Fort Worth Social Security Disability Lawyer

Attorney Stanley Denman has devoted his law practice to representing people seeking Social Security Disability benefits in Dallas-Fort Worth since 1991. Denman Law Office represents disabled individuals throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County in Social Security Disability claims, appeals, and hearings. If you are looking for a Fort Worth Social Security Disability lawyer, you will work directly with Mr. Denman, an attorney whose practice is solely focused on Social Security Disability law.

Social Security Disability law is federal law. The same basic rules and regulations apply to a disability claimant living in Fort Worth, another city in Texas, or anywhere else in the country.

But where you live can still matter in a Social Security Disability claim. Access to medical care, local Social Security offices, hearing offices, and community resources can all play an important role in preparing a strong disability case. If you live in Fort Worth or Tarrant County and are disabled, we hope this information is helpful.

Medical Care When You Have No Medical Insurance in Fort Worth

Securing medical treatment when you are not able to work is a challenge in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. Most medical insurance is tied to employment: lose your job, and you may also lose your medical insurance. COBRA extended benefits are expensive, and there is only a short time window to exercise those rights. See our page https://www.disabilityapproved.com/extended-medical-benefits-cobra-for-disabled-texans/ for specific advice and information about COBRA benefits in the state of Texas.

Many Fort Worth residents pursue Social Security Disability benefits at least in part to secure medical treatment through Medicare or Medicaid. But the difficult reality is that without ongoing medical treatment, Fort Worth residents may have trouble winning disability benefits. In other words it’s a “Catch-22”: You need the Medicare that comes along with winning a disability case but in order to win a disability case you have to have medical treatment!

Therefore accessing county “Indigent” healthcare services is often vital to a Social Security disability claimant in Fort Worth.

Two important local options in Tarrant County/Fort Worth are JPS Health Network/JPS Connection for medical care and MHMR Tarrant County for mental-health services. Here are some details that can help you access those services:

JPS Health Network and JPS Connection

JPS is Tarrant County’s community health network. It provides hospital care, primary care, specialty care, behavioral health services, and pharmacy services through JPS locations.

JPS also offers financial assistance through the JPS Connection program. JPS Connection is designed to help eligible Tarrant County residents get affordable access to medical care. Through JPS Connection, eligible patients are able to receive JPS care at reduced cost.

JPS Eligibility & Enrollment Center
101 W. Allen Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76110
Phone: 817-702-1001

Current posted hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Applications can be dropped off until 4:30 p.m. People who need help from an Eligibility & Enrollment specialist should arrive by 4 p.m.

JPS Connection is for eligible Tarrant County residents. Eligibility is based on a completed application and supporting documents. JPS also explains that JPS Connection is the “payor of last resort,” which means that if you are eligible for other state, federal, insurance, or assistance programs, you may need to apply for those programs first.

JPS says applicants can apply in several ways:

  • complete the online JPS Connection application;
  • request an application by calling JPS Enrollment and Eligibility at 817-702-1001;
  • drop off the application and documents at a JPS Enrollment & Eligibility Center;
  • submit documents by email, fax, or mail as listed on the JPS Connection page.

JPS says applicants are responsible for providing supporting documents. These may include proof of address, proof of income, proof of identification, and other documents if required. Proof of income may include check stubs, award letters, bank statements, income tax returns, or other income records.

Social Security Disability cases usually depend heavily on medical records. If you are not receiving regular treatment, it may be harder to prove how serious your medical condition is and how it limits your ability to work. For an uninsured or low-income Fort Worth disability claimant, JPS Connection may help create a path back into regular medical care while the disability claim is pending.

JPS has multiple locations in Tarrant County, including hospitals, health centers, specialty clinics, behavioral-health locations, and pharmacies. After starting with JPS Connection or Eligibility & Enrollment, patients can use the JPS locations directory to find clinics and services that fit their needs.

Mental Health Treatment in Tarrant County: MHMR Tarrant County

Mental health treatment is critical in a Social Security Disability claim based upon a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and others.

My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, usually called MHMR Tarrant County, provides community-based services for people in Tarrant County with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and related support needs.

MHMR Tarrant County
Services phone: 817-335-3022
Mental health crisis call/text: 800-866-2465
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

Central Center (Penn)
300 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
New patient intake: Tuesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MHMR serves children, adults, and young adults with mental illnesses or other serious emotional needs. MHMR also provides services related to substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, crisis care, homelessness, veterans, and peer support.

MHMR says people can start by going to one of its centers or by calling 817-335-3022 for a phone interview. After that, MHMR asks the person to gather documents for intake. An in-person screening is completed at one of the centers. If the person is eligible, an appointment is offered. If not, MHMR may offer other community resources.

