Principal Office Located at 1424 Gables Court, Plano, TX 75075
Call Today For a Free Case Evaluation
Recent Blog Posts
What Is the Difference Between SSI and SSDI in Texas?
If you are living with a disability in Texas and need financial assistance, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). While both programs offer monthly benefits to people with disabilities, they are not the same. Understanding how these programs work can be challenging, but an experienced Dallas, TX disability benefits attorney can help.
What Is Supplemental Security Income?
SSI is a needs-based program that provides monthly payments to individuals who are blind, disabled, or over the age of 65. To be eligible, you must have very limited income and very few assets. The SSI program is funded by general tax revenues rather than Social Security taxes. SSI is intended to help cover basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter.
Can Having Diabetes Qualify You for SSDI Benefits?
Having diabetes does not necessarily qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), your diabetes must cause a severe enough condition to affect your ability to work. If you have diabetes, you may have complications that could qualify you. An experienced Plano, TX SSDI attorney can help you understand how the evaluation guidelines apply to your case.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for SSDI Benefits?
To qualify for SSDI, you must meet both the medical and work requirements. Medically, you must have a severe condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months. Terminal conditions also qualify. The SSA will evaluate whether your condition matches or equals one listed in the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, commonly known as the SSA Blue Book.
Top Mistakes That Lead to SSDI Application Denial
Avoidable mistakes can lead to the denial of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and cost deserving applicants much-needed benefits. Even strong claims can be rejected due to technical errors, missing information, and misunderstandings about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability cases. With the help of an experienced Dallas, TX SSDI attorney, you can avoid these common mishaps and give your application a fighting chance.
Missing or Incomplete Medical Records for SSDI
The SSA relies heavily on medical evidence when evaluating your claim and determining whether you qualify for disability. If your medical records are inconsistent, outdated, or lacking in detail, your claim may be rejected, regardless of the severity of your condition. According to § 404.1513 of the Social Security Code of Federal Regulations, the SSA considers an extensive list of medical evidence, including:
Applying for Disability Benefits With Multiple Health Conditions
It is common for people who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to have more than one medical issue that makes it difficult or impossible for them to work. When this is the case, Social Security must consider the combined impact of all medical conditions affecting you. To ensure you properly address your health status when applying for disability, seek the guidance of an experienced Collin County, TX disability benefits attorney. Even minor health concerns can impact your claim.
How Does Social Security Consider Multiple Conditions When Applying for Disability?
When you apply for disability and mention multiple health conditions on the application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider how the combination of them affects your ability to earn a living. The first step in the evaluation process is to determine whether you are earning above the substantial gainful activity amount, which refers to money earned from work that requires significant mental or physical activity.
When Can You Get SSDI for Asthma or COPD?
Breathing is not optional. But for people with chronic lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), every breath can feel like a battle. When these conditions become severe enough to interfere with daily functioning or employment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can offer vital support — but getting approved is not always easy.
SSDI claims for respiratory illnesses are often denied the first time around. The burden of proof is high, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires detailed medical evidence showing that your condition is not only real but truly disabling. You do not have to do the hard work of proving your disability on your own. Our Dallas, TX social security disability insurance attorneys fight hard for our clients, including appealing claims that have been denied.
Can You Spend Your SSDI Benefits on Whatever You Want?
When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, it is natural to wonder whether there are restrictions on how you can use the money. After all, SSDI is a federal program meant to replace lost income for people who can no longer work due to a qualifying disability. But does that mean the government gets a say in what you spend your benefits on?
The short answer is that you can generally spend SSDI benefits however you see fit, but there are some practical and legal considerations to keep in mind. Understanding these can help protect your financial security and ensure continued eligibility for benefits, and our Collin County, TX SSDI benefit attorneys can help.
Are There Legal Restrictions on SSDI Spending?
Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a need-based program, SSDI is an entitlement program funded through payroll taxes. This means that when you are approved for SSDI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not track or limit how you use the money as long as you are not engaging in fraud.
How To Improve The Chances Of An SSDI Approval
Getting your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application approved can be a challenging process. The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that approximately 78% of SSDI applications are denied. However, you can significantly improve your odds of being approved or winning your appeal by taking proactive steps with the assistance of our highly experienced Texas SSDI attorneys. Our lawyers at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd are standing by to assist with your case and seek the benefits you need.
Check that You Meet Eligibility Requirements
Understanding and meeting specific eligibility requirements is crucial to receive your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. These requirements include:
-
Meeting the minimum work requirements. You must show that you worked for a certain number of years, usually five of the last 10, and earned the minimum work credits for Social Security (SS). SS work credits are based on your yearly earnings.
How Can An SSDI Attorney Help With My Appeal?
A disabled American who paid Social Security taxes during their career may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You may be entitled to file for SSDI if a disability prevents you from working for a year or more, such as for back injuries, heart disease, cancer, bipolar disorder, diabetes, and other severe conditions and illnesses.
Unfortunately, some SSDI applications are denied. If your claim is rejected, you may despair and wonder what your rights are. A Texas SSDI attorney may assist if your claim is denied. Contact The Law Offices of Coats & Todd today for a free consultation.
What are Your Social Security Decision Appeal Options?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows taxpayers to appeal a decision it made, such as an SSDI claim denial. The process is as follows:
Can I Still Qualify for SSDI Benefits in Texas if I Work Part-Time?
If you are in Texas and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you might wonder whether working part-time could affect your eligibility. While SSDI recipients are allowed to work under certain conditions, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict rules about income limits and reporting requirements. There are several concepts with their own acronyms that describe various guidelines and limitations. To avoid jeopardizing your benefits, speak with a knowledgeable Texas SSDI benefits attorney at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd who can explain your options.
What Is Considered Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
The SSA limits how much money you can earn monthly while still qualifying for SSDI benefits. In 2024, the "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) limit was $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. If you earned more than that from your part-time work, the SSA might consider you capable of working at a more significant level, which could disqualify you from SSDI benefits. While some SSDI recipients work part-time to supplement their income, you need to make sure you do not exceed the SGA limit to still receive your benefits.
Can I Get SSDI Benefits if I Never Worked?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to people whose disabilities prevent them from working. However, SSDI is funded through payroll taxes, so applicants typically need a work history in which they paid into the Social Security system to be eligible. SSDI is not typically made available to people who never worked, but other options, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may provide financial assistance for disabled individuals without a work history. To review your options, speak with a knowledgeable Plano, TX SSDI lawyer.
What Are the SSDI Work Credit Requirements?
When you pay Social Security taxes through employment, you earn something called a work credit, which is based on your yearly earnings. In 2025, a worker earns one credit for every $1,730 in wages, with a maximum of four credits per year. There is a minimum required number of work credits you must earn to qualify for SSDI, depending on your age when you become disabled.
Call Today For a Free Case Evaluation
972-671-9922
NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN
From our principal office in Plano, Texas, we serve clients throughout Dallas County, Denton County, Collin County, Tarrant County, and the rest of North Texas, including but not limited to Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Arlington, Irving, Denton, Carrollton, Addison, Coppell, Euless, Colleyville, Grand Prairie, Allen, Anna, Murphy, Fairview, Prosper, Lewisville, Little Elm, The Colony, Flower Mound, Duncanville, Keller, Roanoke, N.Richland Hills, Mansfield, Burleson, Benbrook, Highland Village, Argyle, Celina, Rockwall, Kaufman, Terrell, DeSoto, Tyler, Nacogdoches, Sulphur Springs, and Greenville.
