Texas Disability Benefits
A Quick Guide to Texas Disabilities
Texas Disability
Texas has strict and detailed laws concerning disability, and these laws are in place to protect employers and public taxpayers from common types of Texas disability fraud and schemes. Common types of Texas disabilities fraud are discussed in this article, as well as information about Texas disability benefits, the process of filing for disability in TX. Helpful links are provided at the end of this article.
Common Types of Fraud
There are three common types of cases where Texas disabilities may result in fraud. These common scenarios are described below:
1. Faking an injury or illness- this is the most common type of fraud. It is easy to fake an injury or illness, and even with the help of professional medical testimony, the fact that a worker might be faking an injury is often hard to detect.
2. Working while on disability- In Texas, many people are caught working while still receiving Texas disabilities benefits. They may work under the table or even do the same job they were doing before.
3. Collecting Texas disability benefits after healed- this type of fraud is normally easily detectable, but many people will try to receive payments after they have been cleared.
TX Disability Benefits
Texas disabilities benefits are provided in two different ways. A Texan may receive benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance depending on how much they paid into the social security system while they were working.
Oppositely, if a person receives Texas disabilities benefits through Supplemental Security Income, they federal government will decide how much they receive in monthly payments. In 2012, a Texas disability qualifier will receive $698 per month and a couple with receive $1,048 per month if they no other income.
There are exceptions to these amounts as well. If a person is receiving Texas disability through Supplemental Security Income and living in a nursing home or other Medicaid facility, they will receive $60 from the state as well as payment from the federal government.
Texas Disabilities Claims Process
The claims process is fairly similar for both Social Security and Supplementary Security Income. The following steps are provided by the TX Department of Assistance and Rehabilitative Services:
1. Submit application to Social Security Administration
2. The application will go to a SSA field office, and the Texas disability applicant will face a disability determination process if the office believe they may qualify
3. A disability specialist will investigate the applicant’s work history, medical records, age, and education and determine if there is enough evidence. A disability specialist may not initiate an investigation if the person applying for Texas disability benefits is in obvious need
4. After the disability specialist has made a decision, they will send the results to the SSA and they will send the claimant notification regarding whether they qualify for Texas disabilities benefits or not
The most helpful link for anyone thinking about filing Texas disability is the official website of the Texas Department of Assistance and Rehabilitative Services: http://www.dars.state.tx.us/
