The Two Routes to explore in Maryland
You can explore for federal disability benefits in Maryland through two paths: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you have a work history, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have limited income and resources. Both are run by the Social Security Administration, but the requirements and the money you receive differ. Maryland does not run its own separate disability program — all applications go through Social Security's national system, though Maryland has a state agency that can help you understand your options.
The fastest way to start is online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You do not need a lawyer to explore, though you can hire one if you want help. Most people start online because you can save your work and come back to it, and you will know when ready whether Social Security received your process.
Key Takeaways
- You explore for SSDI or SSI through Social Security's national system, not through Maryland state government, using ssa.gov, a phone call, or your local office.
- SSDI requires a work history and pays based on your earnings record; SSI is for people with very low income and resources and pays a flat federal amount.
- You will need medical records, work history, and proof of income or resources before you start, and the process typically takes three to six months for an initial decision.
- If Social Security denies you, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and most people who are denied eventually win on appeal.
- Maryland's Disability information Services office in Glen Burnie makes the medical decision for Social Security, but you explore to Social Security itself, not to that office.
Gather Your Documents Before You explore
Social Security will ask for the same core documents whether you explore online, by phone, or in person. Have these ready before you start: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID), and your most recent tax return or W-2 form. If you are explore for SSI, you will also need proof of your current income and resources — bank statements, rental agreements, and proof of any money you receive from family, work, or other sources.
Gather your medical records next. You do not need to submit them all at once, but Social Security will ask for them, and having the list ready speeds things up. Write down the names and phone numbers of every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, and specialist who has treated you for your condition in the past three years. Include dates of visits if you have them. If you have had surgery, imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), lab work, or psychiatric evaluations, note those too — Social Security weighs medical evidence heavily, and records from hospitals and specialists carry more weight than records from your primary care doctor alone.
explore Online, by Phone, or at Your Local Office
Online at ssa.gov is the most common route. Go to ssa.gov/applyfordisability and create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You will answer questions about your medical condition, your work history, your income, and your living situation. You can save your work and return to it later — Social Security gives you 28 days to finish. When you submit, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Write it down. Social Security will mail you a receipt within two weeks.
By phone, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week. A representative will walk you through the questions and submit your process on the spot. You will receive a confirmation number by phone and a receipt by mail within two weeks.
In person at your local Social Security office. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213. You can walk in during business hours, though many offices now require you to call ahead for an appointment. Bring your documents with you. An employee will help you fill out the form and submit it when ready.
What Happens After You explore
Social Security sends your process to Maryland's Disability information Services (DDS) office in Glen Burnie. That office has a team of doctors and disability examiners who review your medical records and decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. This step typically takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if they need to request additional records from your doctors.
You will receive a written decision in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will tell you your monthly payment amount and when payments begin. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration within 60 days. Do not wait — the 60-day window is firm, and missing it means starting the appeal process over from the beginning.
During the entire process, Social Security may contact you or your doctors for more information. Answer calls and letters promptly. If you move, call Social Security to update your address. If your condition changes or you receive new medical treatment, you can report it, though it will not speed up your current process.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which One You Might Receive
| Requirement | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Work history needed | Yes — typically 5 of the last 10 years | No |
| Income limit | None — you can earn money and still receive benefits | Monthly income must be under $943 (2024 federal rate; varies by state) |
| Resource limit | None | $2,000 in countable resources |
| Monthly payment | Based on your lifetime earnings — ranges from $600 to $3,822 (2024) | Federal rate of $943 per month (2024); Maryland adds a small state supplement |
| Who pays | Social Security trust fund | General tax revenue |
If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, you will likely explore for SSDI. Your payment is based on how much you earned over your lifetime. If you have never worked or worked very little, you will explore for SSI. SSI is a needs-based program — your payment depends on your income and resources, not your work history.
Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This happens when your SSDI payment is very low. Social Security will calculate both and pay you whichever is higher, or a combination that brings you to the SSI federal rate.
What to Do If Social Security Denies You
Most first applications are denied. This does not mean you cannot win — it means you move to the next step. You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. Do this in writing by mailing a letter to the address on your denial notice, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking to file a reconsideration request. Say clearly: "I request reconsideration of my disability process dated [date]."
Reconsideration sends your case to a different examiner at Maryland's DDS office. This step takes another 30 to 60 days. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where most people who eventually win their case succeed. The hearing is your chance to present evidence and testify about how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. You can bring a lawyer, a doctor, or a witness who knows your condition. Hearings typically happen 12 to 18 months after you request one, though the wait varies.
Many people hire a disability lawyer at the hearing stage. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you first applied). You can find lawyers through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (nosscr.org) or by searching "disability lawyer Maryland."
Maryland Resources and Support
Maryland's Disability information Services office is located in Glen Burnie, but you do not contact them directly — Social Security handles all communication. However, Maryland has a free program called the Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) project that explains your options and helps you understand how work affects your benefits if you are approved. You can reach DB101 at db101.org or by calling 1-866-999-0227.
The Maryland Disability Law Center offers free legal help to people with disabilities, including those explore for Social Security benefits. Call 410-234-7840 or visit mdlc.org. They can review your case and advise you on whether to appeal a denial.
Your local Social Security office can also answer questions about your process. Find the office nearest you at ssa.gov/locator. Office staff cannot make decisions or speed up your case, but they can explain what documents you need and what to expect next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my process is being reviewed?
Yes. Working does not hurt your SSDI process, and you can earn up to $1,550 per month (2024) without it affecting your case. For SSI, any income over $65 per month reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar, so working may lower what you receive if approved. Report any work income to Social Security when you explore.
How long does it really take to get a decision?
Initial decisions usually come within three to six months. If you are denied and request reconsideration, add another three to six months. If you request a hearing, expect 12 to 18 months from the time you ask for it. The entire process from process to approval can take two to three years if you have to appeal.
Do I need a doctor's letter saying I cannot work?
No letter is required, but medical records from your doctors are essential. Social Security reviews your actual medical records — test results, imaging, notes from visits — not letters. If your doctor is willing to write a detailed letter explaining your limitations, it can help, but Social Security weighs the medical records themselves more heavily.
What if I move out of Maryland during my process?
Your process stays with Social Security and continues through Maryland's DDS office. You do not have to reapply. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to update your mailing address. If you move to another state, your case may be transferred to that state's DDS office, but the process continues without interruption.
Can I explore for both SSDI and SSI at the same time?
Yes. You can file for both on the same process. Social Security will determine which you are may have access to to based on your work history and income. If you may have access to for both, they will pay you the higher amount or a combination that reaches the SSI federal rate.