Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 864.016. Claim and Appeal Procedure

(a) An application for disability retirement benefits or a death benefit must be filed with the local board.  On receiving an application under this subsection, the local board shall hold a hearing to decide the merits of the application and whether to approve or deny the application.  The local board shall send a written copy of its decision to the claimant, the applicant, and the executive director.

(a-1) A claim for a service retirement annuity must be filed with the executive director.

(b) A person aggrieved by a decision of a local board or of the executive director relating to eligibility for or the amount of benefits under this subtitle may appeal the decision to the state board.

(c) An appeal of a local board or executive director decision under this section is begun by delivering a notice of appeal to the presiding officer or secretary of the local board that made the decision or to the executive director, as applicable.  The notice must be delivered not later than the 20th day after the date of the decision and contain a brief description of the reasons for the appeal.  The aggrieved person must file a copy of the notice with the state board.

(d) An appeal of a local board or executive director decision under this section is held in Austin and is a contested case under Chapter 2001, conducted as a de novo hearing by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

(e) After a hearing under Subsection (d), the state board shall decide each appeal from a local board or executive director decision, issue a written opinion, and notify the local board or executive director, as applicable, and the claimant if the state board overrules the decision.

(f) A final decision of the state board under this section is subject to judicial review under Chapter 2001.  The standard of review is by substantial evidence.  Venue of the appeal is only in a district court in Travis County.

(g) Redesignated as subsec. (f) and amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., ch. 1316 (S.B. 220), § 1.07.