5 Things You Did Not Know About SSD Benefits in Texas

Here are five things that you did not know about the process for receiving Social Security disability benefits in Texas:

You can recover benefits only if you have been disabled for at least 12 months.

You cannot recover disability benefits unless your condition has lasted — or is expected to last — for a minimum of 12 months or result in death, according to the Social Security Administration’s Disability Benefits publication. SSD is not intended to provide benefits for short-term disabilities or partial disabilities. In order to qualify for benefits, your disability must prevent you from working.

The majority of claims are denied at first.

The award rate for Social Security disability claims is calculated as the number of claim allowances minus subsequent denials, divided by total applications for a given year. Per Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits, the award rate for all years from 1991 to 2010 was below 60 percent. In most recent year for which data is available, the award rate was only 34.8 percent. This means that the Social Security Administration denies the majority of claims every year. However, many applicants with valid claims go on to receive the benefits they deserve through the reconsideration and appeals process. Do not give up simply because your initial application was denied.

You must have worked and obtained Social Security work credits.

In order to recover benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (but not Supplemental Security Income), you must have earned Social Security work credits. In fact, you will not qualify for SSDI unless you have worked long enough, as well as recently enough, under Social Security, according to the Social Security Administration. The amount of credits that you will need changes on a yearly basis. In general, however, you will need approximately 40 credits.

You need to fill out your application completely.

If you do not fill out your application for Social Security disability benefits completely, then your application will likely be denied, or the process will be significantly delayed. Be sure to include the following information in an application for Social Security benefits (per the Social Security Administration’s site on How to Apply Online for Disability Benefits):

– All information about you (name, birthdate, Social Security number, etc.)
– Information about your medical condition
– Information about your work history
– Proof of citizenship
– W-2 forms
– Medical evidence in your possession
– Any award letter, settlement agreements, etc. that you have receive

A Social Security lawyer can help you gather any missing documents and ensure that your application is completed in full.

You need a Texas Social Security disability benefits lawyer.

Can I have a lawyer represent me in applying for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income? Many people think that they can file or appeal a claim for Social Security disability in Texas on their own. However, when you hire a Social Security disability lawyer, your chances of your claim being approved are improved. If you are ready to get started on your Social Security disability application, contact the team at The Bob Richardson Law Firm in Austin and Waco today. Your first consultation with us is always free.