Frequently Asked Questions.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history and the payroll taxes you’ve paid into Social Security. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Many people in East Texas qualify for one or both. I’ll explain which applies to your situation during a free consultation.

You may qualify if you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Eligibility also depends on your work history (for SSDI) or income and resources (for SSI). I help people throughout Tyler, Smith County, and East Texas evaluate their eligibility at no charge.

Yes. If you haven’t worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may still be eligible for SSI if your income and resources fall below certain limits. This is common for people in East Texas who became disabled at a young age or had limited work opportunities. Contact me and we’ll review your options at no charge.

Social Security maintains a “Blue Book” of qualifying conditions, but you don’t have to match a listing exactly. Common conditions I handle for clients in Tyler and East Texas include heart disease, back and neck injuries, cancer, depression and anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, COPD, diabetes, neurological disorders, and autoimmune conditions. What matters most is how your condition limits your ability to work.

It depends on how much you’re earning. Social Security uses a threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, that’s $1,620 per month for most applicants. If you earn less than that, you may still be eligible. Many of my clients in East Texas are working limited hours due to their condition. I can help you understand where you stand.

Initial decisions from the Texas Disability Determination Services typically take 9–12 months. If you’re denied, there are two appeal steps, eventually leading to a hearing which can take up to 24+ months in the Tyler, Texas hearing office area. Wait times vary, but I keep every client informed at each stage so you’re never left wondering where your case stands.

Disability hearings for the Tyler area are held at the Social Security Office of Hearings Operations. I’ve represented clients at hundreds of hearings in this office and am familiar with the local Administrative Law Judges and how they evaluate cases. If you’re in Smith County, Gregg County, Cherokee County, or anywhere in East Texas, your hearing will typically be scheduled here.

A hearing is an informal proceeding before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You’ll answer questions about your medical conditions, daily activities, and work history. A vocational expert may also testify. I prepare every client thoroughly beforehand so there are no surprises, and I’m right there with you to present evidence and make arguments on your behalf.

You can check your claim status online at ssa.gov, by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting the Tyler Social Security office at 5509 S Donnybrook. If you’re my client, you can also call me directly anytime — I track every case closely and can give you a plain-language update.

Bring any denial letters you’ve received from Social Security, a list of your medical conditions and medications, names and addresses of your doctors, and your work history for the past 5 years. Consultations at my Tyler office are always free.

A denial is not the end — most initial claims are denied. You have 60 days from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal. The sooner you act, the better. I handle the full appeals process for clients throughout Tyler and East Texas, from reconsideration through ALJ hearings, where approval rates are significantly higher with experienced representation.

Texas has one of the higher initial denial rates in the country. Common reasons include insufficient medical evidence, incomplete paperwork, or the state agency concluding you can still do some type of work. That doesn’t mean your claim is weak — it often means the application didn’t present your case effectively. That’s where having an experienced disability attorney in Tyler makes a real difference.

You can, but the data shows that claimants represented by attorneys are significantly more likely to win at a hearing. I know what the Administrative Law Judges in the East Texas hearing offices look for, how to present medical evidence persuasively, and how to cross-examine vocational experts. There’s no upfront cost to hire me, so there’s no financial risk in getting help.

Yes. If your condition has worsened, you have new medical evidence, or your circumstances have changed, you can file a new application at any time. Many of my clients in East Texas were denied in the past and successfully approved on a new claim or appeal. I’ll review your situation for free and tell you honestly whether a new application makes sense.

Nothing upfront. My fee is set by federal law: 25% of your past-due benefits, capped at $9,200. Social Security pays my fee directly from your back pay — you never write me a check. If we don’t win your case, you owe me absolutely nothing. This is the standard fee structure for disability attorneys nationwide.

No. I don’t charge for consultations, phone calls, gathering medical records, or any work I do on your case. The only fee is the contingency fee described above, and it only applies if we win. I want every person in Tyler and East Texas who needs help to be able to afford it.

No. If we don’t win your case, you owe me nothing. That’s the deal, plain and simple. I take on the risk because I believe in the cases I accept.

Yes, always. I run a solo practice specifically so my clients can reach me directly. When you call, you talk to me. That’s a promise I make to every client and one I take seriously. You’ll never be passed to a case manager or told to leave a message with a secretary.

Yes. While my office is in Tyler at 6655 Oak Hill Boulevard, I represent clients throughout East Texas, including Longview, Marshall, Jacksonville, Athens, Palestine, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Henderson, Sulphur Springs, and surrounding areas in Smith, Gregg, Cherokee, Rusk, Anderson, Angelina, Nacogdoches, and Henderson counties.

Call me at (903) 714-0641 or email info@cheyenneallen.com. My office is at 6655 Oak Hill Boulevard, Tyler, TX 75703. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday 9am to 2pm. You can also use the contact form on this website. There’s no charge and no obligation.

I’ve been representing Social Security Disability clients in East Texas since 1999 — over 25 years. I graduated cum laude from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and spent eight years at a larger disability firm before opening my own practice in Tyler in 2007. Social Security Disability is all I do.

You can start an application online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at the Tyler Social Security office on S. Donnybrook. However, I recommend talking to me first. A free consultation lets me evaluate your case and make sure your application is as strong as possible before it’s submitted.