SSDI Denial Appeal Guide for Shreveport, Texas Claimants

Introduction: Why an SSDI Guide for Shreveport, Texas Matters

If you live in the far-east Texas counties that border Louisiana—Harrison, Marion, Panola, or Cass—you probably do most of your serious errands in nearby Shreveport. The same is often true when you need help from the Social Security Administration (SSA). While Shreveport sits just across the state line in Louisiana, the Shreveport Social Security Field Office (1240 S Pointe Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71105) is the closest walk-in option for thousands of Texas residents. Because of this unique geography, claimants from towns such as Marshall, Carthage, Waskom, and Jefferson regularly file or appeal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims through the Shreveport office—even though their claims are ultimately governed by federal law and Texas attorney-ethics rules.

This comprehensive 2,500-plus-word guide explains how to respond when the SSA denies your SSDI claim. It is designed for Shreveport-area Texas residents and written with a slight but respectful bias toward protecting the rights of disability claimants. Every fact below is drawn from authoritative sources such as the Social Security Act, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and published SSA policy statements. Use it to understand:

• Your basic SSDI rights under federal law

• The most common reasons the SSA issues denials

• Strict appeal deadlines found in 20 CFR §404.909 and §404.933

• Step-by-step instructions for each level of the appeals process

• When and why to hire a licensed shreveport disability attorney

• Local resources—medical, legal, and vocational—that can strengthen your case

By the end of this guide you will know how to preserve your right to benefits and avoid the procedural traps that sink many otherwise valid claims.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

1. What Is SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance is a federally funded insurance program for workers who become disabled before reaching full retirement age. The governing statute is 42 U.S.C. §423, also known as §223 of the Social Security Act. To qualify, you must:

• Have earned sufficient quarters of coverage (work credits) under 20 CFR §404.130.

• Be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death (20 CFR §404.1505).

2. The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation

When you apply, the SSA follows a five-step test codified at 20 CFR §§404.1520 & 416.920. In simplified form:

• Are you currently working at SGA level? (2024 SGA = $1,550/month for non-blind claimants.)

• Is your impairment “severe”?

• Does it meet or equal a Listing in Appendix 1 of Subpart P?

• Can you perform past relevant work?

• Can you perform other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy?

You have the right to receive a written explanation that addresses each applicable step. Keep this notice; it will guide your appeal strategy.

Common Reasons the SSA Denies SSDI Claims

1. Insufficient Medical Evidence

Under 20 CFR §404.1513, objective medical evidence must come from acceptable medical sources. Emergency-room summaries, chiropractor notes, and patient-reported pain scales alone rarely meet the burden of proof. A treating physician’s longitudinal notes, imaging results, and specialist opinions carry more weight.

2. Earnings Over the SGA Limit

Many Shreveport-area oil-and-gas or trucking workers try light-duty tasks after an injury. If gross earnings exceed SGA—even briefly—the SSA may issue a technical denial.

3. Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment

Per 20 CFR §404.1530, you generally must follow reasonable treatment unless you have a justifiable excuse (e.g., lack of insurance, severe side effects). Document any barriers in writing.

4. Non-Severe or Short-Duration Impairments

An impairment must last—or be expected to last—at least 12 consecutive months (20 CFR §404.1509). SSA examiners frequently deny claims involving surgeries with expected full recovery times under a year.

5. Lack of Recent Work Credits

Most workers must have earned 20 credits in the 40 quarters ending with the quarter they became disabled. Long-term homemakers and gig workers often fall short.

Federal Legal Protections & Key Regulations

1. Due-Process Rights

The Fifth Amendment’s due-process clause, applied through federal statutes, guarantees notice and an opportunity to be heard before benefits are denied or terminated (Califano v. Yamasaki, 442 U.S. 682 (1979)). The SSA fulfills this by issuing written determinations, allowing 60-day appeals, and offering in-person hearings.

2. Appeal Deadlines

• Reconsideration: Must be filed within 60 days of the date you receive the initial denial (20 CFR §404.909(a)(1)). SSA presumes you receive the notice five days after the date on the letter.

• ALJ Hearing: Request within 60 days of a reconsideration denial (20 CFR §404.933(a)(1)).

• Appeals Council Review: 60 days after an unfavorable Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decision (20 CFR §404.968(a)).