MHMR lists picture ID and proof of insurance, if applicable. If a person does not have insurance proof of income must be provided.

MHMR says fees are assessed based on funding sources and ability to pay. For substance use services, MHMR says eligibility and payment options are discussed during screening, and services may be covered through Medicaid, private insurance, or private pay based on a sliding scale.

For many disability claimants, mental-health symptoms are part of the reason they cannot work, or they make physical health problems harder to manage. Ongoing mental-health treatment can help create records of symptoms, medication management, counseling, crisis episodes, and functional limits. For Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents who cannot afford private care, MHMR may be a useful local starting point.

Getting by While You Wait for Disability Approval

Waiting for Social Security Disability approval can be financially and physically difficult, especially when a person is disabled, not working, and trying to keep up with medical care, transportation, housing, and basic daily needs. The following Fort Worth and Tarrant County resources may help disability claimants find practical local support while their claim is pending.

Transportation for Disabled Residents: Trinity Metro On-Demand Paratransit

Getting to doctor appointments, Social Security offices, hearings, or community services can be difficult when a medical condition limits your ability to drive or use regular bus service.

Trinity Metro On-Demand Paratransit provides door-to-door transportation within the service areas of Fort Worth and River Oaks for people with a verified disability that prevents them from riding regular city bus service.

Trinity Metro On-Demand Paratransit
Phone: 817-215-8600
Service area: Fort Worth and River Oaks

Hours of operation:
Service operates seven days a week on a schedule comparable to fixed-route bus service.

Trinity Metro says this service is for people with a verified disability that prevents them from riding regular city bus service. A person must complete an application and be certified as a paratransit passenger.

Certified riders may reserve a trip by calling 817-215-8600 up to 7 days in advance between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Trinity Metro says riders can schedule a trip up until 5 p.m. the day before the trip. Trinity Metro says trips may be reserved up to 7 days in advance, and riders should be ready to provide appointment time, pickup address, destination, return trip time, assistive device information, and guest or personal care attendant information.

Trinity Metro says the application process may take up to 21 days. To get more information or request an application by mail, call 817-215-8600.

Regular medical treatment is critical to winning a Tarrant County disability case. Being unable to drive a car for a medical reason, however, is generally not a factor in winning a Tarrant County disability case. For example, doctors often advise those who have a seizure disorder to not drive. This fact would support your inability to do a driving-based job such as an a Uber driver or school bus driver; It will not be a factor in proving inability to do non-driving type jobs. in other words Social Security assumes that a person can get back and forth to a job and doctor’s office without being able to drive an automobile. Nor will Social Security consider that to be a valid “excuse” for failing to go to the doctor on a regular basis

Consequently, for eligible Fort Worth residents, paratransit Access is a vital tool for securing and maintaining medical treatment.

Aging, Disability, and Local Support: Tarrant County ADRC

By far the biggest challenge for Tarrant County disabled persons who cannot work is surviving financially until their Social Security disability claim is approved.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Tarrant County connects older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers with local services that may help them live safely and independently.

Aging & Disability Resource Center of Tarrant County
201 N. Rupert Street, Suite 107
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Phone: 855-YES-ADRC (855-937-2372)
Email: info@tarrantcountyadrc.org

Office hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free parking is available. Trinity Metro bus routes 46, 52, and 53 serve the area near the office.

The ADRC serves older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers in Tarrant County. This can be useful for people who are trying to manage disability-related needs while also dealing with housing, health care, transportation, or daily living problems.

The ADRC helps connect people with in-home support services, assisted living options, community-based programs, Medicare assistance, veteran support services, and caregiver resources.

The ADRC also provides guidance on locating and applying for accessible and low-income housing. This may be important for disability claimants whose health problems and inability to work have created housing instability.

A Social Security Disability claim takes time. While the claim is pending, some people need help staying housed, finding services, or managing disability-related daily needs. For Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents, the ADRC may be a useful local starting point.

Independent Living Support: REACH Center for Independent Living

Some Fort Worth disability claimants may need practical help staying independent at home and in the community while a disability claim is pending. This may include help finding local resources, understanding disability-related services, building independent living skills, or dealing with accessibility problems.

REACH Center for Independent Living is a Fort Worth-based independent living center serving Tarrant County. REACH provides independent living support for people with disabilities, including information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, and transition services.

REACH Tarrant
1000 Macon St, Suite 200
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-870-9082
Email: info@reachcils.org

REACH may help people with disabilities in Tarrant County who need support living more independently at home or in the community. This can include people who need help finding resources, understanding services, learning independent living skills, or dealing with disability-related barriers.

