When you have an injury or illness that prevents you from working, few things are more distressing than being denied disability benefits. Without them, you may have trouble accessing the medical care you need while paying your bills.
Although stressful, there is hope: if you were denied Social Security disability benefits in Texas, you can file an appeal. In this article, we’ll go over next steps after getting a denial letter, the various stages of appeal, and how an SSD attorney can help you win the benefits you need.
How To File An Appeal For SSD Benefits In Texas
You can file an appeal within 60 days of receipt of your denied disability letter: the letter will explain both the deadline and the disability appeal process, which begins with a request for reconsideration. At this stage, an SSA representative who was not involved in your original claim will review it and issue a decision. If it’s a denial, the next step is to request a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ) who will make a decision on your appeal.
Texas ALJ Disability Hearings
After your appeal is denied, administrative law judges (ALJs) conduct hearings to determine whether one’s disability negatively impacts their ability to work. They decide whether to approve or deny a disability application; unlike traditional court hearings, there is no jury involved. These hearings occur at your closest Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) location.
Texas Office of Hearing Operations Locations
The Social Security Administration’s Dallas Region, which handles applications and appeals for Texas Social Security Disability benefits, has 21 hearing offices across the region, which also serves Arkansas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Within the state of Texas itself, there are eight offices spread across the following cities:
- Dallas RO
- Dallas CPC
- Dallas (Downtown) HO
- Dallas (North) HO
- Fort Worth HO
- Houston (North) HO
- Houston (West) HO
- Rio Grande Valley HO
- San Antonio HO
In addition:
- The Oklahoma City, OK office serves claimants in Amarillo, Pampa, and Wichita Falls, Texas.
- The Shreveport, LA office serves those in Marshall, Texas.
Most disability appeals are approved when they reach the ALJ stage. If your case is the exception, you can file your appeal with the SSA Appeals Council. If the Appeals Council declines to review your case, your last step with the appeals process is to go to the US District Court. If your claim progresses to this stage, you’ll definitely want to secure the services of a Texas Social Security Disability lawyer.
Get Help With Your Texas SSD Appeal
When you can’t work, being approved for Texas Social Security Disability benefits can help ensure that you get access to the medical care you need while meeting your family’s living expenses. However, filing an appeal is not easy, especially beyond the request for reconsideration stage.
A Texas Social Security Disability lawyer can help you file an appeal and may help you get approved for Social Security disability benefits in Texas. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website and helps claimants in Texas.
