The process of proving that you qualify for Lubbock Social Security Disability benefits can be extensive. To be deemed disabled, you must suffer from an injury that prevents you from participating in gainful employment for at least twelve months. “Gainful employment” refers to the successful performance of activities which generate at least $1,550 per month in income. Activities which afford you the opportunity to earn more than that amount will usually disqualify you from receiving Social Security Disability benefits.
You can acquire Lubbock Social Security Disability resources at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office. There, you will be able to speak with someone about your case and gather any information you need related to Social Security Disability. Once your application is completed and you have submitted it to the Social Security Administration, your case file will be forwarded to the Texas Division for Disability Services (DDS) where an administration team will assess your injury based on information provided in your application and what is found in your medical records.
If there is enough information in your medical records to support your disability claim, the DDS may recommend to the Social Security Administration that your claim is approved. If there is not sufficient medical evidence to support your initial disability claim, your claim may be denied altogether and you will have 60 days from the date you received your decision letter to request a reconsideration. If you decide to appeal and your appeal is denied (more than 80% of appeals are denied), you do have the option to request that your case be brought before an administration law judge (ALJ) at a hearing. Lubbock Social Security Disability claims are heard at the Fort Worth hearing office where 43.9% of claims are awarded.
Health Resources in Lubbock, TX
The DDS makes a determination on your Lubbock social security disability case based on findings in your medical records. So it is important that you are under the regular care of a physician who is actively treating your disability. If you do not currently see a doctor for your injury, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities in Lubbock that would be of service to you.
Lubbock Impact/TTUHSC Free Clinic
c/o The Family Church
2707 34th street
Lubbock, TX 79410
(806)743-2300
Arnett-Benson Clinic
3118 Erskine
Lubbock, TX, 79415
(806) 765-2636
Community Health Center of Lubbock
Suite 5
1313 Broadway
Lubbock, TX, 79401
(806) 765-2600
Lubbock, TX Mental Health Resources
A mental illness can be just as devastating as a physical injury. If you are suffering from a mental illness that prohibits you from being able to get and keep gainful employment, you may qualify for social security disability in Lubbock. The facilities listed below will connect you with qualified mental health professionals who can be of assistance.
Lubbock Regional MHMR Center
1500 Pappas Street
Lubbock, TX 78041
(806) 740-1414
Lubbock Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $914 and $1,371 for a couple. Individuals who receive payments for Social Security Disability in Lubbock 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 a Lubbock Social Security Disability Attorney
Currently, only one-third of all disability claims in the state of Texas are awarded. If you are disabled and unable to earn a living, a lengthy appeals process on your Lubbock Social Security Disability claim can be stressful. More often than not, applicants won’t seek the help of an attorney until after their claim has been denied. But an experienced attorney can help you to better navigate and expedite the application and appeals process. Most disability attorneys provide free consultation and don’t charge a fee unless they win your case (usually 25% of the Social Security awarded collected, not to exceed $6,000). Contact a qualified Lubbock Social Security Disability attorney for a free evaluation of your case.