REACH lists independent living services such as information and referral, individual and systems advocacy, independent living skills training, peer and non-peer counseling, and youth/community transition services.

REACH also describes programs related to home accessibility, veteran-directed care, and support for people who want to live more independently in the community. These services may be especially relevant when a disability makes daily living at home more difficult.

A Social Security Disability claim can take time. While a claim is pending, a person may need practical help with daily living, accessibility, transportation, support services, or staying safely in the community. For Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents with disabilities, REACH may be a useful local starting point.

Housing and Homelessness Help in Fort Worth and Tarrant County

Housing instability can become a serious problem for people waiting on Social Security Disability. If a person cannot work because of a medical condition, missed rent, eviction risk, unstable housing, or homelessness can make it even harder to keep medical appointments, receive mail from Social Security, and prepare a disability claim.

For Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents who are homeless or facing a housing crisis, the best starting point is usually the local homeless response system. Partnership Home / Tarrant County Homeless Coalition helps coordinate access to housing resources through the local Coordinated Entry system.

Homeless housing help in Tarrant County
Tarrant County Homeless Coalition / Partnership Home Helpline:
Phone or text: 817-996-8800

Current posted helpline hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Daytime help in Fort Worth:
True Worth Place
1513 E. Presidio Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-289-7474
Open seven days a week, 365 days a year, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Partnership Home describes Coordinated Entry as the local process for connecting people experiencing homelessness with housing resources. The process is designed to identify, assess, and connect a person with the most appropriate housing solution available, which may include a housing program, reconnecting with family or friends, or help getting an apartment.

Partnership Home says Coordinated Entry may be available to people experiencing literal homelessness in Tarrant or Parker County, including people living somewhere not meant for human habitation or staying in an overnight shelter. It may also be available to people fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence who have no other residence and lack support to obtain permanent housing.

Partnership Home says the first step is usually going to a location such as an emergency shelter where homelessness can be documented. If a person cannot or does not choose to go to a shelter, an outreach team may be able to meet the person at their location to document homelessness.

True Worth Place is a Fort Worth day shelter for people experiencing homelessness. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and provides one place where guests can access immediate help and connect with longer-term services. True Worth Place also says that if it is closed, people should call the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition helpline at 817-996-8800.

MHMR Tarrant County also works with housing agencies and organizations in Tarrant County to provide housing and wraparound services for people living in homelessness as defined by HUD. MHMR explains that this local system is the Coordinated Access System, governed by the lead agency, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.

Tarrant County says rent and utility assistance has transitioned to Center for Transforming Lives. Center for Transforming Lives describes short-term rental and utility assistance for eligible Tarrant County households facing financial hardship, with the goal of helping prevent eviction, utility disconnection, and homelessness. Availability can change, so applicants should check the current application status before relying on this program.

The Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office provides housing assistance programs for extremely low, very low, and low-income families. This is not the same as immediate emergency shelter, and waiting lists or program availability may change. However, it may be a useful resource for claimants who need longer-term affordable housing options.

Housing instability can make a disability case harder in practical ways. A claimant may miss medical appointments, lose access to important mail, have difficulty keeping records, or struggle to follow treatment plans. Knowing where to start for housing or homelessness help may reduce some of those barriers while the disability claim is pending.

Charitable Assistance and Basic Needs Help in Fort Worth

While a Social Security Disability claim is pending, some people need help with basic daily needs. Food, clothing, hygiene items, utilities, transportation, getting to medical appointments, and household supplies can become difficult to manage when a person is disabled and not able to work.

Assistance programs often depend on eligibility, location, documents, and current funding. For that reason, it is usually best to call first before traveling to an office or pantry.

Basic needs starting points in Fort Worth and Tarrant County
United Way 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1
Tarrant Area Food Bank: 817-857-7100
First Street Methodist Mission: 817-335-6080
Eastside Community Assistance: 817-446-3278
Catholic Charities Fort Worth: 817-534-0814
Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County: 817-336-0912
City of Fort Worth Community Action Partners: 817-392-2276

Important:
Hours, eligibility, and available funding can change. Call first to confirm what help is currently available and what documents may be needed.

United Way 2-1-1 is often the best first call when a person has several urgent needs at once. The hotline can connect people with local organizations and government agencies for needs such as food, housing, child care, crisis counseling, substance-use treatment, and other support services.

Tarrant Area Food Bank works with local food pantries and nonprofit partners across Fort Worth and surrounding counties. People looking for food can use the food pantry search tool, but should call the pantry before visiting to confirm current hours and availability.

