Round Rock Social Security Disability Lawyer for Workers, Parents, and Young Adults
Most people in Round Rock learn how the disability system works after something goes wrong. A back injury ends a career, a heart condition stops a shift, or a child with a lifelong illness turns 18. A Round Rock Social Security Disability lawyer can read your records, pick the right program, and file before a deadline costs you money. Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P. is a Killeen firm that serves clients across Central Texas, and Manuel Alcozer handles our disability claims. This page covers what's specific to filing from Round Rock, from the office you'll deal with to the 2026 dollar limits that decide who qualifies. For the regional overview, see our Central Texas Social Security Disability practice.
What a Round Rock Social Security Disability Lawyer Does Before You File
The first filing is where most claims are won or lost. Social Security decides many cases on paper, and nobody calls you to ask what's missing. If your records leave a gap, the examiner fills it with the least generous guess.
We start by building a timeline of your illness, your jobs, and your treatment. Then we match it to the rules Social Security actually applies. That means choosing between SSDI and SSI, picking an onset date, and asking your doctors the right questions.
You can apply on your own, and some people do. But a denial costs months, and each appeal level has its own deadline. A lawyer who files a complete claim the first time saves you that wait.
What Social Security Means by "Disabled"
The test is stricter than most people expect. Social Security asks whether a physical or mental condition keeps you from doing any substantial work, and whether it has lasted or will last at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death. A bad year with a broken leg doesn't meet it.
Social Security also doesn't pay partial or short-term disability. You're either found disabled or you're not. That's why the details of your daily limits, such as how long you can sit, stand, focus, or show up on time, carry so much weight.
Some conditions get faster handling. Social Security's Compassionate Allowances program speeds up claims for certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and rare childhood disorders. If your diagnosis is on that list, we flag it on the application.
Round Rock Has No Social Security Office, So You File Through Georgetown
There's no Social Security field office inside Round Rock city limits. Based on the third-party office directories we checked, all three Round Rock ZIP codes (78664, 78665, and 78681) are assigned to the office at 3010 Williams Drive, Suite 150, in Georgetown. Check your ZIP code on the office locator at ssa.gov before you drive anywhere.
You don't have to go in person. You can apply online at ssa.gov or call Social Security's national number, 1-800-772-1213, which answers from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on weekdays. The agency says wait times run shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month.
Local offices still matter. They take your reconsideration request, process paperwork, and forward your file to the next stage. If you want a local touchpoint, our Georgetown Social Security Disability page covers the same office from the Williamson County seat.
The Texas Agency That Decides Your Medical Case
Social Security's field office checks your work record and income. It doesn't decide whether you're disabled. In Texas, that medical call belongs to a state agency called Disability Determination Services, or DDS, which works under federal rules.
A DDS examiner collects your records, may order an exam from a doctor you've never met, and writes a decision. Most people never speak to that examiner. The file is the entire case.
If DDS says no, you have 60 days to ask for reconsideration. Social Security treats your notice as received five days after the date printed on it, so the clock starts earlier than you think. A DDS reviewer takes a fresh look, and you get to add new evidence. Treat that step as your chance to fix what went wrong the first time.
Your Work History Now Reaches Back Five Years, Not Fifteen
Social Security used to review the last 15 years of jobs when it asked whether you could go back to past work. On June 22, 2024, that window shrank to five years. A job that lasted less than 30 days no longer counts at all.
This change helps many Round Rock workers. Say you spent a decade in skilled office work, then took lighter jobs after your health slipped. Only the recent jobs now set the bar for what Social Security says you can still do.
It also changes how you fill out your work history. List the last five years carefully, with the real physical and mental demands of each job. Much of what you'll read online still says 15 years, so don't trust older guides.
Employer Disability Plans, Workers' Comp, and Your SSDI Check
Many employers offer long-term disability insurance. These plans often ask you to apply for Social Security, and many reduce your plan check once SSDI starts. That reduction comes from your policy, not from Social Security.
Social Security says private disability insurance doesn't lower your SSDI benefit. So the money flows one way. Get a copy of your policy and read the offset and repayment clauses before you accept a lump sum from the insurer.
Workers' compensation works differently. If you collect both, the two together can't top 80 percent of your average earnings before you became disabled, and Social Security cuts the excess from your SSDI. We ask about every income source in the first meeting so nothing surprises you later.
