Disability Lawyers Near Me: SSDI Guide – Shreveport, Texas

Introduction: Why This SSDI Guide Matters to Shreveport, Texas Claimants

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program provides a critical lifeline to Shreveport-area workers who become unable to perform substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable impairment. Yet, according to Social Security Administration (SSA) data, most first-time SSDI applications are denied nationwide. If you live in or near Shreveport, Texas—particularly in East Texas counties such as Harrison, Marion, and Panola—you may find yourself navigating a system that is both federally administered and locally influenced. Understanding the appeals process, strict timelines, and regional resources can make the difference between continued financial stress and receiving the benefits you earned through years of FICA contributions.

This comprehensive, evidence-based guide walks you through the legal standards, federal regulations, and local options available after an SSDI denial. While the information slightly favors claimants, every statement is grounded in authoritative sources such as the Social Security Act, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and published SSA policy guidance. By the end, you will know:

• Why SSDI claims are most frequently denied

• Which federal statutes protect your right to appeal

• How to meet crucial 60-day filing deadlines under 20 CFR §404.909 and §404.933

• When hiring a Shreveport disability attorney can strengthen your case

• Where to file paperwork locally and which medical providers regularly supply SSDI evidence

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

Your Earned Benefit, Not a Handout

SSDI is funded through payroll taxes under Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §401 et seq.). Because you paid into the system, you have a statutory right to file, receive a written decision, and pursue multiple levels of appeal. These rights apply equally in Shreveport, Texas and across the nation.

Five-Step Sequential Evaluation

The SSA evaluates disability using a uniform five-step process outlined in 20 CFR §404.1520:

• Are you working above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?

• Is your impairment “severe”?

Does it meet or equal a Listing in SSA’s Blue Book?

• Can you perform your past relevant work?

• Can you adjust to other work in the national economy?

Evidence at each step can be technical—ranging from diagnostic imaging to vocational expert testimony. Missing documentation at any stage often leads to denial.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

1. Insufficient Medical Evidence

SSA adjudicators frequently find that treatment records do not contain objective findings (e.g., MRI results) proving functional limitations. In East Texas, claimants sometimes rely solely on primary-care notes at facilities like CHRISTUS Good Shepherd – Marshall. A stronger file often includes specialist opinions from regional centers—such as Willis-Knighton Health System in nearby Shreveport, LA—detailing how your condition prevents full-time work.

2. Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment

Under 20 CFR §404.1530, benefits may be denied when a claimant does not follow medically prescribed therapy without good reason. For example, declining back-surgery recommendations from LSU Health Shreveport surgeons without documentation of financial or religious objections can jeopardize an otherwise valid claim.

3. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

If you earn above the SGA limit ($1,550 per month for non-blind claimants in 2024, per SSA COLA data), the agency assumes you can work. East Texas oil-field or pipeline workers sometimes attempt part-time jobs that unintentionally exceed SGA thresholds, triggering denial.

4. Inadequate Work Credits

SSDI requires sufficient quarters of coverage (20 CFR §404.130). Workers who spent long periods self-employed without paying FICA taxes or who had gaps in employment often fall short.

5. Procedural Errors

Missed deadlines—particularly the 60-day window to request reconsideration—lead to dismissals that can only be reopened under narrow good-cause rules (20 CFR §404.911).

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

The backbone of your appeal rights is found in several key federal sources:

• Social Security Act §205(b) – Guarantees a right to a hearing and decision based on evidence.

• 20 CFR §404.909 – Sets the 60-day deadline to file a Request for Reconsideration.

• 20 CFR §404.929 – Outlines your right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

• 20 CFR §404.935 – Requires submission of all evidence at least five business days before the ALJ hearing.

• 42 U.S.C. §405(g) – Provides the avenue for federal court review after the Appeals Council denies or dismisses your claim.

Statute of Limitations for Federal Court

You must file a civil action within 60 days of receiving the Appeals Council’s final notice (42 U.S.C. §405(g)). Federal courts generally presume you received the letter five days after the mailing date (20 CFR §422.210(c)).

