The Law Office of Adam Casner, PLLCThe Law Office of Adam Casner, PLLC2026-08-02T03:32:59Zhttps://www.casnerlawfirm.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1204706/2026/03/cropped-adam-casner-site-identity-32x32.pngOn Behalf of The Law Office of Adam Casner, PLLC<![CDATA[Why Texas disability claims get denied and how to fix them]]>https://www.casnerlawfirm.com/?p=503042026-08-02T03:32:59Z2026-08-02T03:32:59ZA denial letter can feel crushing when your health already keeps you from working. You applied in good faith, waited months and got a no. The reasons behind most denials are fixable once you know what went wrong.
Not enough medical evidence
Inadequate medical documentation generates more denials than any other factor. Examiners require evidence demonstrating that your condition restricts your capacity to perform work. A diagnosis alone rarely sustains a claim.Request that your physician document your specific functional limitations. Notes describing how long you can sit, stand or concentrate can reinforce your file considerably. Consistent appointments also demonstrate that your condition persists over time.
Earning above the income limit
Federal law defines disability under 42 U.S.C. § 423. You cannot qualify if you engage in substantial gainful activity. Earnings above the monthly limit can trigger a denial before anyone reviews your medical file.Check the current threshold before you apply. Keep pay records if you still work part time.
Paperwork errors and missed deadlines
Simple mistakes can sink a strong claim. Watch for these common problems:
Blank sections: Every question on the forms needs an answer.
Wrong dates: Incorrect work or treatment dates can raise doubts about your claim.
Ignored requests: The agency may deny you if you skip requested exams or records.
Late appeals: You generally have 60 days to challenge a denial.
Careful review before you submit can prevent most of these errors.
Turning a denial into an approval
Most denials originate from deficient evidence, income complications, application errors or pursuing the incorrect benefits track. Each obstacle carries a remedy, from thorough physician documentation to a punctual appeal. Recognizing which one affects you can transform a rejected disability benefits claim into an approved one. That recognition matters because your window to respond after a denial closes quickly.If your case involves contested evidence or repeated denials, an attorney can help you evaluate your options.]]>On Behalf of The Law Office of Adam Casner, PLLC<![CDATA[SGA common query: Can I work while applying for disability?]]>https://www.casnerlawfirm.com/?p=503002026-07-29T14:06:53Z2026-07-29T14:06:53ZWhat Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) means in SSDI benefits
Since SSDI is a federal program, your application should follow the SSA’s rules instead of Texas statutes. Part of the SSA’s application assessment is evaluating your SGA.
The SSA measures SGA by comparing your monthly gross (this means pre-tax, not take-home pay) earnings to its current limits. For 2026, the monthly limit is $1,690 for non-blind applicants and $2,830 for statutorily blind individuals in gross income. Exceeding these limits counts as grounds for a denial. Note that self-employment and gig work may have additional considerations regarding that "value" of work performed versus the actual dollars paid.
Why keeping your part-time work does not guarantee approval
Working part-time in Texas may result in an income less than the SGA limit. Without proper preparation, the SSA can consider that you are capable of working full-time despite the severity of your medical condition.
This is because the SSA does not only look at your earnings but also considers the amount of effort you exert in performing duties. While earning below the SGA limit satisfies one part of the assessment, the SSA reviews the physical and mental demands of your part-time work during the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) phase to determine if you retain the ability to perform substantial work.
Avoid these common mistakes when applying for SSDI
Because SSDI claim reviews tend to be lengthy, you must ensure that you avoid making mistakes during your application. These can include:
Choosing part-time work in Texas that contradicts your medical claims
Failing to document employer accommodations and/or failed work attempts
Miscalculating the full value of your self-employment or gig work
Before you submit your application, consider having it reviewed by someone who is knowledgeable about SSA rules and regulations.]]>On Behalf of The Law Office of Adam Casner, PLLC<![CDATA[Grid rules: How being over 50 can impact your SSDI claim]]>https://www.casnerlawfirm.com/?p=502912026-05-29T13:41:20Z2026-05-29T13:37:45ZSSA grid rules are part of a framework called the Medical-Vocational Guidelines. These rules help determine whether someone can realistically transition into other types of work despite physical or mental limitations. Instead of focusing only on medical diagnoses, the SSA also examines vocational factors such as age, education, work history and transferable job skills. For example, a younger worker with physical restrictions may still be expected to retrain for a less demanding job. However, the SSA may view a 55-year-old worker with similar limitations differently because adapting to entirely new work may be more difficult later in life.
The grid rules generally become most important when an applicant cannot return to their past work but may still have some ability to perform lighter or sedentary jobs. In these situations, vocational factors may tip the balance toward approval.
Applying for disability benefits after 50 years of age
The SSA divides new applicants into several age categories. Individuals between the ages of 50 and 54 are often considered “closely approaching advanced age.” Those between 55 and 59 are typically classified as “advanced age,” while applicants aged 60 and older may receive even more favorable consideration under certain circumstances.
Importantly, the grid rules do not guarantee approval simply because someone is over 50. Medical evidence and work history still matter significantly. To that end, many SSDI/SSI claims involving vocational factors become highly technical. The way the SSA classifies prior jobs, skill levels and physical limitations may dramatically affect the outcome of a case.
An experienced disability attorney can help applicants understand how SSA grid rules apply to their situation, gather stronger medical evidence and present vocational factors effectively during the disability process, whether a claim is new or if a claim has already been denied.]]>