Being the largest city in the state of Texas, the 2010 Census bureau calculated Houston’s population to be 2.1 million, making it one of Forbes “Best Places for Business and Careers.” Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center, named the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions in the U.S. Healthcare for the disabled is a vast network, and more than 25,000 are receiving benefits in Houston alone. In Texas, the Social Security Association approval rate for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is approximately 43% (initial application) and approximately 20% more will win during a request for reconsideration. Unemployment Rates in the Houston, TX Metropolitan Area are below the national average and the Social Security Administration run a very tight approval process with the recent cuts on aggregate spending for the state.
Apply for Houston Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security Disability Benefits for the disabled are determined by the inability to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA or paid work) due to a documented medical impairment by a certified medical practitioner. A Houston Social Security attorney can perform an initial assessment of your case to determine if enough work credits have been established along with sufficient FICA payroll tax withheld, and the disability(s) meet the required standards of determination of the Social Security Administration (SSA). If sufficient work credits have not been established, an applicant may still be eligible for SSI. Regardless, a Houston Disability attorney can help compile a strong case, worthy of an approval by the SSA. The most important information submitted is in initial application phase. An extensive collection of medical records and documentation of the disability should be organized, as well as filled out correctly. A Houston Social Security attorney is knowledgeable of the records needed, and if any “gaps” exist in your particular case. Even if a Denial has already been handed down by the SSA, a Houston Disability Attorney can project future rulings, as well as problem-solving efforts to correct any flaws or missing information benefiting the case. A determination is usually submitted approximately 80 – 120 days after the application is file. Disability lawyers in Houston have helpful information such as past case rulings and the judges who made these rulings, at the Hearing stage of the process. The average ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) processing time is 339 days in Houston and on average 60% of initial applications received offices will be denied. There are four possible steps in the disability appeals process: Reconsideration, Hearing, an Appeals Council Review, and a District Court Case. If you disagree with the determination of your case, the appeal will proceed in the order listed.
Applications are available at local field offices, and you do have the option to speak to an actual SSA representative. Initial visits can not be prefaced by an appointment, and each unscheduled visit will require an ample amount of time. Listed below are the local SSA offices in Houston:
Houston Social Security Disability
3100 Smith
Houston, TX 77006
For a list of more Social Security Offices in the Houston area, visit ssa.gov.
Houston Social Security Disability Resources
Legacy Community Health Services
Houston, Texas
(713) 830-3000
MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Boulevard,
Houston, TX
(800) 392-1611
St Luke's Episcopal Hospital
6720 Bertner Avenue
Houston, TX
(832) 355-1000
Hillcroft Medical Clinic
2500 Fondren Rd # 270,
Houston, TX
(713) 781-4600
Your Houston Disability Claim
From the initial application to the last appeal, securing a Houston Social Security attorney can not only improve the process of the claim, but will statistically lead to a positive decision. While acting as an advocate to present your claim, a Social Security attorney will help you throughout the disability application process. The initial consultation with a Houston Disability attorney is free; for more information or to discuss your case, click here.