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Denial Letter Carefully

SSA’s Notice of Disapproved Claim specifies why you were denied and identifies missing evidence. Mark the mailing date—your 60-day clock starts the day after you receive the notice (20 CFR §404.909(a)(1)).

2. File a Request for Reconsideration

Use Form SSA-561 or file online at SSA’s official appeal portal. Submit updated medical records from facilities such as:

• Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – Academic Medical Center

• UT Health East Texas Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute, Longview

• Good Shepherd Medical Center, Marshall

Reconsideration decisions in Texas are processed by Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Austin but often involve phone or video consultative exams scheduled in Shreveport.

3. Request an ALJ Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, file Form SSA-501 within 60 days (20 CFR §404.929). Hearings for Shreveport residents are generally assigned to the Shreveport Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) located at 401 Edwards St., Suite 1300, Shreveport, LA 71101. Video hearings may also be hosted at the Social Security field office in Texarkana, Texas, depending on scheduling.

4. Submit Evidence Five Days Before the Hearing

Under 20 CFR §404.935, the ALJ may decline to consider late evidence unless you show good cause.

5. Appeals Council & Federal Court

If the ALJ denies your claim, you have 60 days to seek Appeals Council review in Falls Church, Virginia (20 CFR §404.968). After an unfavorable Appeals Council action, you may file suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, which hears many cases from East Texas and the Shreveport border region.

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Contingency-Fee Representation

Federal law caps attorney fees at the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or $7,200, subject to SSA approval (42 U.S.C. §406(a)(2), 87 Fed. Reg. 64,263 (2022) adjusting the cap). Because payment is contingent on winning, reputable shreveport disability attorney firms can represent you with minimal upfront cost.

Attorney Licensing in Texas

An SSDI lawyer must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas or admitted pro hac vice in federal court. You can verify licensure through the State Bar’s online directory (Texas Bar Lookup).

Advantages of Local Counsel

• Familiarity with Shreveport OHO judges’ evidentiary preferences

• Relationships with regional medical providers for timely records

• Ability to cross-examine vocational experts effectively

Local Resources & Next Steps

Nearest SSA Field Office Serving Shreveport, Texas Residents

Shreveport SSA Field Office

1240 S. Pointe Parkway

Shreveport, LA 71105

Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon–Fri

Phone: 866-931-9946 While located across the state line, this is the primary walk-in site for claimants from the Shreveport-Texarkana corridor.

Vocational Rehabilitation & Community Clinics

• Texas Workforce Solutions–Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Longview – Job-retraining and transferable-skills assessments.

• Marshall VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic – Provides medical evidence for veteran claimants.

• Project Dignity Dental Clinic, Shreveport – Low-cost care; dental impairments like TMJ disorders sometimes qualify when severe.

Support Groups

• Arthritis Foundation – Shreveport Chapter (meets at Willis-Knighton Pierremont)

• Mental Health America of Greater Dallas – Online peer groups accessible to East Texans

Checklist Before You File Your Appeal

• Calendar Deadlines: 60 days from denial plus 5 days mailing grace.

• Collect Evidence: Labs, imaging, RFC forms (SSA-4734-BK) from treating physicians.

• Track Medications: List side-effects that impair work stamina.

• Document Daily Limitations: Use form SSA-3373 (Function Report) honestly.

• Consult a Qualified Lawyer: Search “SSDI denial appeal Shreveport Texas” and verify bar licensure.

Conclusion

A denial letter is not the end of your SSDI journey. Federal regulations give every Shreveport, Texas claimant a structured, multi-level process to correct mistakes, submit missing evidence, and earn the benefits they paid for. By acting within strict 60-day windows, leveraging local medical resources, and—when necessary—retaining a knowledgeable shreveport disability attorney, you can dramatically improve your odds of success.

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change. Consult a licensed Texas attorney about your specific situation.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.

External References:

SSA – How to Appeal a Decision SSA – Listing of Impairments (Blue Book) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations – 20 CFR Part 404 U.S. Supreme Court SSDI Decisions