How to Apply for Disability Benefits in Texas

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.

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. 

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

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.

Disability lawyers in Texas

Here are a few Atticus firms in Texas: