SSDI Denial Appeal Guide for Shreveport, Texas

Introduction: SSDI Denials in Shreveport, Texas

Being denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is frustrating, especially when your health keeps you from working. In the Shreveport area of East Texas—an economic hub along Interstate 20—hundreds of residents file disability claims every year. According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Dallas Region workload data, roughly 65–70 percent of first-time SSDI applications are denied statewide. If you recently received a denial letter at a Shreveport mailing address, you have a limited window to fight back. This guide explains your federal rights, common denial reasons, and the exact appeal steps—all with a slight but evidence-based tilt toward safeguarding claimants.

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1. Understanding Your SSDI Rights

1.1 What SSDI Offers

SSDI provides monthly cash benefits and Medicare coverage to workers who have accumulated enough quarters of coverage (work credits) and meet the Social Security Act’s strict disability definition found at 42 U.S.C. § 423(d). Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSDI is an earned benefit—you paid FICA taxes for it.

1.2 Key Federal Protections

• Notice and Opportunity to be Heard: Under 20 C.F.R. § 404.902, SSA must issue a written decision with the specific reasons for denial.

• 60-Day Appeal Period: 20 C.F.R. § 404.909(a)(1) gives you 60 days (plus five for mailing) to request reconsideration. Missing this deadline almost always means starting over.

• Right to Representation: 20 C.F.R. § 404.1705 allows you to appoint an attorney or qualified non-attorney representative. In Texas, lawyers must hold an active license from the State Bar of Texas.

• Evidence Rules: SSA evaluates medical evidence under the “five-step sequential evaluation” at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Properly submitted records can win a claim even before hearing.

2. Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

• Insufficient Medical Evidence – SSA needs objective diagnostics (e.g., MRIs, labs) and detailed treatment notes. Form letters from doctors rarely satisfy 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513.

Lack of Recent Work Credits – Claimants must generally have worked 5 of the 10 years before onset. SSA’s work credit chart explains the formula.

• Ability to Perform Past Work – At Step 4 of the sequential process, SSA may decide you can return to a previous job.

Ability to Adjust to Other Work – Step 5 looks at age, education, and transferable skills using the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (Grid Rules).

• Non-Medical Issues – Missed consultative exams, incomplete forms, or earnings above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels (20 C.F.R. § 404.1574) can trigger a technical denial.

3. Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

3.1 Statutory Authority

The SSDI program is established under Title II of the Social Security Act. Section 205(b) (42 U.S.C. § 405(b)) guarantees administrative due process, while Section 223(d) defines disability. Federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, enforce these provisions when reviewing final agency decisions.

3.2 Appeals Pathway in the Code of Federal Regulations

• Reconsideration (20 C.F.R. § 404.907) – A different SSA examiner reviews your file. You can submit new evidence.

• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing (20 C.F.R. § 404.929) – Conducted by the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). You may testify and cross-examine vocational experts.

• Appeals Council Review (20 C.F.R. § 404.967) – Located in Falls Church, VA, the Appeals Council looks for legal or procedural errors.

• Federal District Court (42 U.S.C. § 405(g)) – Final judicial review. For Shreveport residents, filings go to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division.

Each level has the same 60-day filing window.

4. Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

Step 1: Read the Denial Letter Carefully

SSA mails a Notice of Disapproved Claim citing medical and technical reasons. Highlight every paragraph; these clues guide your appeal strategy.

Step 2: Calendar Your Filing Deadline

Add 60 days + 5 mailing days from the date on the letter. Missing this date usually requires good cause under 20 C.F.R. § 404.911.

Step 3: File a Timely Request for Reconsideration

You may file online through SSA’s iAppeals portal, by mail, or in person at an SSA field office. Keep a stamped copy or electronic receipt as proof.

Step 4: Gather New Medical Evidence

Under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1510, SSA must consider any relevant evidence during reconsideration. Focus on objective imaging, specialist opinions, and detailed functional capacity evaluations.

Step 5: Prepare for an ALJ Hearing

If reconsideration fails, request a hearing. The Dallas Regional OHO schedules Shreveport cases primarily at the Texarkana Hearing Office. Video hearings are increasingly common. Key tips:

• Submit evidence at least five business days before the hearing (20 C.F.R. § 404.935).

• Practice answering questions about daily activities and work history.

• Consider a shreveport disability attorney to question vocational experts.

Step 6: Appeals Council and Federal Court

If the ALJ denies your claim, you may request Appeals Council review online or via Form SSA-520. If that fails, file a civil action in district court within 60 days.

5. When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

National studies published in the Social Security Bulletin show represented claimants win at substantially higher rates than pro se applicants. Texas lawyers must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas (State Bar website). Under federal law, attorney fees are capped at the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or $7,200 (effective Nov. 30, 2022) and only payable on winning. Hiring counsel early ensures deadlines, evidence, and medical opinions are managed correctly.

6. Local Resources & Next Steps

6.1 Nearby SSA Field Offices Serving Shreveport, Texas Residents

Longview, TX Field Office 611 Clinic Dr., Longview, TX 75605 Phone: (888) 748-2372 Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Marshall, TX Field Office 601 E. Pinecrest Dr., Marshall, TX 75670 Phone: (866) 365-1857

Always call ahead to confirm hours or request accommodations.

6.2 Medical Facilities Commonly Cited in SSDI Claims

• CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center–Longview

• UT Health East Texas – Henderson

• Specialists in nearby Tyler and Texarkana for neurology, orthopedics, and cardiology

6.3 Community Assistance

• East Texas Workforce Solutions – Helps document unsuccessful work attempts.

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas – May offer free advice on basic SSDI forms.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change. Consult a licensed Texas attorney for guidance on 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.