How to Get Disability in Texas: Your Texas Disability Approval Guide

Important: We updated this article in January 2025 after reviewing current Social Security Administration policy and award data. Wondering how to get disability benefits in Texas? You’re not alone! Most recently, the state revealed that there are over 3.5 million residents with at least one disability (12.9%). And in December 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) paid 953,990 residents cash payments each month.

But getting approved for disability in the Friendship State depends on much more than just your medical condition. If you’re a disabled Texas resident, we’ll explain what disability benefit programs to apply for, pay amounts, and more below.

How to Get Disability in Texas: Key Takeaways

• There are 2 federal programs that pay Texas disability benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• The average SSDI payment in 2025 is $1,580. The maximum SSDI payment under current federal law this year is $4,018.
• SSI pays no more than $967 per person in 2025. Eligible couples may qualify for a maximum of $1,450 per household.
• In addition to a medical diagnosis, you must meet other technical requirements to get disability approval in Texas. These include things like work history, monthly income, and proving you cannot work at all in any job for a minimum of 12 months.

What Social Security Administration Programs Pay Disability Benefits in Texas?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two federal programs that can help you with monthly cash benefits:

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to disabled and blind adults aged 18-66.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to disabled or blind adults and children, and individuals aged 65 and older.

Disability Determination Services (DDS), part of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, reviews all SSI and SSDI claims in this state. They also conduct all medical exams for disability applicants, if one is required for claim approval.

Program #1: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the first Texas disability option available to those who qualify. It is for adults aged 18-66 with long-term health issues that prevent them from working.

What Are the Requirements for SSDI Disability Approval?

This program supports disabled individuals who have enough prior work history, which the SSA measures in “work credits.” Typically, people must have worked about 25% of their adult lives and five of the last 10 years. That’s usually what’s needed to acquire enough work credits for the “non-medical qualification” part of the application.

To qualify for Texas disability benefits through SSDI, you must:

1. Be aged 18-66 and not currently receive any other Social Security benefits on the date when you apply. This includes things like early or regular retirement benefits.
2. Be unable to work for at least one year, specifically for health reasons.
3. Show employment in jobs where you paid Social Security payroll taxes during at least 5 of the past 10 years.

How Much Are Texas Disability Benefits After SSDI Claim Approval?

In 2025, the average SSDI payment is $1,580. The maximum allowable SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month.

Does SSDI Disability Approval Include Health Insurance?

Yes, but you’ll have to wait a while. Two years (24 months) after your SSDI benefits begin, you’ll qualify for Medicare coverage.

Program #2: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the other program that pays Texas disability benefits. It provides monthly cash benefits to children and disabled adults who haven’t worked long enough or recently enough for SSDI approval. You must also meet very strict income and asset rule requirements.

What Does It Take to Get SSI Disability Approval in TX?

To be eligible for SSI, you must:

1. Be unable to work for a minimum of 12 months in a row.
2. Have less than $2,000 in total owned financial resources (or $3,000 per couple).
3. Be blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old on the date you file your disability claim.

How Much Are SSI Benefits Each Month After Approval?

The maximum any one person can get in SSI disability in 2025 is $967. Couples who qualify can get a maximum of $1,450 per month in SSI benefits.

Does SSI Approval Include Health Insurance?

Texas automatically enrolls people in Medicaid after SSI approval. This coverage automatically starts the same month your SSI payments begin.

What Other Benefits Might SSI Recipients Qualify For?

Disabled Texas residents should also visit Your Texas Benefits to see what other benefits may be available. These may include options like SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) and TANF (temporary assistance for needy families).

How Hard is It to Get Disability Approval for Benefits in TX?

Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to get disability approval from either the SSI or SSDI program. SSA data shows just 29.5% of applicants got approval for Social Security disability benefits in 2023.

How Long Will I Have to Wait to Get Texas Disability Benefit Approval?

The latest goal for the SSA is to process initial disability claims within 215 days by the end of FY 2025. However, current claim-processing time for Texas is 337 days, or nearly one calendar year.

How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?

In Texas, the SSA automatically checks to see if you’re eligible for SSI when they review your SSDI application. That means you don’t have to do all the paperwork twice. Though sometimes you may get approved by both programs, it’s usually just one or the other.

You can file for benefits one of the following ways:

• Apply online through the portal at SSA.gov. Important: No online application for SSI exists at this time; you can only file an SSDI application online.
• Start your disability claim by phone during regular business hours through the SSA’s toll-free service line — 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
• Apply in person at your nearest local Social Security office. However, you may need to make an appointment before you go in.

Attorney Help Makes Getting Disability Benefits Much Easier

The fourth option for applying for disability is to retain a Social Security lawyer who can file the paperwork for you. All disability attorneys offer contingency-based legal help. So until the SSA provides you with disability approval, you owe $0. And if you do win benefits, then you only pay one small fee afterwards.

Studies show people with lawyers have a much higher chance of winning benefits on their first try. What’s more, those applicants typically get disability approval within 180 days or less.

But the amount of stress you’ll avoid from having an experienced professional handling your claim? Well, that’s — like Texas — huge.

Want to know if you may qualify for disability approval before you apply? Click the button below to start your online benefits quiz now:

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