Applying for Social Security Disability in Texas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Texas residents living with a disabling medical condition that prevents them from working and earning the money needed to support themselves may find financial relief through the Social Security Disability Insurance program. According to the Social Security Administration, 477,00 disabled workers and almost 86,000 of their spouses and children receive Texas disability benefits through the SSDI program. Another 483,240 blind or disabled adults and children in the state receive disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income program.

What makes SSDI and SSI benefits crucial for those unable to work because of a disability is the lack of a state program paying disability benefits. Only a handful of states have programs paying benefits to their residents who are disabled and unable to work. The SSDI and SSI programs through the Social Security Administration are the only source of Texas disability benefits.

The Social Security application process Texas residents must follow is not easy. More than two-thirds of the claims result in a denial of benefits after the initial review process, but this explanation of the application process from the American Disability Action Group can help improve your chances of success.

Texas Disability Benefits Through SSDI and SSI

Although each program provides monthly benefit payments and medical insurance, SSDI and SSI have distinctly different eligibility requirements. You must have worked long enough and recently enough and paid Social Security taxes on your income to qualify for benefits through the SSDI program. Other characteristics of the SSDI program include:

• The program is part of the Social Security retirement system, so you must be younger than full retirement age to be eligible for SSDI. If you qualify for SSDI, the benefits automatically convert to retirement payments when you reach full retirement age.
• The amount of the monthly SSDI payment you receive depends on your average lifetime earnings at jobs or self-employment where you paid Social Security taxes. The maximum monthly benefit payment in 2025 is $4,018, but the average payment is $1,537.4
• Medicare coverage becomes available 24 months after approval of your claim for SSDI.

SSI is a needs-based program that does not require a work history for eligibility. Other distinguishing characteristics of the SSI program include:

• Because SSI is for individuals of limited means financially, there are eligibility restrictions on income and resources. For example, the total value of assets that you own cannot exceed $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for eligible couples.
• The monthly SSI benefit payment for individuals in 2025 is $967 and $1.450 for eligible couples. You may receive less than the maximum benefit payment in any month where you receive earned or unearned income from sources other than SSI.
• Medicaid coverage becomes available without a waiting period.

Some states require a separate application to a state agency for Medicaid coverage, but Texas SSI eligibility automatically includes Medicaid.

The Social Security Administration automatically notifies the Texas Health and Human Services Commission of the approval or denial of your application for SSI. The approval of your application for SSI benefits results in your certification for coverage and issuance of your Texas Medicaid card.

To qualify for disability benefits through SSDI and SSI, you must prove the existence of a disability that meets a standard used by the Social Security Administration. The standard requires that you be unable to do substantial gainful work activity as a result of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or a combination of impairments expected to last for at least 12 months or expected to result in death.

How To Apply For Disability Benefits Through Social Security

The Social Security Administration has several methods for you to use to apply for SSDI Texas. You can apply for SSDI online, but you also have the option to submit an application in person or by telephone. Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment with a representative for a telephone application or an in-person application at a local Social Security office.

Unlike the SSDI process Texas residents can complete online, you can only start the application process online for SSI disability benefits. You’ll need a phone or in-person appointment with a Social Security representative to complete it.

Speak to a Disability Attorney About Your Texas Disability Benefits

You have the advantage of obtaining assistance from the American Disability Action Group to review the application to identify and correct errors and omissions that frequently result in claims being denied during the Texas application process. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the outcome.

Many people succeed in overturning a denial of benefits through the Social Security appeals process with the of skilled and experienced legal representation. Learn more about it and how our disability benefits team can help by contacting us today for a free consultation and claim evaluation.