Apply For Disability In Texas

Are Government Workers Eligible For Disability Benefits

Some government workers, including school employees, may be eligible for Disability Insurance benefits. To find out, review your collective bargaining contract. If you have wages from another employer in your base period, you may be eligible even though your current employer doesnt participate in State Disability Insurance. If you arent sure if youre eligible, file a claim anyway.

Qualifying For Ssi And Ssdi

The Social Security Administration operates two disability programs including Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance . Each of these programs has its own criteria that an applicant must meet in order to qualify.

To qualify for SSDI benefits, an applicant must have earned enough work credits through prior work history. As of 2014, for every $1,200 earned, a worker earns one work credits and can earn a total of four work credits each year. The number of credits needed to qualify for SSDI benefits will vary depending on your age.

Unlike SSDI benefits, an applicant does not need any work history or work credits to qualify for SSI benefits. Instead, SSI is a needs-based program. Benefit eligibility is based on household income and assets. As of 2014, an individual cannot have a household income of more than $721 per month as an individual or $1,082 per month as a couple or household assets exceeding $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 for a couple in order to qualify for SSI benefits.

For both SSDI and SSI benefits, an individual must meet the medical criteria set forth by the SSA to qualify.

For more information on the disability programs visit:

Sheltered Employment And Substantial Gainful Activity

We do not consider sheltered employment substantial gainful activity.

Sheltered employment is when a child with a physical or mental disability works for minimal pay under a special program.

If people with physical or mental disabilities work for minimal pay, it must be done at a qualified location. Qualified locations include:

• Sheltered workshops

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I Work More Than One Job Will I Get Benefits That Cover All My Jobs

Yes. If all of your employers take State Disability Insurance out of your paychecks, your Disability Insurance benefits will reflect all jobs. This will be listed as CASDI on your paystubs. Report all employment on your application form when you apply by listing the name, address, telephone number, and last day you worked for each employer.

Are School Employees Eligible For Disability Insurance Benefits During School Breaks

School employees are not eligible for Disability Insurance benefits if:

• Full wages were or will be paid to the employee during the contract period when services were performed.
• A period of disability overlaps with a school break and the employee is not scheduled to work, does not have a history of working during the break, or does not have an additional employer.
• The disability period extends through the school break period.

However, if the employee is not receiving wages but would have been working for extra income if not disabled , then the employee may be eligible for benefits to replace the additional income.

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How To Apply For Disability In Texas

Are you a resident of Texas and suffering from a total disability stopping you from working? If yes, you may qualify to apply for disability in Texas. These are monthly benefits offered by Social Security to help Texans cope with disability and continue to live a quality life.

This article will give you valuable insight into what these social security disability benefits are and how you can apply for disability in Texas. There are 63 SS Administration field offices in Texas. And by the way, medical marijuana is approved for many of the conditions.

Some Publications That Will Give You More Information On Disability Benefits

The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18.

The starter kits provide information about the specific documents and the information that we will request from you.

The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and our decision-making process.

Here are some additional resources with information on disability benefits:

• Disability Evaluation Under Social Security – Medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims

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Do I Have To Be Working At My Job For A Certain Amount Of Time To Be Eligible For Disability Benefits

No. Eligibility is based on the earnings shown in your base period. Your base period is wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your disability claim begins. To learn more, use our DI/PFL calculator to create a general estimate. You must have at least $300 in wages in your base period, and they must have been subject to the SDI tax deduction . If you think you are eligible for disability, file a claim.

How Can A Lawyer Help Me Apply

Many people who apply for Social Security Disability benefits on their own quickly realize that the forms are confusing and the process is daunting and time-consuming.

If you need help applying for disability benefits, our attorneys at Packard Law Firm in San Antonio can help with all suspects of the process.

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Medical Qualifying With A Mental Illness

The SSA conducts a detailed review of your medical records to determine your eligibility for benefits. During this review, they try to match your records to a disability listing in the Blue Book. The Blue Book is the SSAs medical guide that is used to evaluate every disability application.