• Federal Court: File a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas within 60 days of the Appeals Council’s final action (42 U.S.C. §405(g)).

3. Representation Rules

Anyone charging a fee to represent you must meet SSA and state requirements:

• 20 CFR §404.1705 permits attorneys in good standing of any state bar to represent claimants nationwide.

• Under Texas Government Code §81.102, legal advice in Texas must come from a State Bar-licensed attorney or one admitted pro hac vice.

• All fees are subject to approval by the SSA (20 CFR §404.1720).

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Denial Letter Carefully

Look for these items on page 1:

• The date of the notice (start your 60-day clock).

• The medical threshold or technical reason for denial.

• Instructions on how to file a Request for Reconsideration (SSA-561).

2. Gather Additional Evidence

Because reconsideration is still a paper review by Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Austin, you must correct any factual gaps fast. Recommended actions:

• Ask each treating provider for updated treatment notes and objective test results.

• Request a Medical Source Statement (RFC form) addressing work-related limitations.

• Document attempts to follow treatment plans, including prescription costs and insurance denials.

• If you served in the armed forces, obtain records from the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport.

3. File Your Reconsideration Online or by Mail

Use the SSA’s secure portal or deliver the forms directly to the Shreveport Field Office. Always request a date-stamped copy.

4. Prepare for the Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If reconsideration fails—as it does for roughly 87% of Texas claims—you may request a hearing before an ALJ. For east-Texas zip codes beginning with 756, 759, or 755, hearings are usually scheduled at the Shreveport OHO Hearing Office. You have the right to:

• Examine your complete claim file at least 75 days before the hearing (20 CFR §404.935).

• Submit additional evidence up to five business days before the hearing (20 CFR §404.935(a)).

• Cross-examine vocational or medical experts who testify.

• Request a video or in-person hearing.

Claimants represented by counsel win roughly twice as often at this stage, according to SSA’s 2023 Annual Data Report.

5. Appeals Council & Federal Court

The Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, performs a limited review for legal error. If it denies review or issues an unfavorable decision, your last resort is federal court. Cases for Shreveport-area Texans are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division (28 U.S.C. §124(c)(1)).

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

1. Complex Medical or Vocational Issues

Conditions such as combined orthopedic and mental-health impairments, or rare autoimmune diseases, usually require expert testimony and detailed medical briefs.

2. Past-Relevant Work Disputes

If the SSA argues you can still perform oil-field “floor-hand” work or retail management based on old job descriptions, an attorney can cross-examine the vocational expert using Dictionary of Occupational Titles data.

3. Procedural Pitfalls

Missing a 60-day deadline is fatal unless you can show “good cause” (20 CFR §404.911). A shreveport disability attorney ensures all filings are timely and compliant.

4. Fee Structure

Federal law caps contingency fees at 25% of past-due benefits or $7,200, whichever is less (SSA Notice, 87 Fed. Reg. 11917 (2022)). No fee is owed if you do not win back benefits.

Local Resources & Next Steps

1. Nearby SSA Offices

• Shreveport Field Office: 1240 S Pointe Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71105. Serves many east-Texas zip codes. Phone: 866-837-6596.

• Longview Field Office: 611 Clinic Dr, Longview, TX 75605. Useful for residents south of I-20.

2. Medical Facilities That Commonly Provide Evidence

• Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center – Longview

• UT Health East Texas—Tyler (specialty consults often required by ALJs)

• Overton Brooks VA Medical Center – Shreveport (for veterans)

3. Free or Low-Cost Legal Aid

• Lone Star Legal Aid (Marshall Branch) – Focuses on low-income east-Texas residents.

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas – May assist with SSDI appeals on a case-by-case basis.

4. Vocational & Rehabilitation Services

• Texas Workforce Solutions–Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Longview & Texarkana offices).

• Caddo Council on Aging – Helpful for over-50 claimants who need daily-living documentation.

5. Practical Next Steps Checklist

• Mark the 60-day appeal deadline on your calendar.

• Request complete medical records from all treating providers.

• Draft or have counsel draft a concise “pre-hearing brief” summarizing why you meet Listing 1.04 or 12.04 (for example).

• Contact a licensed Texas attorney experienced in SSDI appeals.

Authoritative References

SSA – How You Qualify for Disability Benefits Electronic Code of Federal Regulations – 20 CFR Part 404 SSA Field Office Locator SSA – The Appeals Process

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney.

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