B

Austin, TX 78735

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (855) 221-3523

Fax Number: (833) 950-2398

Balch Springs

2300 Dunson Dr

Balch Springs, TX 75180

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (855) 531-1683

Fax Number: (833) 950-2387

Beaumont

8455 Dishman Rd Ste A

Beaumont, TX 77713

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Phone Number: (866) 613-2864

Fax Number: (833) 515-0524

See all SSA offices in Texas


Disability lawyers in Texas

Here are a few Atticus firms in Texas:

Morgan and Weisbrod

11551 Forest Central Dr., Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75243

Kristi Ward Stephens Disability Law

5315-B Cypress Creek Pkwy., Ste. 156, Houston, Texas 77069

Packard Law

1100 NW Loop, 410 Suite, San Antonio, Texas 78213

Frequently asked questions about Texas disability benefits

What qualifies you for disability in Texas?

To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write-up here.

What conditions qualify for disability in Texas?

Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.

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

It takes an average of 7 months to get an initial disability decision in Texas. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes just over two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits

How much does disability pay in Texas?

The average SSDI payment in Texas is $1,702 per month. The average SSI payment is $583. What you’ll earn depends on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.

How should I prepare my disability application in Texas?

Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.

Does Texas have a state disability program?

No, Texas doesn't have its own state disability program. Only five states have a state program (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island). Residents of Texas can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.

See what you qualify for

How long has your condition made it hard to work?

Jackie Jakab, Disability Attorney

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Jackie Jakab is Atticus’s Legal Director. She’s a licensed attorney, a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, and has counseled thousands of people seeking disability benefits.
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