Disability listings outline the severity level requirements and the specific medical evidence needed to support a claim for benefits. Mental illnesses appear in Section 12.00 and include:

• 12.06, Anxiety-related Disorders you may qualify under this listing if you have a severe phobia, post-traumatic stress, a panic disorder, or another anxiety-related condition.
• 12.08, Personality Disorders this is the listing under which you may qualify if you have severe, clinical depression.
• 12.04, Affective Disorders if you have bipolar disorder, your application will be reviewed under this listing.

Extensive medical records are necessary to qualify, including:

• Information on your diagnosis, ideally from a psychiatrist or psychologist
• Brain scans or other evidence of physical abnormalities that document an organic cause for symptoms, if applicable
• Treatment records, documenting medications, therapy, and other management methods used and their effects
• Thoroughly documented episodes of increased symptoms or periods of decompensation
• Well documented affects of your symptoms on your everyday abilities or activities of daily living

The Average Monthly Benefit In 2022 Is $1358 And It Will Increase In 2023

In 2022, the estimated average Social Security disability benefit for a disabled worker receiving Social Security Disability Insurance is $1,358 per month, according to the Social Security Administration . That figure is expected to go up to $1,483 in 2023. These benefits are based on average lifetime earnings, not on household income or the severity of an individuals disability.

If youve kept your annual Social Security statement, you can find what you are likely to receive in the Estimated Benefits section. The total amount that a disabled worker and their family can receive is about 150% to 180% of the disabled workers benefit. Eligible family members can include a spouse, divorced spouse, child, disabled child, and/or an adult child disabled before age 22.

The estimated average monthly Social Security benefits payable to a disabled worker, their spouse, and one or more children in 2023 is $2,616, which is an increase from the approximate benefit of $2,383 in 2022. These, along with other amounts, are subject to change annually based on inflation.

For a more precise indication, Social Security has an online calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of both retirement and disability benefits for you and your family members.

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What Are The Requirements Of Total Disability

Disability is subjective and may refer to different conditions. For example, you may have a disability that may qualify you for disability benefits via the workers compensation system. On the other hand, you may have a disability, but it may not meet SSAs definition for disability.

According to a general definition by SSA, a disability is only qualifying when it prevents you from working and/or earning a certain wage each month. If your disability stops you from engaging in a substantial gaining activity, it falls within SSAs definition of disability. These include the following

• You have a mental impairment or a physical disability/impairment and you can prove it medically.
• If your disability has lasted for 12 months or you expect it to last 12 months in the future.
• If your disability may cause your death.

Whenever you apply to claim your SSA disability benefits, the Texas Disability Determination Services will consider your application. They are going to review all the information you provide in oder to decide whether your disability satisfies the qualifying criteria. If everything seems to be in order, DDS will approve your application to receive disability benefits in Texas.

What Forms Will I Need To File For Social Security Benefits

Regardless of whether you fill out an application in person, online, over the phone or with an attorney, there are four main forms that you must complete.

1. The initial application form

The initial disability application form is the first step in the process. The initial disability application for SSI is SSA-8001-BK. The form you need to apply for SSDI is SSA-16-BK. Both forms will request specific information about you and your family.

2. The disability report

The next form you will need for both SSI and SSDI is a disability report . This form focuses on your date of disability and your medical history. Dates of doctor and clinic visits, hospital and ER stays, and names of all prescribed meditation are among the information requested.

3. The function report

Another form needed is the Adult Disability Report , also known as the Function Report. This form will request information relating to your normal daily living activities and how your disability affects your everyday lifestyle.

4. The authorization to disclose

Lastly, you will need to complete the Authorization to Disclose Information form, which gives permission for the government to gather your medical records. The form will also request information related to your employment history over the last 15 years.

