Dallas, Texas
Dallas Disability Lawyers for SSDI and SSI
Downard & Associates represents adults in Dallas, Texas, with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications, reconsideration appeals, and administrative hearings. We work with clients by phone or video. If your medical condition has made working difficult, start with a list of your treatment providers, your recent jobs, and any decision you have received from the Social Security Administration (SSA). That information helps us review the claim stage and explain the work needed next.
How we help
How we help Dallas adults apply and respond to a denial
We do not take disability cessation or continuing disability review cases, or new cases involving back-pay issues alone.
We help assemble the information SSA needs and address the issues raised in a decision. Our work changes as your application or appeal moves through the process.
Applications: We help prepare the application, gather medical evidence, and document your work history so your claim explains both your condition and your work background.
Reconsideration: We review the reasons for a denial and address missing or updated evidence in the appeal.
Administrative hearings: We develop the medical record, prepare you to answer questions about your limitations, and present the legal argument before the judge.
VA refers to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
We handle SSDI cases for people who currently receive VA benefits, but we do not handle VA claims or appeals. We do not take disability cessation or continuing disability review cases, or new cases involving back-pay issues alone. We refer federal court appeals to a trusted affiliate rather than handling them in-house.
Our Texas disability representation page provides the statewide overview. You can work with our team from Dallas by phone or video.
Benefit eligibility
What must Dallas adults show for SSDI or SSI eligibility?
Duration rule
12months
SSDI generally requires enough recent work in jobs covered by Social Security and a condition that meets SSA's disability standard. The work-credit requirements depend on your age when disability began. SSA's SSDI eligibility explanation describes the work and medical requirements.
SSI has separate income and resource limits. An adult must be age 65 or older, statutorily blind, or have a qualifying disability, and meet the program's other requirements. SSI does not require an insured work record. See SSA's SSI eligibility rules for the full requirements.
For SSDI and adult SSI claims based on disability, SSA evaluates whether your medical condition prevents work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level. When the evaluation reaches those steps, SSA also considers your past work and whether you can adjust to other work. A diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility. The condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, or be expected to result in death. You do not have to wait 12 months before applying.
SSI eligibility based on age or statutory blindness differs from disability-based eligibility. SSA does not use SGA to determine initial SSI eligibility based on statutory blindness, and SSI statutory blindness has no duration requirement. Income, resource, and other SSI requirements still apply.
Local claim process
Which hearing office handles a Dallas disability appeal?
A Dallas mailing address alone does not establish your individual hearing-office assignment.
SSA's published office-address appendix lists two Dallas hearing offices: Dallas Downtown and Dallas North. Among the field offices listed under Dallas Downtown are Dallas (Fair Park) and Dallas (Oak Cliff). Dallas (North) and Pleasant Grove are among the field offices listed under Dallas North.
Those listings describe field-office service areas. A Dallas mailing address alone does not establish your individual hearing-office assignment. Identify the field office handling your claim and the hearing office named in your case correspondence. Our hearing-office guide explains the broader office map.
Use your scheduling notice for the actual appearance instructions. An in-person hearing may be at an SSA hearing office or a permanent remote site; the published listing does not establish your scheduled location.
SSA describes four ways to attend a hearing: in person, audio by telephone, agency video using SSA equipment, and online video using a personal device. Online video requires your agreement. Objections to audio or agency video are subject to SSA's rules and exceptions. Read the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing and its agreement and objection forms, and follow their response deadlines. Phone or video conversations with our team are separate from SSA's hearing arrangements.
Get organized
Build a Dallas claim file from treatment records and actual job duties
If you received treatment through Parkland, its medical-records instructions explain how to request copies in person or by mail. Follow its written-request and photo-ID requirements; mailed requests must be signed and dated. Specify the treatment dates and records you need. List any other providers separately so their records are also accounted for.
Use this checklist to organize information for an application or appeal. The goal is to connect treatment, work demands, and the agency's questions.
Treatment list: For each doctor, clinic, and hospital, record the name, contact details, patient ID if known, and treatment dates. Add medications, tests, and the providers who prescribed or ordered them.
Jobs and limitations: List recent jobs, employment dates, and actual duties. Give specific examples of how your condition affects tasks such as lifting, standing, remembering instructions, or maintaining a work schedule.
Agency correspondence: Keep complete letters together. Record the sender, when each letter arrived, the response requested, and any deadline or hearing instructions. Separate initial decisions from reconsideration decisions and hearing notices.
SSI financial information: Gather income and resource details alongside medical information. SSI's financial requirements remain separate from its age, blindness, or disability category.
SSA's application guidance says not to delay applying because you do not have all the requested documents. Start with the information and records you have.
After a denial
Responding to a Dallas denial starts with the decision and receipt date
Deadline
60days
After an initial SSDI or SSI denial, the next review stage is generally reconsideration. After an unfavorable reconsideration determination, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Written requests at these stages generally are due within 60 days after you receive the relevant notice. SSA ordinarily presumes receipt five days after the notice date unless you show that you received it later.
If your request may be late, ask SSA for an extension in writing and explain the delay. SSA must find good cause; more time is not automatic. The reconsideration rules for SSDI and SSI explain the filing period and extension request. Review the particular decision before calculating your deadline.
Common questions
Questions about Dallas applications and hearing preparation
Can I pick Dallas North because it is closer to me?
Do not assume proximity determines your assignment. SSA's published office-address appendix lists separate field-office service areas for Dallas Downtown and Dallas North. Your own case correspondence identifies the office handling your hearing request. Confirm the scheduled appearance instructions before making travel plans.
Does Parkland MyChart contain every medical record I need?
Parkland says MyChart provides some health information, including past appointments, after-appointment instructions, and some test results. Do not assume that is the complete record needed for your claim. Compare the records you have with your treatment list and use Parkland's records-request instructions for additional copies.
Can I qualify for SSI without enough work credits for SSDI?
Possibly. SSI does not require an insured work record, but you must meet its income, resource, and other requirements and be age 65 or older, statutorily blind, or have a qualifying disability. Not meeting SSDI's work requirements does not by itself establish SSI eligibility.
Do missing medical documents mean I should postpone applying?
No. SSA says not to delay applying because you do not have all the documents. Provide the treatment-source details and records you have. You can organize missing information while the application is being developed.
Discuss your claim
Discuss your Dallas application or appeal with Downard
Tell us whether you are applying, responding to a denial, or preparing for a hearing. We work with Dallas adults by phone or video and can explain how our representation addresses the next stage.