Texas Disability Lawyers

When a disability stops you from working and the benefits you counted on are denied, the bills don't stop — but there is real help, and you don't have to face it alone. Whether your fight is with the Social Security Administration over SSDI or SSI, with an insurance company over a long-term disability policy, or with an employer over your disability rights, an experienced disability lawyer knows how to turn a denial into an approval. Many disability cases are handled on contingency — the lawyer is paid only if you win, so you can get strong representation now, when you need it most.

What Kinds of Disability Cases Do These Lawyers Handle?

"Disability law" covers several very different areas, and the right lawyer depends on which benefit or right is involved. The main categories are:

If you're not sure which category your situation falls under, that's normal — one free referral call can point you to the right kind of lawyer.

What Is the Difference Between SSDI, SSI, and Long-Term Disability?

SSDI and SSI are federal government programs; long-term disability is private insurance. SSDI is based on the work credits you earned by paying Social Security taxes, while SSI is need-based for people with very limited income and resources — both are run by the Social Security Administration. Long-term disability (LTD), by contrast, is coverage you have through an employer's group plan or a policy you bought yourself. Because the programs use different definitions of disability and different appeal rules, the strategy for each is different. For a deep dive on the government side, see our page on Texas Social Security disability attorneys.

What Is an ERISA Long-Term Disability Claim?

Most employer-provided long-term disability plans are governed by ERISA, a federal law with strict deadlines and a mandatory appeal you usually must exhaust before you can sue. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor. In an ERISA case, the "administrative record" built during your internal appeal often controls the outcome — meaning a court may only look at what you submitted before the appeal closed. That makes the appeal stage the most important moment of the case, and a trap for people who try to handle it alone. An experienced LTD lawyer knows to load the record with the right medical and vocational evidence before that window closes.

My Long-Term Disability Claim Was Denied — What Are the Options?

After a denial, there is usually a limited time to file an internal appeal, and the evidence submitted during that appeal can decide the case. A disability lawyer can read the policy's fine print (including its definition of "disabled," which often shifts from "your own occupation" to "any occupation" after a period), gather treating-physician opinions and functional-capacity evidence, meet every ERISA deadline, and build the record for any later lawsuit. Because the appeal window is short, acting quickly after a denial is one of the most important things that can be done.

What Disability Rights Does the ADA Protect?

The Americans with Disabilities Act protects qualified people with disabilities from discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations. The ADA covers employment (no discrimination, plus reasonable accommodations at work), access to public accommodations like stores and offices, and government services. If you were denied an accommodation, demoted, or fired because of a disability, that may also be an employment discrimination claim — see our Texas discrimination attorneys page. The EEOC enforces the employment side of the ADA.

How a Disability Lawyer Wins These Cases

Across all these areas, a skilled disability lawyer does the heavy lifting that wins claims:

• Reads the policy or program rules and finds the exact definition of disability that applies.
• Gathers the medical, functional, and vocational evidence the decision-maker needs.
• Meets every deadline — Social Security's 60-day windows, ERISA's appeal clock.
• Builds the administrative record so it holds up if the case goes to court.
• Stands up to insurers and agencies that count on people giving up after a denial.

Related Benefits and Rights Help in Texas

• Texas Social Security disability attorneys — SSDI and SSI claims, denials, and hearings in depth.
• Texas discrimination attorneys — disability discrimination and accommodation at work.
• All practice areas — browse every type of lawyer we can connect you with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Disability Lawyers

What kinds of disability cases do these lawyers handle?

Disability lawyers in Texas handle several distinct areas: Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims and appeals, private and employer long-term disability (LTD) denials governed by ERISA, and disability-rights matters under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The right lawyer depends on which benefit or right is involved, and one free referral call can point you to the correct type.

How much does a disability lawyer cost in Texas?

It depends on the case type. Social Security disability lawyers are paid only if you win, capped by federal law (the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200 beginning in 2026). Many long-term disability (ERISA) cases are also handled on contingency or with fee-shifting. In most disability matters you pay no attorney fee up front, but you should always confirm the fee arrangement in writing.

What is the difference between SSDI, SSI, and long-term disability?

SSDI and SSI are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration: SSDI is based on your work credits, and SSI is need-based. Long-term disability (LTD) is private coverage, usually through an employer's group plan or a policy you bought, and most employer plans are governed by the federal ERISA law. The eligibility rules, appeal deadlines, and definitions of disability differ, so the strategy differs too.

What is an ERISA long-term disability claim?

Most employer-provided long-term disability plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a federal law overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor. ERISA sets strict deadlines and a mandatory internal appeal you generally must exhaust before suing, and the administrative record built during the appeal often controls the case. Because of these traps, getting a lawyer involved early is especially important for LTD denials.

My long-term disability claim was denied. What can I do?

You generally have a limited time to file an internal appeal, and the evidence you submit during that appeal can decide the case if it later goes to court. A disability lawyer can read the policy, gather the medical and vocational proof, meet the ERISA deadlines, and build the administrative record to give you the best chance. Acting quickly matters because the deadlines are short.

What disability rights does the ADA protect?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, requires reasonable accommodations at work, and requires access to public accommodations and government services. If you were denied an accommodation, fired, or treated unfairly because of a disability, that may also raise an employment discrimination claim, which a lawyer can evaluate.

How long do I have to appeal a disability denial?

Deadlines depend on the program. Social Security generally gives you 60 days to appeal each level of a denial. ERISA long-term disability plans typically give 180 days to file the internal appeal, but the exact deadline is in your plan documents. Because these windows are short and easy to miss, it is wise to act as soon as you receive a denial.

Why are disability claims so often denied?

Insurers and the government deny many disability claims for missing or insufficient medical evidence, failure to meet the precise definition of disability in the policy or program, or procedural mistakes. A denial does not mean your condition is not real or disabling. Many denials are reversed on appeal when the right evidence is presented in the right way.

Does it cost anything to be referred to a disability lawyer?

No. The Texas Lawyer Referral Service is free and certified by the State Bar of Texas. There is no charge to be connected with a disability attorney, and many disability cases are handled on contingency, meaning the lawyer is paid only if you win. You can call or text any time, day or night.

How do I get a disability lawyer in Texas right now?

Call or text 512-872-4400 any time, day or night. You will be connected with an experienced disability lawyer serving your area anywhere in Texas. The referral is free and there is no obligation.