Houston, Texas
Houston Disability Lawyers for SSDI and SSI
Downard & Associates represents adults in Houston, Texas, with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. We work with clients by phone or video and help with applications, reconsideration appeals, and hearings. If treatment has involved several providers, start with a list of where you received care and how your condition changed your ability to work. You can discuss your claim with us before every medical record is in hand.
How we help
How We Help Houston Adults Build an SSDI or SSI Claim
We explain what to expect and help you prepare honest, specific answers.
We help connect the application or appeal with the medical evidence and work history it needs. Working with our team by phone or video lets you discuss the claim from Houston. Our administrative claim services include:
Applications: We help prepare and file the application, gather medical evidence, and document work history so the claim describes both treatment and the work you performed.
Reconsideration appeals: We review the denial reasons, address missing evidence, and file the appeal. The reason for the decision guides what needs attention.
Hearings: We develop the medical record, prepare you to answer questions about your condition and work, and present the legal argument at the hearing. We explain what to expect and help you prepare honest, specific answers.
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 explains our statewide services. Houston clients can work with our team without traveling to Tennessee for routine claim discussions.
Benefit eligibility
What Must Houston Adults Show to Qualify for SSDI or SSI?
Duration rule
12months
SSDI generally requires enough recent work covered by Social Security. Work-credit requirements depend on your age when the disability began. SSI does not require an insured work record; it has limited-income and resource rules and other eligibility requirements. An adult may qualify through disability, statutory blindness, or age 65 or older.
For SSDI and adult SSI claims based on disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether a medically determinable condition prevents work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level. When the evaluation reaches the later steps, SSA considers whether you can do past work or adjust to other work. A claim can be decided before reaching every step. 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.
SSA does not use SGA to determine initial SSI eligibility based on statutory blindness. There is no duration requirement for SSI statutory blindness. Income, resources, and other SSI requirements still apply. SSI eligibility based on age 65 or older does not require proving disability.
Read SSA's SSDI eligibility explanation and SSI eligibility requirements for the program distinctions.
Local treatment records
Requesting Texas Tech Health El Paso records for your claim
Identify the requested records or dates of service, the recipient, the purpose of the release, and the preferred format.
If you received care through Texas Tech Health El Paso, its medical-records instructions require a completed, signed authorization before records can be released. Identify the requested records or dates of service, the recipient, the purpose of the release, and the preferred format. Be prepared to verify your identity and any authority to act for the patient.
The provider lists a separate authorization for psychotherapy notes. If those notes are part of a records request, ask Medical Records which form to use. Contact Medical Records for submission guidance before emailing protected health information.
Use these instructions for records maintained by Texas Tech Health El Paso. For a claim involving other doctors, clinics, or hospitals, list each source and its treatment dates separately. This helps identify which records belong in the claim file without assuming one provider's request covers all treatment.
Treatment records
Requesting Harris Health Records for a Houston Disability Claim
If you received care through Harris Health, its medical-records instructions explain how to request copies. You can submit its authorization form by mail, fax, or email with a copy of your photo ID. A written request is another option; identify the dates or types of records, the recipient, the purpose, and the other information Harris Health requires. In-person requests require photo ID. Patients can also view health information through MyHealth.
Before making a request, write down the treatment dates and the visits, tests, or hospital stays you want included. If you also saw providers outside Harris Health, list them separately with their contact information and treatment dates. Give SSA complete information about your treatment sources; a request to one provider should not replace that list.
Do not postpone an application while collecting copies. SSA says you should apply even if you do not have all the documents. Keep the evidence you already have and identify records that still need to be obtained.
Get organized
Organize Treatment and Work Details for Your Houston Claim
Include when you reduced hours or stopped working and why.
Use these steps to prepare for an application, an appeal, or a conversation with our team:
List each treatment source. Record the provider or facility name, contact details, and treatment dates. Identify Harris Health care and care elsewhere separately.
Identify existing records. Note which visit notes, test reports, or discharge records you already have and which dates still need attention.
Record treatment and medications. Include the treatment received, medication names, and the prescribers. Note the dates and locations of important tests.
Describe actual job duties. Record what you lifted, how long you stood or sat, and the concentration or pace your job required. Include when you reduced hours or stopped working and why.
Use concrete examples of limitations. Describe tasks you cannot complete, the breaks or help you need, and how often the difficulty occurs. Keep the description accurate rather than using only a diagnosis.
Local claim process
Understanding Houston North and Houston West Hearing Offices
SSA's hearing-office directory lists Houston North and Houston West. Houston Downtown and Houston Northeast are among the field offices listed under Houston North. Houston Northwest and Houston Southwest are among those listed under Houston West. These are field-office service listings, not a rule that assigns every Houston resident to the same hearing office.
The similar names can be confusing: a Houston Northwest field-office listing appears under Houston West, not Houston North. Check the office named in your case correspondence rather than choosing a hearing office by its name or distance from home. Our hearing-office guide explains how to use office information.
A directory entry does not establish your scheduled hearing location or appearance method. SSA may use a hearing office or another hearing site for an in-person appearance. Follow the scheduling notice for your case; SSA's in-person hearing guidance also explains where to find the handling office's phone number on hearing correspondence.
After a denial
Responding to an SSDI or SSI Denial in Houston
Deadline
60days
For an initial SSDI or SSI denial, reconsideration generally must be requested within 60 days after receiving the notice. After a reconsideration denial, a request for an administrative law judge hearing generally has the same 60-day receipt-based period. SSA generally presumes receipt five days after the notice date unless you show that you received it later. Do not treat this as an unconditional 65-day deadline from the letter's date.
If the request is late, an extension request must be in writing and explain the delay. SSA evaluates whether you had good cause; acceptance is not automatic. Keep the notice and any evidence of when it arrived. The SSDI reconsideration rule and SSI reconsideration rule explain these requirements.
When you contact us about a denial, share the decision and any treatment updates since it was issued. We can review the denial reasons and discuss the evidence needed for the next administrative stage.
Common questions
Questions About Houston Disability Claims
Can I ask Harris Health to send records to someone else?
Yes. Harris Health's written-request instructions ask you to identify who should receive the records and why you need them. Complete its authorization form or follow the written-request requirements, including your signature and a copy of your photo ID.
What if my treatment was split between Harris Health and other providers?
List every treatment source with contact information and dates of care. SSA asks for complete medical-source information. Identify which records you already have and which still need to be obtained; do not assume a single record request covers care from every provider.
Does hiring Downard mean I must travel from Houston to Tennessee?
No. We work with Houston clients by phone or video for claim discussions and preparation. Your SSA hearing is a separate proceeding, with its own appearance instructions. Working remotely with our team does not determine the hearing format.
Can I attend my Social Security hearing from home?
Possibly. SSA offers four appearance methods: in person, audio by telephone, agency video using SSA equipment, and online video using your own device. Online video requires your agreement. Audio and agency-video objections follow SSA rules and exceptions, including certain moves and extraordinary circumstances. Review the Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing and its forms, respond within the applicable time limits, and follow the scheduling notice. SSA's hearing-options explanation describes the methods; a phone or video meeting with our team does not set your hearing method.
Discuss your claim
Discuss Your Houston Disability Claim With Downard
Tell us whether you are applying, appealing a denial, or preparing for a hearing. Share where you have received treatment and what has changed in your ability to work. We can discuss the next step by phone or video.