2026 Numbers You Can Check Against Your Own Situation
These figures come from Social Security's own 2026 tables. Use them to see where you stand today.
You earn one work credit for each $1,890 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits a year.
Most adults need 40 credits for SSDI, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before the disability began.
Earning more than $1,690 a month ($2,830 if you're blind) counts as substantial gainful activity and usually ends a claim.
SSI pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, and your countable resources can't top $2,000 (or $3,000 for a couple).
SSDI also has a five-month waiting period. Your first check arrives in the sixth full month after Social Security says your disability began. Back pay can reach up to 12 months before your application date, and Medicare starts after you've received SSDI for two years.
Age 50 and Age 55 Change How Social Security Judges You
Social Security doesn't treat a 38-year-old and a 58-year-old the same way. Its rules call ages 50 through 54 "closely approaching advanced age," and 55 and older "advanced age." For older applicants, the agency admits that age makes it harder to switch to a new kind of work.
That matters if you've spent decades in one trade or with one employer and can't continue. If your health problem keeps you from your old job, your age and training come into play at the last step of the review. We put your birthday on the calendar from day one, because a claim that sits through a birthday can change under different rules.
Younger applicants aren't shut out. They just need stronger medical proof that no job fits their limits.
Records From Round Rock Hospitals and Clinics
Your claim will rest on charts from places you already know. Round Rock patients often have records at Ascension Seton Medical Center Williamson on Seton Parkway, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center–Round Rock on University Boulevard, or St. David's Round Rock Medical Center on Round Rock Avenue. Each system has its own release form and its own wait time.
Records alone aren't enough. Social Security wants to see treatment over time, test results, and what your doctor says you can't do. A note that says "back pain" carries far less weight than one that says you can't sit longer than 20 minutes or lift more than 10 pounds.
If you can't pay for care, your claim doesn't have to stall. Read our guide on what to do if you can't afford a doctor. Williamson County's mental health authority, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, is based at 1009 N. Georgetown Street in Round Rock and treats conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Why Choose Michalk, Beatty & Alcozer, L.P.? Our Commitment to You
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Unyielding Commitment to JusticeWe strive to ensure that all persons have access to a legal process that is fair, open, transparent, and holds those who infringe on your rights accountable.
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Relentless Pursuit of Fair CompensationWe advocate to secure the maximum compensation you deserve, recognizing the profound impact your lawsuit can have on your livelihood.
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Empathetic Guidance Through AdversityWe stand by your side with unwavering support and understanding, providing guidance and reassurance during what may be one of the most challenging times in your life.
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Resolute Advocacy for Your RightsWith determination and expertise, we navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf, steadfastly protecting your rights and interests at every turn.
Breathing Conditions: Why Manuel Alcozer Reads Lung Files Differently
Before law school, Manuel Alcozer worked from 1983 to 1989 as a respiratory therapist at Metroplex Hospital and Scott & White Memorial Hospital. He knows breathing tests from the clinical side, and he brings that to COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and other lung claims.
Social Security's respiratory listing leans on specific tests. Spirometry measures how much air you push out in one second. A DLCO test shows how well oxygen crosses into your blood, and a 6-minute walk test records your oxygen level during exertion. The tests only count when you're medically stable, which means no medication change in the past two weeks and no lung infection treated in the past 30 days.
The timing of those tests is a trap. A test taken during a bad flare can read worse than your normal, but Social Security may not count it. For asthma, the listing also asks about three hospital stays of at least 48 hours each within 12 months. We check every test date against those rules before the file goes to DDS.
The Deadlines a Round Rock Social Security Disability Lawyer Watches
Every appeal level in a disability case carries a 60-day deadline, counted from the date you receive notice. Miss one without a good reason and you may have to start over with a new application, which can cost you back pay.
Reconsideration: 60 days after your first denial, with a DDS review that accepts new evidence.
Hearing request: 60 days after your reconsideration denial, before an administrative law judge.
Appeals Council: 60 days after an unfavorable hearing decision.
Federal court: 60 days after the Appeals Council acts.
Williamson County sits in the Austin Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, so a federal appeal from Round Rock goes to federal court in Austin. Few cases get that far, but we prepare each one as if it might.
What Your Hearing Notice Tells You
The hearing is your first chance to speak to the person who decides your case. A judge, not a DDS examiner, reviews your file, and you get to explain your day-to-day limits in your own words.
