Filing for Disability in Texas: Social Security and SSI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI disability benefits are provided through the federal government, but the disability determination process differs in each state.

In Texas, after you apply to Social Security for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) field office will review your application and send it to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Disability Determination Services (DDS). It is at DDS that a disability specialist (called a claims examiner) is assigned to your case to make a decision regarding whether or not you will receive disability benefits.

What Are My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits in Texas?

In Texas, in 2023, 35% of disability applicants were approved after the initial application was filed, compared to about 38% nationally. At the first level of appeal, called the "reconsideration," the Texas DDS approved 16% of claims, about the same as the national rate of approval for reconsiderations.

At the disability hearing level (the second level of appeal), there is a lower chance of winning benefits in Texas than nationally. Your chance of having your disability claim approved in Texas is 51% on average. But approval rates vary among hearing offices. For instance, the approval rate across the Dallas hearing offices is about 54%, while the approval rate at the San Antonio hearing office is only 47%.

If you're represented by a disability lawyer at your hearing, your chances of winning increase, according to our survey statistics as well as government statistics.

What Is the Average Wait Time for a Hearing in Texas?

The average wait time to get a hearing date in Texas is slightly longer than the national average. In Texas, you will wait an average of 18 months for a hearing (in 2023), while the national average is 15 months. And at some hearing offices, such as downtown Dallas and Fort Worth, the wait time in 2023 is actually two years.

If I'm Awarded Disability Benefits, How Much Can I Expect to Receive in Texas?

How much you receive as a disability benefit depends upon the type of benefit you qualify for. If you're eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your award can be up to about $3,600. The exact amount depends on how much you paid into the Social Security system while working.

In contrast, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based benefit, and monthly payments are set by the federal government. For SSI, the maximum amount an individual can receive is $914 per month, and a couple can receive $1,371 per month (in 2023). These amounts are based on those individuals who have no countable income.

Does Texas Pay an Extra Supplemental SSI Amount?

Each state has the option of paying an additional monthly amount to individuals receiving SSI who reside in their state. Unfortunately, the State of Texas doesn't pay a state supplementary payment to SSI recipients living independently.

But if you're residing in a Medicaid facility, such as a nursing home, you're eligible to receive up to $30 from the State of Texas on top of your SSI payment from the federal government. But your SSI payment will be reduced to $30 while you're living in a Medicaid-paid facility. Texas refers to the $30 state payment, which is paid by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), as the H-6000 co-payment.

Couples who are living in a Medicaid facility will be considered as two individuals once they have lived together for more than 30 days in the Medicaid facility, so will each receive an extra $30 per month from the HHSC.

How Can I Contact the Texas DDS Where My Claim Was Sent?

Texas has a central DDS office that handles all cases that are approved at the Social Security field offices. Once your application is filled, all questions should be directed to the central office:

Division for Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 149198
Austin, TX
78714-9198

Telephone: (512) 437-8000 or (800) 252-7009

How Can I Contact the Hearing Office in Texas Where My Disability Hearing Is Held?

Texas has several Offices of Hearing Operations (OHOs). Once your case has been scheduled for a hearing, you should contact the hearing office for any questions or status updates rather than the SSA or DDS.

The Regional Hearing Office (Region 6) that covers Texas is located in Dallas:

SSA, Office of Hearing Operations
Suite 460
1301 Young Street
Dallas, Texas 75202-5433
Telephone: (214) 767-9401

There are also 8 local hearing offices that service the state of Texas.

The following OHO in downtown Dallas services the following field offices: Austin, Corsicana, Fair Park, Oak Cliff, Georgetown, San Marcos, South Austin, Temple, and Waco

Downtown Dallas HO
Harwood Center, Suite 2300
1999 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Telephone: (866) 563-3885
Fax: (833) 648-0165

The following OHO services the following field offices: Dallas-North, Denton, Greenville, Longview, McKinney, Mid-Cities, Palestine, Paris, Pleasant Grove, Mt. Pleasant, Sherman, Tyler, and Waxahachie

Dallas North HO
Building 9, Suite 500
12790 Merit Drive
Dallas, TX 75251
Telephone: (866) 331-7135

The following OHO covers: Abilene, Big Spring, Brownwood, Cleburne, Fort Worth, Fort Worth - South, Lubbock, Odessa, Plainview, and San Angelo

Fort Worth HO
Federal Office Building, Room 9A27
819 Taylor Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Telephone: (866) 613-2744
Fax: (833) 985-2267

The following OHO covers the following field offices: Angleton, Galveston, Houston-Northwest, Houston-Southwest, Pasadena, and Victoria

West Houston HO
9700 Richmond Avenue
Suite 200
Houston, TX 77042
Telephone: (866) 779-5456
Fax: (833) 648-0167

This OHO covers the following field offices: Beaumont, Brenham, Bryan, Conroe, Houston, Lufkin, Port Arthur

North Houston HO
4015 Aldine Bender Road
Houston, TX 77032
Telephone: (877) 850-7829
Fax: (833) 631-1018

The following OHO services Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, and Mission:

Rio Grande Valley HO
2009 West Jefferson Avenue
Suite 200
Harlingen, TX 78550
Telephone: (877) 452-6985
Fax: (833) 702-0719

This OHO covers: Alice, Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Kerrville, Laredo, San Antonio, and Seguin

San Antonio HO
10222 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78216
Telephone: (855) 829-8915
Fax: (833) 694-0067

This OHO covers the Amarillo, Pampa, and Wichita Falls field offices:

Oklahoma City HO
301 NW 6th Street
Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102
Telephone: (866) 701-8094
Fax: (833) 302-0021

Are There Any Vocational Resources Available to Me if I Need Job Retraining?

Texas offers vocational rehabilitation services through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Individuals may apply to receive vocational rehabilitation services with TWC. Call (800) 628-5115 for more information, or go to TWC's list of vocational rehabilitation services offices.