First Street Methodist Mission in downtown Fort Worth also provides grocery assistance for families and individuals, including people with a residence and people experiencing homelessness. Eastside Community Assistance provides food, clothing, and other essential items in east Fort Worth.

Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County may be especially important for a disabled person who is homebound, unable to prepare nutritious meals, and does not have someone available to help on a regular basis. Referrals can be made online or by phone.

First Street Methodist Mission provides clothing assistance, hygiene kits, infant formula, groceries, sack lunches for people experiencing homelessness, and some household start-up items for people moving from homelessness into housing. Eastside Community Assistance also lists groceries, clothing, household items, diapers, feminine products, incontinence items, hygiene products, and other supplies when available.

The City of Fort Worth’s Community Action Partners program provides services for economically disadvantaged Tarrant County residents, including case management and utility assistance when available. Catholic Charities Fort Worth also provides resource connections, case management programs, financial coaching, emotional support, dental care, and low-cost transportation services.

Because rent, utility, and emergency financial assistance often depends on funding and eligibility, people should check current availability before relying on any single program.

Basic needs problems can directly affect a disability case. If a claimant is hungry, has no transportation, loses stable housing, cannot receive mail, lacks hygiene supplies, or cannot keep medical appointments, it becomes harder to stay connected to treatment and respond to Social Security. Local charitable and basic-needs resources may help reduce some of those practical barriers while the claim is pending.

Building a Better Future: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Support in Tarrant County

The state of Texas – through the Texas Workforce Commission – has vocational rehabilitation and job training services available to Texas residents. Very few Tarrant County Social Security disability applicants access these services. This is completely understandable.

They believe they are disabled. Why would they waste their time with vocational rehabilitation services? They also may believe that seeking and participating in vocational rehabilitation will be viewed by an Administrative Law Judge as an admission of ability to work.

In actuality, it is just the opposite. Applying for vocational rehabilitation services even while you have an ongoing Tarrant County Social Security disability case is a “win-win“:

  • The Texas Workforce Commission is not required to accept you for vocational rehabilitation. If for example you have a doctor’s letter with significant restrictions, or if you tell the Texas Workforce Commission officer about your many limitations, they will be unlikely to accept you for vocational rehabilitation services. Now you have a useful record indicating that the restrictions from your doctor or as you alleged are so extensive that there is no work available even with training.
  • The Texas Workforce Commission accepts you for vocational rehabilitation. You complete the training successfully, and eventually secure a job. This is a better life than being on Social Security disability.
  • Most ALJs view your pursuit of vocational rehabilitation as a positive not a negative. To most ALJs such efforts are considered to be a sign of your initiative and your reluctance to accept the label of being disabled. Your allegations of symptoms have a bit more credibility when the ALJ knows you have been trying to find a way to work.
  • The only small caveat is what you present to the Texas Workforce Commission when you apply for vocational rehabilitation services. Sometimes Texas Workforce Commission workers – when presented with a potential client who has filed a claim for social security disability – look for a statement from that potential client that they “are disabled”. I recommend that you think carefully about how you explain your situation. You do not need to claim that you are capable of working, nor do you need to insist that you are incapable of any work. You can accurately explain that you cannot perform your past work and do not know whether vocational rehabilitation could enable you to perform some other type of work. Here is a typical statement that could serve your interest:

“My attorney has told me that I have the right to vocational rehabilitation services. I cannot do my old job, and I really cannot see other work that I can do, but I want to explore whether I could be trained to do a new job.”

Here is more information about how to directly access vocational rehabilitation services with the Texas Workforce Commission:

Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Online self-referral: Start My VR
VR office locator phone: 512-936-6400
Email: vr.office.locator@twc.texas.gov

Local access:
Workforce Solutions says people can also ask a Career Consultant or receptionist at a Workforce Center to connect them with a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Counselor.

Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services may help people with physical, mental, cognitive, visual, hearing, or brain-injury related disabilities when the disability creates a barrier to finding, keeping, or advancing in employment.

A person can start with the Start My VR online self-referral form, use the Texas Workforce Commission VR Office Locator, call 512-936-6400, or ask at a local Workforce Center to be connected with a VR counselor.

Services are based on the person’s situation and employment goals. They may include job search help, job readiness training, career-focused education and training, paid internship opportunities, accommodations, assistive technology, job coaching, job development services, assessments, and certain therapies.

Social Security Administration Offices for Fort Worth and Tarrant County

Fort Worth and Tarrant County disability claimants may need to contact a local Social Security field office to ask questions, provide documents, check the status of a claim, or handle other Social Security matters. Many SSA services can be handled online or by phone, but some issues may require a phone or in-person appointment.