Social Security must mail your notice at least 75 days before the hearing. The notice states the time, how you'll appear, and the place if you're attending in person or by agency video. It also tells you that written evidence must reach the judge at least five business days before the hearing.
Many hearings include a vocational expert, who names jobs a person with your limits could still do. We study those job titles ahead of time. If the expert lists a job that your doctor's restrictions rule out, we ask about it on the record.
SSI at 18: A Round Rock Family Rule Nobody Mentions
Many families have a child who receives SSI because of a lifelong condition. At 18, Social Security reviews that young adult again under adult rules. The agency usually contacts you within a year of the birthday.
The rules change in two ways. Parents' income and savings stop counting, which can help a young adult qualify. But the medical standard gets stricter, and SSA's own booklet says that historically about one-third of children lose SSI after this review.
You have 60 days to appeal a cut-off letter. If your son or daughter is nearing 18 and gets SSI today, start collecting school records, therapy notes, and doctor statements now. If your child is in a Round Rock ISD special education program, ask the district for the latest evaluation and individualized education program.
Manuel Alcozer and the Team Behind Your Claim
Choosing a Round Rock Social Security Disability lawyer comes down to who will actually read your file. Manuel Alcozer is board-certified in Social Security Disability Advocacy by the National Board of Social Security Disability Advocacy. He earned his law degree at SMU's Dedman School of Law in 1992 and joined the Texas bar that year. He belongs to the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, the State Bar College, and the Bell County Bar Association. Read Manuel Alcozer's attorney profile for his full background.
Manuel speaks English and Spanish, so you can describe your symptoms in the language you use at home. Hablamos español.
Glenn W. Michalk handles trial work across Central Texas. Jay R. Beatty, our probate attorney, and Robert "Alex" Bass round out the team, so a family with more than one legal need doesn't have to start over at a new firm.
What It Costs to Hire Us
Federal law caps what a representative can charge. The fee is the lesser of 25 percent of your past-due benefits or $9,200, and Social Security must approve it. Our fee comes out of your back pay, so you pay nothing upfront.
If we don't win, we don't collect a fee. Case expenses, such as medical record charges, are separate.
Frequently Asked Questions: Round Rock Social Security Disability Lawyer
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How long does it take to get approved for disability in Round Rock?A first decision can take several months, and a hearing adds many more. Complete medical records at the start usually shorten the wait. We track each stage and tell you what's pending.
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Is there a Social Security office in Round Rock, TX?No. The office that handles Round Rock ZIP codes is in Georgetown at 3010 Williams Drive, Suite 150, according to the directories we checked. Confirm your ZIP on ssa.gov first. You can also apply online or by phone.
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What are the SSDI and SSI limits in 2026?SSDI needs 40 work credits, 20 of them from the last 10 years, and you earn one credit per $1,890. SSI pays up to $994 for one person and caps resources at $2,000. Earning over $1,690 a month usually counts as substantial gainful activity.
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Does my employer's long-term disability plan reduce my SSDI?No. Social Security says private disability insurance doesn't lower your SSDI check. Your plan may cut its own payment when SSDI starts, so read the policy before you sign any repayment form.
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Why was my disability claim denied the first time?Common reasons include thin medical records, earnings above the monthly limit, and gaps in treatment. We read the denial letter, find the weak spot, and fix it within the 60-day window.
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Does a VA disability rating mean I qualify for Social Security?No. The VA and Social Security use separate rules and make separate decisions. We help you gather the evidence Social Security wants, even if the VA already has much of it.
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Will my child lose SSI at age 18?Not always, but Social Security reviews every child on SSI at 18 under adult rules. Historically about one-third lose benefits. Keep records and appeal within 60 days if you get a cut-off letter.
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How much does a disability lawyer cost?You pay nothing upfront. Our fee is limited to the lesser of 25 percent of past-due benefits or $9,200, and Social Security has to approve it.
Book a Free Round Rock Disability Consultation
A denial letter has a clock on it, and the clock started when the letter was dated. Call 254-526-3024 and talk with a Round Rock Social Security Disability lawyer about your records, your work history, and your next filing. We serve Round Rock and all of Williamson County. Hablamos español. Prefer to start online? Schedule a free consultation and we'll call you back.
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