SSDI Denial Appeals Guide for Chandler, Texas Claimants

Introduction: Why Chandler Residents Need a Localized SSDI Denial Guide

Chandler, Texas may have fewer than 4,000 residents, but disability does not spare small towns. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Community Survey, nearly 12 percent of Henderson County’s working-age adults report a disability that limits work. Many turn to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for income stability, only to discover that the Social Security Administration (SSA) initially denies roughly two-thirds of first-time SSDI applications nationwide. If you live in Chandler and just opened a denial letter from SSA’s Tyler Field Office, this guide explains—step by step—how to protect your rights, meet every federal deadline, and position your appeal for success.

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Understanding Your SSDI Rights

The Legal Foundation

Your right to disability insurance benefits flows from the Social Security Act § 223 (42 U.S.C. § 423). The implementing regulations appear primarily in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1501 – 404.1599. SSA must pay monthly benefits if you:

• Worked long enough to earn the required disability insured status (also called “work credits”), and

• Have a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death that prevents substantial gainful activity (SGA).

When SSA denies your claim, you retain additional rights under 20 C.F.R. § 404.900-404.999d, including:

• A four-level administrative review process.

• The right to submit new medical and vocational evidence at each level.

• The right to representation by a qualified Texas attorney or other authorized representative (20 C.F.R. § 404.1705).

• The right to challenge adverse decisions in federal district court after exhausting administrative remedies.

Key Deadlines

Federal statute gives you 60 days (plus five mailing days) from the date you receive a written denial to file the next level of appeal (20 C.F.R. § 404.909(a)). Missing this deadline generally forfeits your appeal unless you can show “good cause” as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 404.911.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

Knowing why claims fail helps you gather stronger evidence for appeal. The following denial reasons appear frequently in decisions issued by the Tyler Field Office and in hearing opinions from the Dallas Office of Hearings Operations (OHO):

• Insufficient Medical Evidence – SSA could not confirm objective findings that match a Listing in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, nor did your records support a residual functional capacity (RFC) that rules out all work.

• Earning Above the SGA Level – If your monthly earnings exceeded the annual SGA threshold (e.g., $1,470 for non-blind claimants in 2023), SSA presumes you can work.

• Non-Compliance With Treatment – Under Social Security Ruling (SSR) 18-3p, failure to follow prescribed treatment without good reason can lead to denial.

• Insufficient Work Credits – You generally need 20 credits earned in the 40 quarters before disability onset. Older workers need fewer, younger workers more.

• Failure to Cooperate – Missed consultative examinations, unanswered SSA forms, or unreturned phone calls can result in a technical denial.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations You Should Know

1. Sequential Evaluation Process

SSA must adjudicate every SSDI application through the five-step sequential evaluation codified at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520:

• Are you engaging in SGA?

• Is your impairment “severe”?

• Does it meet or equal a Listing?

• What is your RFC?

• Can you perform past work or other work in the national economy?

If any step is decided in your favor, SSA must find you disabled without reaching later steps.

2. Treating Physician Rule (Post-2017)

For claims filed after March 27, 2017, treating opinions receive no automatic “controlling weight.” Instead, an adjudicator must evaluate persuasiveness under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c. Chandler claimants should make sure their physicians supply detailed objective findings because boilerplate statements carry little weight.

3. Right to Reasoned Decisions

SSA must provide “specific reasons” for the weight given to evidence (20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c(b)). Federal courts—such as the Fifth Circuit that covers Texas—routinely remand cases when an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) fails to give legally sufficient explanations (Newton v. Apfel, 209 F.3d 448 (5th Cir. 2000)).

4. Federal Court Review

If Appeals Council denies review, you may file a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Tyler Division) within 60 days. The court applies the “substantial evidence” standard set in 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Re-Read Your Denial Letter

Look for the “Explanation of Determination.” Highlight each stated reason, then gather evidence to rebut it. For example, if SSA cited insufficient imaging for your lumbar disorder, secure updated MRI results.

2. File a Timely Request for Reconsideration

Submit SSA-561 or complete the online form within 60 days. The Tyler Field Office—3808 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701, phone 866-931-3284—handles Chandler reconsiderations. You may submit evidence at any time before a decision.

3. Prepare for the Disability Determination Services (DDS) Review

Reconsideration is handled by a different DDS examiner in Austin, not the original one. Provide:

• Updated treatment notes from CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler and UT Health East Texas Physicians.

• Opinion letters from your treating physicians that specify functional limitations (e.g., cannot sit more than 30 minutes).

• Statements from former employers in Henderson County describing on-the-job limitations.

4. Request an Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If reconsideration fails, file form HA-501. Chandler cases are assigned to the Dallas Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), 1301 Young St., Suite 340, Dallas, TX 75202. Current average wait time (SSA data 2023) is about 10.5 months.

At least 75 days before the hearing, ALJ staff will mail you a Notice of Hearing. Submit all written evidence at least five business days before the hearing (20 C.F.R. § 404.935).

5. Appeals Council Review

If the ALJ denies benefits, request Appeals Council review online or by form HA-520. The Council in Falls Church, VA can:

• Grant review and issue its own decision.

• Remand the case to an ALJ.

• Decline review, leaving the ALJ decision final.

6. File in Federal Court

Within 60 days of the Appeals Council’s denial, file a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Most claimants engage counsel at this stage because civil procedure rules apply.

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Texas licensing rules. Only attorneys licensed by the State Bar of Texas or SSA-approved non-attorney representatives may charge fees. All fees are contingency-based and capped at the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or $7,200 (effective 11/30/2022) under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1720(b)(1).

Indicators you need a Chandler disability attorney:

• Complex medical conditions such as combined physical and mental impairments.

• Prior denials based on vocational factors.

• Adverse credibility findings by an ALJ.

• Need to cross-examine vocational or medical experts.

National statistics from SSA’s Annual Statistical Report show claimants with representation are almost three times more likely to win at the hearing level. A seasoned attorney can:

• Develop medical record timelines that align with the onset date.

• Draft pre-hearing briefs citing Fifth Circuit precedent.

• Conduct mock hearings to prepare you for ALJ questions.

• Preserve legal errors for potential federal court review.

Local Resources & Next Steps

1. SSA Chandler–Area Offices

• Tyler SSA Field Office – 3808 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75701. Phone: 866-931-3284. Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

• Dallas OHO (Hearings) – 1301 Young St., Ste. 340, Dallas, TX 75202.

2. Medical Providers Familiar With SSA Forms

• UT Health East Texas – Rehabilitation Medicine (Tyler).

• CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital (Tyler)—neurology and orthopedic records often relied upon by DDS.

3. Vocational & Community Services

• Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation (Tyler): May supply functional assessments helpful at Step 5 of the sequential evaluation.

• East Texas Center for Independent Living (ETCIL): Offers benefits counseling and peer advocacy.

4. Keeping Your Appeal Organized

Create a binder with four sections—medical, work history, SSA correspondence, and deadlines. Use a calendar to tick off the 60-day windows at each level.

Authoritative External Resources

SSA Official Appeals Overview Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — Part 404 20 C.F.R. § 404.900 (Administrative Review) SSA Publication: How Social Security Decides If You Are Disabled

Legal Disclaimer: This guide provides general information for Chandler, Texas residents and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change; consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice about your specific case.

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