The residents of Edinburg (Hidalgo County), TX who become disabled and cannot work as result can apply for either SSDI or SSI benefits from the government. However, getting approved for these benefits is no easy task and thus, you may want to consider hiring a disability attorney or advocate to help you with the claim. As of December 2013, there are 15,415 individuals receiving SSDI benefits and 42,441 receiving SSI benefits. There are strict financial and medical requirements, which you will have to meet in order to qualify for either SSDI or SSI.
You can learn more about SSDI and SSI, here.
The quickest way to apply for benefits is online, but if you are not comfortable applying online or are applying for a minor, you can do so at the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office, listed below:
3004 N Mccoll Rd
McAllen TX 78501
The residents of the following cities and towns, will also have to visit the McAllen office to file an application in person: McAllen, Alamo, Delmita, Donna, Hargill, Hidalgo, La Blanca, La Villa, Linn, Pharr, San Isidro, San Juan, Santa Elena.
Edinburg Social Security Disability Attorneys
Hiring an Edinburg disability attorney is not a necessity, but it certainly will improve your chances of being approved for benefits. Your attorney will be familiar with common mistakes that applicants often make and will be able to make sure that you do not commit those same mistakes. Also, if your application is denied for any reason, your attorney will represent you throughout the appeals process.
An Edinburg disability attorney will also handle cases in Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, Donna, Mission, Weslaco, Hidalgo, Mercedes, Raymondville, Harlingen, San Benito and Rio Grande City.
If you have any questions about hiring an attorney in Edinburg, you can contact the bar association below:
Hidalgo County Bar Association
314 S Closner Blvd
Edinburg, TX 78539
Edinburg Disability Hearings
Due to the strict guidelines set by the SSA, over 60% of claims for disability benefits are initially denied. The next step in the application process is the request for reconsideration stage. Over 80% of claims are denied at this stage. The third step in the process is the disability hearing. This stage is generally an applicant’s best chance of being approved. During the hearing, you will have the opportunity to explain to an administrative law judge (ALJ), why you deserve disability benefits.
All Edinburg residents will have their hearings held at the Houston-Bissonnet Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Since Edinburg is almost 5 hours away from Houston, the SSA will reimburse the cost of travelling to the hearing. You may also want to consider requesting a video hearing.
Currently, it can take over a year to have a hearing scheduled with the Houston ODAR office. In rare circumstances, it is possible to have your hearing scheduled sooner by contacting your local congressman. The congressman for the Edinburg area is located at the following address:
2864 West Trenton Road
Edinburg, TX 78539
Phone: (956) 682-5545
For more on disability benefits in Texas, see our page on How To Qualify For Disability Benefits In Texas.
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