SSDI Lawyers Near You – College Station, Texas Guide

Introduction: Why College Station Claimants Need a Local SSDI Guide

Each year, hundreds of Brazos County residents apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) only to receive an unexpected denial letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you live in College Station—or nearby Bryan, Navasota, or Caldwell—the denial can feel even more frustrating because the closest face-to-face help is usually the Bryan Social Security Field Office, 2804 S. Texas Ave, Bryan, TX 77802, phone 866-568-9428. Understanding the appeals process, federal regulations, and local resources is essential for turning that "no" into a "yes." This comprehensive guide—grounded exclusively in authoritative sources such as the Code of Federal Regulations (20 CFR) and SSA policy manuals—covers everything College Station claimants need to know after an SSDI denial.

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Understanding Your SSDI Rights

Who Qualifies for SSDI?

SSDI provides monthly benefits to workers who have:

• Earned sufficient work credits under 20 CFR 404.110–404.120.

• A medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death (20 CFR 404.1505).

• Inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA); for 2024 the SGA level for non-blind claimants is $1,550 per month.

Key Federal Rights

• The Right to Written Notice. SSA must explain the denial in writing per Social Security Act §205(b).

• The Right to Appeal. 20 CFR 404.900 guarantees a four-step administrative appeal process.

• The Right to Representation. You may appoint an attorney or qualified representative; fees are regulated under 20 CFR 404.1720–404.1730.

• The Right to Examine Your File. SSA must let you review your electronic or paper claims file on request.

Knowing these rights empowers you to challenge the decision rather than start a new application—which usually restarts the clock on back pay.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

According to SSA’s Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, more than 60% of initial claims are denied nationwide. The most frequent reasons include:

• Medical Insufficiency. Your records do not prove that your impairment meets or equals a Listing (20 CFR Pt 404, Subpt P, App 1) or prevents all SGA.

• Duration Requirement Not Met. Conditions must be expected to last 12 months—short-term conditions such as simple fractures often fail this test.

• Earnings Above SGA. If you worked after onset and earned above SGA, SSA presumes you are not disabled.

• Lack of Work Credits. Workers younger than 31 often overlook the “half-time” work test in 20 CFR 404.130.

• Non-compliance with Treatment. Failing to follow prescribed therapy without good cause (20 CFR 404.1530) can sink a claim.

Because College Station is home to Texas A&M University and a large student workforce, applicants sometimes lack the required recent work credits, leading to technical denials that have nothing to do with medical evidence.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

Core Regulations That Govern SSDI Appeals

• 20 CFR 404.900 et seq. – Lays out the four-level administrative review (Reconsideration, ALJ Hearing, Appeals Council, Federal Court).

• 20 CFR 404.968–404.983. – Details Appeals Council review standards, timelines, and claimant rights.

Statute of Limitations for Filing Appeals

You generally have 60 days from the date you receive a denial notice to request the next appeal step (20 CFR 404.909, 404.933). SSA presumes you receive the notice five days after mailing. Missing the deadline usually ends the claim unless you show good cause under 20 CFR 404.911.

How Federal Courts Shape SSDI Law

Fifth Circuit decisions, binding in Texas, often clarify vocational evidence and medical opinion standards. For example, Audler v. Astrue, 501 F.3d 446 (5th Cir. 2007) held that ALJs must discuss evidence supporting RFC findings—an argument your attorney can raise if the ALJ overlooks crucial medical data from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Notice of Disapproved Claim Carefully

The first page identifies whether the denial was "medical" or "technical." This dictates what evidence to gather for Reconsideration.

2. File a Request for Reconsideration (Form SSA-561)

Deadline: 60 days. You can submit online through SSA’s official appeal portal or deliver the form to the Bryan field office. Attach updated doctor visits, MRIs, or lab results from CHI St. Joseph Health.

3. Request an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing

If Reconsideration is denied—common in over 85% of cases in Texas—you have 60 days to ask for an ALJ hearing (Form HA-501). College Station cases are assigned to the Houston-Bissonnet Office of Hearing Operations (OHO), where the average wait is about 9–11 months, per SSA’s Region 6 data.

4. Prepare for the Hearing

• Obtain a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) statement from your treating physician.

• Collect third-party statements from family, co-workers, or professors (for student claimants).

Review the sequential evaluation process so you understand how the ALJ will analyze your case.

5. Appeals Council Review

Unfavorable ALJ decision? File Form HA-520 within 60 days. The Appeals Council in Falls Church, VA will review legal errors, policy violations, or new material evidence.

6. File a Federal Court Lawsuit

You have 60 days after Appeals Council denial to sue the Commissioner in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (28 U.S.C. §405(g)). Federal litigation requires an attorney admitted to that court.

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Attorney Fee Structure

Under 42 U.S.C. §406(a) and 20 CFR 404.1720, attorney fees are typically contingency-based and capped at 25% of past-due benefits or $7,200, whichever is less, unless a federal judge approves a higher amount.

Benefits of Hiring a College Station Disability Attorney

• Local Medical Insight. Attorneys regularly subpoena records from Baylor Scott & White, St. Joseph Health, and Central Texas Sports Medicine.

• Familiarity with Houston-area ALJs. Knowing each judge’s evidentiary preferences can influence case strategy.

• Vocational Expert (VE) Cross-Examination. An attorney can challenge VE testimony regarding job numbers in the regional economy.

• No Upfront Cost. Fees are paid only if you win benefits.

Texas Licensing Requirements

All attorneys representing you in state or federal courts must be members in good standing of the State Bar of Texas. You may verify a lawyer’s license at the Texas Bar’s official website.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Social Security Offices Serving College Station

Bryan Field Office 2804 S. Texas Ave, Bryan, TX 77802 Phone: 866-568-9428 Hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Houston-Bissonnet OHO (for ALJ Hearings) 6500 S. Gessner Rd, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77036

Free & Low-Cost Medical Providers

• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station (700 Scott & White Dr., 979-207-0100)

• Health For All Clinic (3030 East 29th St., Bryan; sliding-scale primary care)

Support Groups & Non-Profits

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Brazos Valley – weekly peer support groups.

• Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley – vocational rehabilitation referrals if you consider a return-to-work plan.

Immediate Action Checklist

• Mark your 60-day deadline on the calendar.

• Request your electronic claims file (e-Folder) from SSA.

• Schedule follow-up appointments with specialists and request detailed RFC forms.

• Consult a college station disability attorney to review merits and develop VE cross-examination questions.

Authoritative References

SSA: How to Appeal a Decision 20 CFR Part 404 – Federal Regulations for SSDI Social Security Act §205 SSA Listing of Impairments (Blue Book)

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change; consult a licensed Texas attorney regarding 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.