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Apply For Benefits Online

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you develop a disability. Follow these easy steps to apply online for disability:

• To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click Next.
• On that page, review the Getting Ready section to make sure you have the information you need to apply.
• Select Start A New Application.
• We will ask a few questions about who is filling out the application.
• You will then sign in to your personal mySocial Security account, or you will be prompted to create one.
• Complete the application.

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older.
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Have not been denied for disability in the last 60 days.

Note: If your application was recently denied, our application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made.

You may be able to file online for SSI at the same time that you file for SSDI benefits. Once you complete the online process described above, a Social Security representative will contact you if we need additional information.

How Long After You’re Approved For Disability Do You Get Your Money

There is a waiting period. Usually, it can take five months for benefits to get paid, with the first payment arriving the sixth full month after the date the SSA determined your disability began.

So, for example, if the SSA determined that your disability began on June 15, 2022, and you applied on July 1, 2022, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2022.

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Permanent And Total Disability

A person has a permanent and total disability if both of the following apply:

• They cant engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental condition and
• A doctor determines their condition:
• Has lasted continuously for at least a year or
• Will last continuously for at least a year or
• Can lead to death

How Can I Find Out More About Ssdi

• Visit www.ssa.gov online choose disability
• Visit ssabest.benefits.gov to learn about Social Security benefits you might be eligible for including SSDI
• Go to your nearest Social Security office

You can find out how much you would get from SSDI by looking at your Social Security statement. The statement shows your work history and an estimate of what your benefits would be at this time. To get a Social Security statement:

• Request a statement online through Social Securitys website at www.ssa.gov. Click on My Social Security on the left side of the page.

Note that SSDI is different from SSI .

SSI is for people who didnt pay enough into Social Security during their working years, or who havent worked recently enough to qualify for SSDI. However, some people who were employed for short times or whose income was very low may qualify for both SSDI and SSI because their SSDI payment is so low. In that case, the SSI payment is reduced by the amount of SSDI the person gets. See more information on Supplemental Security Income .

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Apply Online For Disability Benefits

Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and
• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied for medical reasons, the Internet Appeal is a starting point to request a review of the medical determination we made.

• Print and review the Adult Disability Checklist.

  It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.

We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier.

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

Important

We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate.

Mailing Your Documents

After we receive your online application, we will:

How Can I File An Application

You can file for Social Security Disability in several ways.

For SSDI, you can fill out a disability application online. For SSI, you will need to file an application by calling the governments toll-free telephone number if hearing assistance is needed. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person.

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Submit A Disability Claim Online

Please follow the steps below and provide as much information as possible. In Step 10, youll be able to review your answers before submitting your claim. A case manager may call you to confirm the information youve provided or to request additional details.

This service is offered by New York Life Group Benefit Solutions to employers and employees who wish to file a disability claim.

The information requested is required for us to begin reviewing your claim. Its important that you provide us with complete and accurate information to avoid a delay in the processing of your claim.

You can submit your claim in one of two ways:

It may be necessary for us to obtain additional information or clarification from your employer and your health-care provider. If you have not done so, please complete a Disability Disclosure Authorization Form. This form grants us access to the information necessary to process your claim.

Have a question? Call us at 888-842-4462 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central Time

What Evidence Will I Need To Provide To Support My Claim

You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents such as:

• VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your rated disability has gotten worse
• Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your disability has gotten worse
• Supporting statements youd like to provide from family members, friends, clergy members, law enforcement personnel, or those you served with that can tell us more about your claimed condition and how and when it happened or how it got worse

Depending on the type of claim you file, you may gather supporting documents yourself, or you can ask for our help to gather evidence.

Well also review your discharge papers and service treatment records.

Please note: You dont have to submit any evidence to support your claim, but we may need to schedule a claim exam so we can learn more about your condition.

You should also know that you have up to a year from the date we receive your claim to turn in any evidence. If you start your application and need time to gather more supporting documents, you can save your application and come back later to finish it. Well recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days.

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