SSA says appointments are required in most cases for field-office service. If you need to visit an office, call ahead or use SSA’s appointment process before going. This can reduce wasted trips and help you confirm what documents you need to bring.

Office hours, appointment rules, and available services can change, so claimants should confirm details with SSA before visiting.

Before visiting a Social Security office
National SSA phone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778

Good to know:
SSA field offices generally help with Social Security cards, benefit applications, SSI, Social Security Disability, Medicare-related issues, benefit changes, and other account questions. Call first to confirm whether your issue can be handled online, by phone, or by appointment.

Fort Worth Downtown Social Security Administration Office

Address:
819 Taylor Street
Room 1-A-07, Federal Building
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Local phone: 866-704-4858
Current posted hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed weekends and federal holidays.

This downtown office may be convenient for claimants near central Fort Worth or nearby communities. Because it is located in a federal building, allow extra time before any appointment.

Fort Worth South Social Security Administration Office

Address:
2901 Altamesa Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76133

Local phone: 866-613-2745
Current posted hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed weekends and federal holidays.

This office may be more convenient for claimants in south Fort Worth or nearby parts of Tarrant County. Call before visiting to confirm whether your issue requires an appointment and what documents to bring.

Grand Prairie Social Security Administration Office

Address:
2010 N State Hwy 360
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

This office may be relevant for some residents in the eastern part of the Fort Worth / Tarrant County area. Before visiting, use the official SSA office locator or call SSA to confirm current hours, appointment requirements, and services for this location.

Office of Hearings Operations for Fort Worth and Tarrant County

If a Social Security Disability claim is denied and the claimant continues the appeal, the case may eventually be scheduled for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. For many disability claimants, the hearing is one of the most important stages of the case. See https://www.disabilityapproved.com/social-security-disability-hearings/ for specific information about the ALJ Hearing.

Fort Worth Office of Hearings Operations
819 Taylor Street, Federal Office Building
Room 9A27
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Fort Worth OHO Administrative Law Judge Disposition Data

The following table summarizes Administrative Law Judge disposition data for the Fort Worth Office of Hearings Operations for the reporting period ending July 31, 2026.

Table may scroll horizontally on smaller screens.

JudgeFort Worth
Dispositions
Total
Dispositions
DecisionsAwardsDenialsFully
Favorable
Partially
Favorable
DismissalsAward
Rate
Fully Favorable
Rate
Fort Worth
Share
Batik, Kevin4764763731702031492110345.6%39.9%100.0%
Carvalho, Sherrill392392316184132152327658.2%48.1%100.0%
Cima, Brock464464396155241134216839.1%33.8%100.0%
Cravens, Steven L.42313352312212765.7%60.0%13.4%
Engel, David526443130175.0%75.0%1.9%
Hamner, Darren496496421262159224387562.2%53.2%100.0%
Roberts, Laura5005073982551432074810264.1%52.0%98.6%
Sampson, William2221110050.0%50.0%100.0%
Wyatt, Kimberly O.20252169781456.3%50.0%7.9%
Note: These numbers are historical disposition data and do not predict the result of any individual Social Security Disability claim. Each case depends on its own medical evidence, work history, testimony, and applicable Social Security rules.

Attorney Denman has appeared numerous times before the ALJs in the Fort Worth OHO during his 35-year career and can advise Fort Worth disability clients about hearing options, including in-person, audio/telephone, and video hearings.

Social Security Disability Lawyer for Fort Worth and Tarrant County

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Additional Fort Worth Disability and Insurance Statistics

Fort Worth has a lower percentage of adult residents receiving Social Security Disability than Texas and the United States as a whole.

Workers

Disabled workers

Fort Worth has a high percentage of residents under age 65 without health insurance: lower than Texas overall, but higher than the United States as a whole.

Persons with health insurance, under age 65

Persons without health insurance, under age 65

Fort Worth is ethnically diverse

A higher percentage of Fort Worth residents identify as non-white compared with Texas and the United States as a whole.

Race “Other than White”

More Fort Worth households speak a language other than English at home than the U.S. average, but fewer than Texas overall.

English spoken at home

Language other than English spoken at home

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214-219-7288

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EVALUACIÓN CONFIDENCIAL DEL CASO

CONSULTA GRATIS

Programe una consulta telefónica de 15 minutos gratis con el abogado Denman.

214-219-7288

El abogado Denman hablará con usted cuando llame, a menos que esté con un cliente o en una audiencia.

EVALUACIÓN CONFIDENCIAL DEL CASO

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