Nearly 21.5% of the adult population in Maryland have a disability that might qualify them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
These disabilities involve functional impairment relating to cognition, mobility, vision, hearing, independent living, and self-care.
Unfortunately, adults with disabilities are more likely to have issues with smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and staying active.
A person with developmental disabilities may also need a caregiver to help with routine tasks. The average caregiver cost in Maryland is about $21 per hour.
SSDI can help cover these expenses. But how do you qualify for SSDI benefits in Maryland?
This post will discuss everything you need to know about Social Security local to Maryland and how to qualify for disability benefits.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Maryland?
SSDI is a federal program, so the eligibility criteria are the same regardless of your state, except for a few states. The Social Security Administration (SSA) decides eligibility based on your medical condition and work history.
Generally, you must have a severely disabling condition that is expected to last at least a year or eventually lead to death.
The disability should prevent you from doing any work. If you can work under limited capacity and with reasonable accommodations, you are ineligible for SSD benefits.
About work history, you must have accumulated at least 40 work credits, half of which must have been earned within the past decade.
Earning credits is easier than you can imagine. An income of $5,880 earns you four work credits per year. That means you don’t need to work ten years to acquire 20 work credits.
Note that unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans benefits, the nature of your disability will not determine the amount a disabled resident receives in monthly benefits.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Maryland?
If you reside in Maryland, you can visit any of the 23 SSA field offices to apply for SSDI. Keep in mind that these locations differ from Maryland social services buildings where you can apply for food stamps.
You may also apply for SSDI by calling the SSA national hotline at (800) 772-1213. The line is open during office hours from Monday to Friday.
Lastly, you can apply for SSD in Maryland by completing the online application on the SSA website. You only need to sign up, log in to your Social Security account, and fill out all the required forms.
Having adequate documentation and proof of disability before you file an SSD claim is crucial. Prepare records of your medical history, work history, doctor’s contact information, and Maryland Social Security number before filling out the application forms.
Also, be ready to provide personal information about you and your spouse, marriage or divorce records, minor children, and bank information.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Maryland?
When you submit your SSDI application, the SSA will review it to discover if you meet the basic eligibility.
If you meet the basic requirements, the SSA will send your application to the Maryland Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for a thorough evaluation of your medical condition and work history.
To do this, a claims examiner from the DDS will review your proof of disability. The claims examiner will contact your healthcare provider to ask for details about your condition.
They may also schedule you for a consultative examination with an independent doctor. The claims examiner will then reach out to a vocational expert to know how much your disability affects you from working.
The vocational expert will look at your work history and compare it to your medical records. They will then inform the claims examiner if there are any jobs that your disability can allow you to do with reasonable accommodations.
The final decision on your eligibility status will be based on all this information. You will receive a mail notice stating whether you have been approved for benefits.
If the DDS considers you disabled, the notice will state how much you will be getting in benefits and when to expect the first payment. If your application is denied, the note will explain why and inform you of your options for filing an appeal.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Maryland
Maryland DDS approves 39% of disability claims at the initial application stage. That means most SSDI claimants must undergo the appeals process to reconsider their application.
Below are the four levels of appeals:
Reconsideration
If your application was denied at the initial stage, you might appeal to the SSA by requesting a reconsideration.This application for reconsideration must be submitted within 60 days of denial.
Another claims examiner who was not part of the initial decision will re-evaluate your claim to determine whether an error occurred.
Disability Hearing
If the reconsideration does not reverse the initial decision, you may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Maryland’s Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) will schedule your hearing in a hearing office near you.
You must present additional evidence and witness statements at the hearing to convince the judge of the severity of your condition. Most claimants choose to have a legal representative at this point.
Appeals Council
Very few cases get to this level of appeal. But in case of a denial at the hearing, you may request the Appeals Council to review your case.
The council may either deny your request or return your case to the ALJ for a second hearing.
Federal District Court
If the Appeals Council denies your case, the last option is to file a lawsuit at the district court. Any decisions made here are final.
Generally, the appeals process is complex. Doing it with the help of a Social Security Disability lawyer can make the process more manageable and increase your chances of being approved for benefits.
Maryland SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Maryland is in Region 3 (Philadelphia), which serves Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The average wait time for a disability hearing in Maryland is 11 months. So, if filing for a disability hearing, it will take close to a year before a judge decides your case.
