Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're dealing with a serious medical condition. Many people in Mansfield turn to a Mansfield SSDI lawyer at Bailey & Galyen for help when their ability to work has been cut short.
Whether you're dealing with an initial application or appealing a denial, our attorneys can make a real difference in the outcome. We assist clients throughout Mansfield—including neighborhoods like Walnut Creek Valley, Heritage Estates, and South Pointe—helping them through every phase of the SSDI process.
If you're struggling to obtain benefits, reach out to our office for a free consultation and benefit from our more than 40 years of legal experience.
Mansfield, TX SSDI Guide
Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides monthly income to individuals who’ve worked and paid into the Social Security system but are no longer able to work due to a long-term disability.
To qualify for SSDI, you must meet certain conditions. You need enough "work credits," earned through employment, and your disability must be severe enough to keep you from performing substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While SSDI is based on your work history, SSI is a need-based program with strict income and asset limits.
Benefit amounts for SSDI depend on your average lifetime earnings, not the severity of your condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your past wages to determine your monthly benefit if your claim is approved.
What Medical Conditions Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
The SSA maintains a list called the Listing of Impairments, which includes various physical and mental conditions that automatically meet the disability requirement if certain criteria are met.
Some of the most commonly approved conditions include:
- Chronic heart disease
- Severe back disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- Cancer
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
Even if your condition isn’t listed, you may still qualify through something called a medical-vocational allowance. This involves evaluating how your condition limits your ability to work based on age, education, and work experience.
Strong medical evidence must show that your condition limits your ability to perform basic work functions. Detailed records from doctors, therapists, and other professionals are key.
Our SSDI Legal Services in Mansfield
Many clients come to us after trying to apply on their own. Our team helps from the beginning and continues through every stage of the process.
Initial Application Assistance
We help prepare and file your SSDI application accurately and completely to reduce the chances of a technical denial.
Appeals Process Representation
If your application was denied, we step in to file a Request for Reconsideration or move forward to the next level of appeal.
Hearing Preparation and Advocacy
We prepare you for your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, help gather updated medical evidence, and represent you during the proceeding.
Ongoing Case Management
Throughout your case, we handle communication with the SSA and keep you updated so you know what to expect next.
Why Are So Many SSDI Claims Denied?
The SSA denies a large percentage of initial claims, and it's rarely because the applicant isn’t actually disabled.
Common Reasons for Denials:
- Application is missing important details
- Lack of up-to-date medical records
- Forms filled out incorrectly
- Miscommunication with SSA offices
When medical providers don’t send enough documentation or reports conflict with each other, the SSA may decide the condition doesn’t meet their definition of disability. Some applications get denied simply due to technical errors like listing the wrong onset date or missing a deadline.
How Can Our Mansfield SSDI Lawyers Improve Your Chances of Approval?
Our team understands how the SSA operates and what it looks for when reviewing applications.
We work with claimants throughout Mansfield and Tarrant County, so we’re familiar with how local SSA offices handle cases. We also know how to present your situation in a way that meets SSA’s evaluation process.
Here’s how we help:
- Gather and organize medical evidence that clearly documents your condition
- Identify missing or weak areas in your medical records
- Communicate with your doctors about the information SSA needs
- Strategically prepare written statements and supporting forms
The SSDI Application Process
Applying for SSDI involves more than just filling out a form. We guide you through what’s needed and when.
Initial Application Requirements
You’ll need personal information, detailed work history, and complete medical records. The SSA requires this information to determine if your condition prevents you from working.
Timeline Expectations
Once submitted, it can take three to six months for a decision. Delays are common, especially if information is missing.
Documentation Needed
Medical treatment notes, lab reports, MRIs, and letters from doctors carry more weight than general statements.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Submitting incomplete paperwork, failing to respond to SSA inquiries, or not following up with your doctor’s office are just a few issues that can cause delays or denials.
What Happens If Your SSDI Claim Is Denied?
Most claims are initially denied, but that doesn't mean the process is over.
Appeal Options and Deadlines
You have only 60 days to appeal a denial. Missing this deadline means starting over from scratch.
Reconsideration Process
SSA assigns a different reviewer to take a fresh look at your file. It’s important to add new evidence or clarify any misunderstandings during this phase.
Administrative Hearings
If reconsideration doesn’t work, the next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You’ll present evidence, and we’ll question vocational and medical experts on your behalf.
Appeals Council Review
If the judge doesn’t rule in your favor, you can request a review by the Appeals Council. If they decline, the final option is filing a lawsuit in federal court.
How Do We Build a Strong SSDI Case?
We don’t just submit your paperwork—we build a detailed case that supports your disability claim from every angle.
Medical Documentation
We work with your doctors to obtain detailed treatment records, diagnostic test results, and written opinions that address the SSA’s eligibility criteria.
Vocational Expert Testimony
When necessary, we bring in experts to explain why you can’t return to work or adjust to another type of employment.
Witness Statements
Statements from people who know your condition—family, coworkers, caretakers—can help paint a clearer picture.
Consistent Medical Treatment Records
Regular medical care shows the ongoing nature of your condition and your commitment to treatment.
Our Approach to SSDI Representation in Mansfield
At Bailey & Galyen, we treat each client like an individual—not a case number.
Personalized Case Assessment
We take the time to understand your medical condition, work background, and personal needs.
Regular Communication
We stay in touch so you’re never left wondering about your case status.
Direct Attorney Involvement
From application to hearing, our attorneys stay involved—not just paralegals or assistants.
Local Knowledge Advantage
Whether your claim goes through the Fort Worth hearing office or requires local doctor input, our familiarity with the region helps us work efficiently.
Speak with Our Skilled SSDI Lawyers in Mansfield Now
Social Security has strict filing deadlines, so delaying action could hurt your chances of success. Whether you're just beginning or trying to appeal a denial, Bailey & Galyen can help improve the odds.
You don't need to go through this process alone. Call our Mansfield office today at 972-992-1615 for a free case evaluation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.