Filing for Disability in Texas: Social Security and SSI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 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?

Your chances of winning disability benefits in Texas closely mirror those of the national statistics. 38% of Texas disability applicants were approved after the initial application was filed, about the national rate. At the first level of appeal, called the "reconsideration," the Texas DDS approved 16% of claims, slightly above the national approval rate for reconsiderations. The, at the disability hearing level your chance of having your disability claim approved in Texas is 58%, again close to the national average.

Source: ALJ Disposition Data Fiscal Year 2026 and Average Wait Time Until Hearing, May 2026.

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 7.5 months for a hearing (in 2026), while the national average is 8 months.

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 $4,150. 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 $994 per month, and a couple can receive $1,491 per month (in 2026). 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
Phone: 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, TX 75202-5433
Phone: 214-767-9401

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

Downtown Dallas OHO
Harwood Center, Suite 2300
1999 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 866-563-3885
Fax: 833-648-0165

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

Dallas North OHO
Building 9, Suite 500
12790 Merit Drive
Dallas, TX 75251
Phone: 866-331-7135

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

Fort Worth OHO
Federal Office Building, Room 9A27
819 Taylor Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 866-613-2744
Fax: 833-985-2267

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

West Houston OHO
9700 Richmond Avenue
Suite 200
Houston, TX 77042
Phone: 866-779-5456
Fax: 833-648-0167

The West Houston OHO covers these field offices: Angleton, Galveston, Houston-Northwest, Houston-Southwest, Pasadena, and Victoria.

North Houston OHO
4015 Aldine Bender Road
Houston, TX 77032
Phone: 877-850-7829
Fax: 833-631-1018

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

Rio Grande Valley OHO
2009 West Jefferson Avenue
Suite 200
Harlingen, TX 78550
Phone: 877-452-6985
Fax: 833-702-0719

The Rio Grande OHO services Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, and Mission.

San Antonio OHO
10222 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: 855-829-8915
Fax: 833-694-0067

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

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

The Oklahoma City OHO covers the Amarillo, Pampa, and Wichita Falls field offices.

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.