If you’re living in Texas and struggling with a physical or mental condition that makes it hard—or impossible—to work, can you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits? The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two main programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The two programs have different eligibility rules, but both require that your condition is severe enough to keep you from performing substantial work for at least 12 continuous months.
At The GCC Law Firm, we’ve helped thousands of people across Texas and the country win the disability benefits they deserve. Whether you’re just starting your application or you’ve been denied, our experience and detailed understanding of the Social Security system can help you avoid common missteps and improve your chances of success.
What Medical Conditions Qualify For Disability In Texas?
You can qualify for disability benefits in Texas if you have a medical condition—physical, mental, or a combination of both—that prevents you from working full time. The Social Security Administration uses a guide called the Listing of Impairments, sometimes referred to as the “Blue Book,” to determine whether certain conditions automatically meet their standards for disability. The Blue Book listings cover these conditions, among others:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: severe back injuries, joint dysfunction, amputation, degenerative disc disease, and fractures that don’t heal properly.
- Cardiovascular conditions: congestive heart failure, chronic heart disease, and recurrent arrhythmias.
- Neurological disorders: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and stroke-related complications.
- Respiratory illnesses: COPD, asthma (when severe and persistent), cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Mental health disorders: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and PTSD.
- Autoimmune diseases: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Cancers: certain cancers that are aggressive or require ongoing treatment, including leukemia, lymphoma, and some advanced solid tumors.
- Endocrine disorders: diabetes complications, thyroid gland disorders, and adrenal gland conditions.
It’s important to understand that simply having a diagnosis is not enough. What matters most is how your condition limits your daily activities and your ability to perform work-related tasks. You must be unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity,” or SGA, for at least twelve months due to your medical issues.
Do Mental Health Conditions Qualify For Disability In Texas?
Yes. Mental health impairments are considered just as serious as physical ones. The SSA recognizes a wide range of psychiatric conditions that qualify for disability benefits when severe enough to prevent someone from working full time, including:
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Intellectual disability
- Borderline personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
To qualify, the condition must be well-documented and severe enough to interfere with your ability to maintain full-time work. The SSA considers how well you’re able to function with understanding information, interacting with others, maintaining focus, and managing yourself day to day.
Just because your condition does not match an exact listing in the Blue Book does not mean you won’t qualify for disability benefits. You may still qualify based on the combined effects of multiple conditions or based on what’s known as a “residual functional capacity” (RFC) assessment. At The GCC Law Firm, we help clients develop their RFC profiles using supporting records from their doctors, therapists, and other treatment providers to show the full picture of how they’ve been impacted by their impairments.
How Does The SSA Evaluate Medical Conditions?
When you apply for SSDI or SSI benefits in Texas, your medical records are reviewed by a state agency called the Disability Determination Services (DDS). They look for objective evidence to support your claim, including:
- Doctor’s reports
- Imaging results (MRIs, X-rays, CT scans)
- Hospital records
- Lab work
- Treatment history
- Psychiatric evaluations (for mental health conditions)
We often see cases where clients who tried to file a disability claim by themselves were unfairly denied because the records submitted were incomplete, vague, or misunderstood. That’s why having a knowledgeable disability attorney from The GCC Law Firm can make a major difference in the outcome.
What If Your Condition Doesn’t Match An SSA Listing?
You can still be approved. The SSA allows for “medical-vocational allowances” when someone’s condition doesn’t exactly match a Blue Book listing, but their limitations are still too serious to allow for full-time work. Your age, education level, job experience, and physical or mental restrictions are all factored in the decision.
This is where many claims are won or lost—and it’s where the team at The GCC Law Firm stands out. We know how to organize a claim to show that, even without meeting a specific listing, your impairments make full-time work impossible. Our approach focuses on documentation, precision, and persistence at every step.
When Should You Contact A Texas Disability Attorney?
If you’re applying for disability benefits in Texas—or thinking about it—the sooner you reach out, the better. The SSA has strict deadlines, and many applications are denied the first time due to avoidable mistakes or missing evidence. Working with The GCC Law Firm can give you a better chance of getting approved early or successfully appealing a denial.
We understand how overwhelming you may feel, especially when your health is interfering with your daily living. That’s why we handle every part of the process: gathering medical records, completing paperwork, filing appeals, and representing you in hearings if needed. Our legal team knows what Texas disability examiners look for and how to make sure your case is taken seriously.
Get Help Qualifying For Disability In Texas Today.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, a mental health diagnosis, or a combination of physical and psychological challenges, qualifying for disability benefits in Texas is possible with the right preparation. The GCC Law Firm has the experience and commitment to guide you through each step and fight for the benefits you deserve.