Qualifying for social security disability in Amarillo, TX requires you to prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you have experienced a debilitating injury which prevents you from performing the essential functions of a job for at least twelve consecutive months. This includes but is not limited to performing the duties of your most recent job as well as any other job in which you would be able to earn at least $1,550 per month.
You can apply for Amarillo social security disability benefits either online or at your local Texas SSA field office. Once your application has been received, your application will be reviewed for non-medical information before your case file is forwarded to the Texas Division for Disability Services (DDS). A DDS review panel will use your medical records to assess the severity of your injury to determine if it is a qualifying disability. If there is enough information in your medical records to support your disability claim, the DDS will inform the SSA of your eligibility. If there is not sufficient medical evidence to support your Amarillo social security disability claim, your claim may be denied and you will have 65 days from the date on your determination letter to appeal the decision. If your appeal is also denied, your may request that your Amarillo social security disability case go before a Fort Worth administrative law judge (ALJ). At the hearing level, 43.9% of the cases that went before a Fort Worth ALJ in fourth quarter 2011 were awarded.
Health Resources in Amarillo
Your Amarillo social security disability claim will rely heavily on your ability to offer medical proof of being disabled. For that reason, it is extremely important that you receive medical treatment as soon as you suffer an injury. If you are not currently seeing a physician for your disability or you do not have medical coverage, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities in Amarillo that would be of service to you.
Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center
6010 Amarillo Blvd West
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 355-9703
Baptist St. Anthony’s Health System
1600 Wallace Boulevard
Amarillo, Texas 79106
(806) 212-2000
Hillside Family Health Clinic, PA
7130 Bell St.
Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 373-4010
Amarillo Area Mental Health Resources
If you are suffering from a mental illness that prohibits you from being able to get and keep gainful employment, you may also qualify for social security disability in Amarillo. The Amarillo mental health facilities listed below will connect you with qualified mental health professionals who can be of assistance.
TPC Amarillo Outpatient Clinic
1501 S. Polk
Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 337-1000
Partial Hospitalization Program
1703 S. Avondale
Amarillo, TX 7910
(806) 353-2822
J O Wyatt Community Health Center
1411 E Amarillo Blvd
Amarillo, TX 79107
(806) 351-7200
Amarillo Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. Individuals who receive payments for social security disability in Amarillo for at least two years automatically qualify for Medicare. For individuals with disabilities that are expected to improve, their cases will usually come up for review within 6 to 12 months. Cases for individuals with disabilities that may improve over time will usually come up for review in 3 years. Cases for individuals with permanent disabilities come up for review every 5-7 years.
When to Find an Amarillo Social Security Disability Attorney
It is not uncommon for Amarillo social security disability cases where claimants have filed at least one appeal to go on for months and even extend past the one year mark. If you have been injured and are unable to work, a lengthy application and review process can prove financially devastating. It may be in your best interest to hire an Amarillo social security disability attorney.
Very often, Amarillo, Texas SSD attorneys will provide free initial consultations and don’t charge a fee unless they win your case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from past due benefits. The maximum an attorney can collect for representing you in an Amarillo SSD case is $6,000.
