Texas · State Programs Checked October 2026

Disability Benefits and Help in Texas

What Disability Help Is Available in Texas?

In Texas, the Disability Determination Services (Texas Health and Human Services Commission) decides the medical part of SSDI and SSI claims; Texas adds a state supplement to SSI for some recipients; Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) for Adults; also Medicaid Buy-In for Children lets working people with disabilities keep Medicaid. This page lists each program with its official link, plus vocational rehabilitation, free disability rights help, ABLE accounts and parking placards.

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SSDI and SSI in Texas

Social Security disability works the same in every state: SSA takes your application, and a state agency makes the medical decision. In Texas, that agency is the Disability Determination Services (Texas Health and Human Services Commission). In 2026, SSI pays up to $994 a month for an individual before any state supplement, and work above $1,690 a month generally rules out disability benefits.

Start with how to apply, SSDI vs SSI and the eligibility screener. To visit an office, find Social Security offices in Texas on socialsecurityofficesnearme.com, the office finder from the same publisher.

Does Texas Add to SSI?

SSI recipients who live in an institutional setting and receive the $30 reduced federal benefit receive a state supplement so that their personal needs allowance equals the state minimum. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the personal needs allowance is $75. The state runs it through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), separately from SSA.

Texas SSI state supplement amounts
WhoMonthly supplementYear
personal needs allowance the state supplement brings institutionalized SSI recipients up to (total, not the supplement alone)$75Beginning Jan. 1, 2024

Source: state program page. See how SSI works and the SSI calculator.

Short-Term Disability in Texas

Texas has no state short-term disability insurance program and no state paid medical leave program for your own health condition.

Compare every state program in state disability insurance.

Medicaid for People With Disabilities in Texas

Texas's Medicaid program is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The state has a 1634 agreement with SSA, so SSA makes the Medicaid decision for SSI recipients: when SSA approves your SSI, Medicaid generally follows. (SSA)

Working with a disability: Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) for Adults; also Medicaid Buy-In for Children Earned income must be less than $3,325 a month before deductions and countable assets no more than $5,000; a monthly fee applies above certain income levels.

Home and Community Services in Texas

More on Medicaid for people with disabilities and getting paid as a family caregiver.

Vocational Rehabilitation in Texas

Texas's vocational rehabilitation agency helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs:

How it works: vocational rehabilitation.

Disability Rights Help in Texas

Disability Rights Texas is Texas's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

Know your rights: the ADA, accommodations at work, IEPs and 504 plans.

ABLE Accounts in Texas

Texas ABLE: Established by the Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience Act and administered under the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board (Texas Comptroller). In 2026 you can contribute up to $20,000 a year, and the disability must have started before age 46.

Details: ABLE accounts.

Disability Parking Placards in Texas

Apply through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV); apply at your county tax assessor-collector's office using Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214). Red (temporary) placard expires in 6 months or less; blue (permanent) placard is renewable every 4 years.

How placards work everywhere: disability parking placards.

Related on ssofficelocation.org: Social Security offices and hearing offices in Texas.

Texas Disability Help: Common Questions

Who Decides Disability Claims in Texas?

SSA takes the application and checks the non-medical rules; the Disability Determination Services (Texas Health and Human Services Commission) makes the medical decision for SSDI and SSI claims from Texas.

Does Texas Add to SSI Payments?

Yes. SSI recipients who live in an institutional setting and receive the $30 reduced federal benefit receive a state supplement so that their personal needs allowance equals the state minimum. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the personal needs allowance is $75.

Does Texas Have State Disability Insurance?

No. Texas has no state short-term disability insurance or paid medical leave program for your own health condition.

Does SSI Come With Medicaid in Texas?

The state has a 1634 agreement with SSA, so SSA makes the Medicaid decision for SSI recipients: when SSA approves your SSI, Medicaid generally follows.

How Do I Get a Disability Parking Placard in Texas?

Apply through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV); apply at your county tax assessor-collector's office using Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214). Red (temporary) placard expires in 6 months or less; blue (permanent) placard is renewable every 4 years.

Disability help in other states

Sources

  1. hhs.texas.gov: How pay services
  2. fhb.hhs.texas.gov: H 1500 personal needs allowance
  3. secure.ssa.gov
  4. hhs.texas.gov: Programs children adults disabilities
  5. secure.ssa.gov
  6. fhb.hhs.texas.gov: A 2100 supplemental security income
  7. hhs.texas.gov: Medicaid buy adults
  8. hhs.texas.gov: Home community based services
  9. hhs.texas.gov: Starplus
  10. twc.texas.gov: Vocational rehabilitation services
  11. rsa.ed.gov: States
  12. disabilityrightstx.org
  13. texasable.org: Program overview
  14. txdmv.gov: VTR 214 (PDF)
  15. txdmv.gov: Disabled parking placards plates

disability.help is an independent publisher, not a government agency. To apply for Social Security disability benefits, go to ssa.gov. For VA disability compensation, go to va.gov.