SSDI Lawyers Near Me: Fort Collins, Texas Guide

Introduction: SSDI Denials in Fort Collins, Texas

If you live in or near Fort Collins, Texas and have received a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) denial letter, you are not alone. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies a significant percentage of initial disability applications nationwide—more than 60 percent according to the SSA’s Annual Statistical Report. A denial does not mean you are ineligible; it simply means you must pursue the SSA’s multi-level appeals process. Understanding the strict federal rules, tight deadlines, and local resources can make the difference between another denial and finally receiving monthly benefits and Medicare coverage.

This location-specific guide favors protecting claimants while remaining fully grounded in authoritative sources such as the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., and the Code of Federal Regulations (20 C.F.R. Part 404). It explains why SSDI claims are denied, what federal rights you have, the exact steps to appeal, and how to leverage Texas-based legal and medical resources.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

Eligibility Basics

SSDI is a federally administered insurance program funded by payroll taxes. To qualify, you must:

• Have worked long enough and recently enough to meet the work-credit test in 20 C.F.R. § 404.130.

• Show that your medically determinable impairment has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death (20 C.F.R. § 404.1509).

• Be unable to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1572.

Due-Process Protections

The Social Security Act and the Fifth Amendment guarantee procedural due process. You have the right to:

• Written notice explaining the reasons for denial (42 U.S.C. § 405(b)(1)).

• A formal appeals process consisting of Reconsideration, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, Appeals Council review, and federal court review.

• Representation by an attorney or other qualified individual at any stage (20 C.F.R. § 404.1705).

Under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), you may even recover attorney’s fees if you win in federal court and the government’s position was not substantially justified.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

Knowing why claims are denied helps you gather the right evidence for an appeal:

• Insufficient Medical Evidence. SSA requires objective documentation from acceptable medical sources (20 C.F.R. § 404.1513). Missing test results, specialist reports, or longitudinal treatment records often trigger denials.

• Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment. If you do not follow medical advice without good cause, the agency may find you could return to work (20 C.F.R. § 404.1530).

• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Findings. Claims examiners may conclude you can still perform past relevant work or adjust to other work.

• Earnings Above SGA. In 2024, earning more than $1,550 per month (non-blind) may show you can engage in substantial gainful activity.

• Technical Issues. Examples include insufficient work credits, incomplete forms, or missed deadlines.

Tip: A detailed, updated RFC assessment from your treating physician that addresses specific functional limitations can counter many of these denial reasons.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

Key Statutes and Regulations Every Fort Collins Claimant Should Know

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.909. Establishes a 60-day deadline to file a Request for Reconsideration after receiving the initial denial notice.

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.933. Provides the same 60-day deadline to request an ALJ hearing if Reconsideration is denied.

• 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Authorizes claimants to file a civil action in U.S. District Court within 60 days of an Appeals Council denial.

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512. Specifies your burden to prove disability with “objective medical evidence from an acceptable medical source.”

Statute of Limitations for Federal Court

You have 60 days from the date you receive the Appeals Council denial (presumed five days after the letter date) to file in federal court. Missing that deadline generally ends the claim, although the court may allow late filing for “good cause,” narrowly interpreted (SSR 91-5p).

Texas Attorney Licensing Rules

Texas disability attorneys must be members in good standing of the State Bar of Texas. For representation before SSA only, non-attorneys may be eligible if they meet 20 C.F.R. § 404.1705 criteria, but only Texas-licensed lawyers can file federal court actions in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Western, or Southern Districts of Texas.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Review the Denial Letter in Detail

The notice explains what evidence was considered, what Listings were evaluated, and why you were found able to work. Highlight every reason cited by SSA—these are the issues you must rebut on appeal.

2. File a Timely Request for Reconsideration (60-Day Deadline)

Use Form SSA-561 or the online appeal portal. Attach updated medical records, new diagnoses, or evidence of worsening symptoms. In Texas, reconsiderations are processed by Disability Determination Services (DDS), a division of Texas Health and Human Services located at 4400 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756.

3. Prepare for the Administrative Law Judge Hearing

Only about 13 percent of claims are paid at Reconsideration, so most cases move to an ALJ hearing. The ALJ is independent of DDS and will take new evidence and testimony. Key preparation steps include:

• Submitting a written pre-hearing brief summarizing legal arguments.

• Obtaining an updated RFC questionnaire from your treating physician.

• Securing vocational expert (VE) opinion letters when possible.

Hearings for Fort Collins, Texas claimants are typically scheduled through the Dallas Regional Office of Hearings Operations. Depending on your ZIP code, you may appear via video at an SSA-approved hearing site in Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, or Wichita Falls. Confirm the exact location using SSA’s scheduling notice.

4. Appeals Council Review

If the ALJ denies your claim, you have 60 days to request Appeals Council review. The Council looks for legal or procedural errors; new evidence is accepted only under limited circumstances (20 C.F.R. § 404.970).

5. Federal Court

Finally, you may file in federal court. In most Fort Collins, Texas cases—depending on county—the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas will have jurisdiction. The court reviews whether the SSA’s decision is supported by “substantial evidence” and follows proper legal standards.

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

An experienced fort collins disability attorney can:

• Identify missing evidence or procedural errors.

• Cross-examine vocational and medical experts at the ALJ hearing.

• Draft persuasive legal briefs citing regulations and federal cases such as Brown v. Colvin, 61 F. Supp. 3d 552 (N.D. Tex. 2014).

• File federal court complaints and argue motions for summary judgment.

Attorney fees are contingent and capped at 25 percent of past-due benefits, not to exceed $7,200, per 42 U.S.C. § 406(a)(2)(A) (adjusted periodically by the Commissioner).

Signs You Should Retain Counsel

• You have multiple chronic conditions requiring extensive medical evidence.

• You previously lost at Reconsideration or ALJ levels without representation.

• You have work above SGA but need to argue an unsuccessful work attempt.

• You are unsure how to question vocational experts or interpret the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2).

Local Resources & Next Steps

Nearest SSA Field Offices Serving Fort Collins, Texas Residents

The SSA does not list a stand-alone “Fort Collins, Texas” field office as of 2024. Most residents in North-Central Texas are routed to the following offices (verify using the SSA’s Field Office Locator):

• Amarillo SSA Office: 4757 S Bowie St., Amarillo, TX 79110

• Lubbock SSA Office: 5826 16th St., Lubbock, TX 79416

• Abilene SSA Office: 1202 E South 11th St., Abilene, TX 79602

You can also call the SSA national line at 800-772-1213 or schedule appointments online.

Medical Evidence Providers

High-quality treatment records strengthen your SSDI denial appeal fort collins texas strategy. Regional hospitals and clinics that frequently provide records for disability cases include:

• Hendrick Health System, Abilene

• Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Amarillo

• UMC Health System, Lubbock

Always request complete charts, imaging results, and specialist notes covering at least 12 months.

Texas Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) offers vocational rehabilitation that can document unsuccessful work attempts or confirm the need for job accommodations—evidence often useful at the ALJ stage.

Free or Low-Cost Legal Clinics

• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas: 888-529-5277

• Texas Legal Services Center: 800-622-2520

• State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service: 800-252-9690

Authoritative References

SSA Appeals Process Official Page SSA Field Office Locator 20 C.F.R. Part 404 (Disability Insurance) Social Security Act Title II

Legal Disclaimer: This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently, and every case is unique. 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.