Fortunately, the application approval rate is encouraging despite the long wait time. Maryland Social Security Administration approves 63% of claims at disability hearings.
Compared to the 51% national average, Maryland residents are more likely to be approved for benefits at a hearing than residents in other states.
If you decide to appeal a claim, don’t do it alone, especially at the hearing level. Research conducted by the Government Accountability Office revealed that applicants with a legal representative are three times more likely to be approved for benefits.
How Do I Contact the Maryland Social Security Office Near Me?
Maryland has 23 Social Security Field Offices that deal with all matters concerning SSDI and SSI.
Here is a list of all Maryland Social Security offices. You can call or visit the nearest local office to inquire about your eligibility, the application process, or the status of your application.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Balto NE SSA Office | 2401 Belair Rd Ste 106 Baltimore, MD 21213 |
(866) 336-9653 |
| Balto West SSA Office | 1531 S Edgewood St Suite S Baltimore, MD 21227 |
(877) 870-6381 |
| Abingdon SSA Office | Corporate Center Dr 3435A Box Hill Abingdon, MD 21009 |
(877) 701-2142 |
| Cambridge SSA Office | 828 Airpax Road Suite 500 Cambridge, MD 21613 |
(888) 347-9277 |
| Elkton SSA Office | 300 Big Elk Mall Elkton, MD 21921 |
(866) 331-2218 |
| Columbia SSA Office | Lakeside Bldg Ste 110 Columbia, MD 21045 |
(877) 445-0504 |
| Balto Rossville SSA Office | 6820 Hospital Dr Suite 100 Baltimore, MD 21237 |
(866) 348-5818 |
| Owings Mills SSA Office | 5 Park Center Court Suite 100 Owings Mills, MD 21117 |
(866) 681-1412 |
| Baltimore Wabash SSA Office | 6100A Wabash Avenue Baltimore Wabash Baltimore, MD 21215 |
(866) 708-3210 |
| Baltimore Dtn SSA Office | 1010 Park Ave Suite 200 Baltimore, MD 21201 |
(866) 931-9942 |
| Salisbury SSA Office | 2414 Northgate Dr Suite 1 Salisbury, MD 21801 |
(866) 273-5083 |
| Cumberland SSA Office | 217 Glenn St Suite 100 Cumberland, MD 21502 |
(866) 964-7409 |
| Hagerstown SSA Office | 1710 Underpass Way Suite 100 Hagerstown, MD 21740 |
(866) 331-7125 |
| Annapolis SSA Office | 185 Harry S Truman Pkwy Suite 114 Annapolis, MD 21401 |
(888) 840-0684 |
| Towson SSA Office | 28 Allegheny Avenue 4th Floor Towson, MD 21204 |
(866) 614-4758 |
| Silver Spring SSA Office | 10230 New Hampshire Ave Ste 304 Silver Spring, MD 20903 |
(877) 512-3848 |
| Glen Burnie SSA Office | 337 Hospital Dr Suite 1A Glen Burnie, MD 21061 |
(866) 528-9873 |
| Camp Springs SSA Office | 6110 Allentown Road Suitland, MD 20746 |
(877) 512-3849 |
| Frederick SSA Office | 5340 Spectrum Drive Suite N Frederick, MD 21703 |
(866) 331-7089 |
| Charlotte Hall SSA Office | 30071 Business Ctr Dr Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 |
(888) 866-5181 |
| Rockville SSA Office | 315 N Washington St Rockville, MD 20850 |
(866) 838-5341 |
| Westminster SSA Office | 125 Airport Dr Unit 10 Westminster, MD 21157 |
(877) 694-5496 |
| Greenbelt SSA Office | 7401 Forbes Blvd Suite C Seabrook, MD 20706 |
(866) 338-4115 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Maryland
Anyone who cannot work because of a severe medical condition can apply for Social Security Disability benefits. But it takes an attorney’s help to file a claim correctly and increase your odds of being approved for benefits.
A local Maryland Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather enough evidence and file your initial claim. They can also manage the correspondence with the DDS and represent you at the hearing.
At Legal Giant, we can connect you with an experienced Maryland SSD attorney to handle your case. Contact us today for legal advice and an evaluation of your case.
