how the process works for SSDI in Maryland

To explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Maryland, you submit your process to the Social Security Administration (SSA) — not to the state. You can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at any Social Security field office in Maryland. The online process takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is often the fastest route because you avoid phone wait times and can save your work and return to it later.

Maryland does not run its own SSDI program. The SSA processes all SSDI claims the same way nationwide, though Maryland's Disability information Services (DDS) — a state agency contracted by SSA — will review medical evidence and make the initial decision on your case. After you submit your process, you will receive a notice telling you which DDS office is handling your claim.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore directly to the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a local field office — not to Maryland state government.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records from your doctors, and work history for the past 15 years.
  • The SSA sends your case to Maryland's Disability information Services, which makes the initial decision within 30 to 90 days in most cases.
  • If you are denied, you can request reconsideration within 60 days, and Maryland DDS will review your case again with any new medical evidence you provide.
  • While your case is pending, you can contact the SSA to check status, but Maryland DDS does not take calls from applicants — all communication goes through SSA.

Documents and Information You Need Before You explore

Gather these items before you start your process. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance you will need to resubmit or provide missing information later.

Identity and work history: Your Social Security number, birth certificate or passport, and a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years, including employer names, dates worked, and job titles. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years.

Medical records: Names and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers who have treated you for your condition. Bring dates of visits if you have them. The SSA will request records directly from these providers, but having the contact information ready prevents delays. If you have recent test results, imaging reports, or hospital discharge summaries, have those on hand — you can upload them during the online process.

Work information: If you stopped working or reduced your hours because of your condition, write down the date you stopped working and why. If you are still working, note your current earnings and hours per week.

explore Online at ssa.gov

The online process is called the "Adult Disability Report" and is available 24 hours a day. Go to ssa.gov, click "explore for Disability," and select "explore for Disability Insurance Benefits." You will create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one. The account requires your email address and a password you create.

The form asks about your medical condition, when it started, how it affects your ability to work, your work history, and your doctors' names. You can upload medical documents directly into the process. When you finish, the SSA sends you a confirmation number by email. Keep this number — you will use it to check your case status later.

After you submit, the SSA mails you a notice within 5 to 7 business days confirming receipt and telling you which Maryland DDS office is reviewing your claim. This notice also includes a case number you can use to check status online or by phone.

explore by Phone or at a Field Office

If you prefer to explore by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week. The SSA representative will ask the same questions as the online form and will mail you a confirmation notice afterward.

To explore in person, find your nearest Maryland Social Security field office at ssa.gov/locator. Walk-in appointments are not may provide, so call ahead or use the office locator to schedule an appointment. Bring original or certified copies of your birth certificate, Social Security card, and any medical records you have. The office staff will take your process and mail you a confirmation notice within a week.

What Happens After You explore: The Maryland DDS Review

Once the SSA receives your process, it is sent to Maryland's Disability information Services in Baltimore. DDS is a state agency that contracts with SSA to make the initial decision on disability claims. DDS will request your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed. This process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

A DDS examiner — not a doctor — reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets SSA's definition of disability. SSA defines disability as a condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The examiner may order a consultative examination (a medical exam paid for by SSA) if your records are incomplete.

DDS mails you a decision notice within 30 to 90 days in most cases. The notice tells you whether you were approved or denied and explains why. If you are approved, it tells you when your benefits start and how much your monthly payment will be. If you are denied, it explains which parts of SSA's rules your condition did not meet and tells you how to request reconsideration.

If You Are Denied: Reconsideration and Appeals

If Maryland DDS denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to request reconsideration. You do this by contacting the SSA — call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local field office. Tell them you want to request reconsideration and ask them to send you the "Request for Reconsideration" form, or fill it out online at ssa.gov.

During reconsideration, your case goes back to Maryland DDS, and a different examiner reviews it. This is your chance to submit new medical evidence — recent test results, a new letter from your doctor, or updated treatment records. Send any new evidence to the SSA, and they will forward it to DDS. Reconsideration takes another 30 to 90 days.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You have 60 days from the second denial notice to request a hearing. At a hearing, you can present evidence and testify about how your condition affects your ability to work. Many people hire a disability representative or attorney for the hearing. You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or ask your local legal aid office.

Checking Your process Status in Maryland

Once you have submitted your process, you can check status online or by phone. If you applied online, log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov and click "Check Your process Status." If you applied by phone or in person, call 1-800-772-1213 and give the representative your case number (from your confirmation notice).

The status will tell you whether the SSA is still gathering medical records, whether your case has been sent to Maryland DDS, or whether a decision has been made. You cannot contact Maryland DDS directly — all communication about your case goes through the SSA. If you have questions about what DDS is doing, the SSA representative can sometimes provide limited information, but DDS does not take calls from applicants.

If your case is taking longer than 90 days, you can ask the SSA to check on it. Delays often happen because medical records are slow to arrive or because DDS is backlogged. The SSA can sometimes request records directly from your doctors to speed things up.

Work and Earnings While Your process Is Pending

You can continue to work while your SSDI process is being reviewed. If you earn money, report it to the SSA — you will be asked about current work and earnings when you explore. Earning above a certain amount (called "substantial gainful activity," or SGA) can affect your claim. For 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals, though this amount changes yearly.

If you are earning above the SGA limit, the SSA may deny your claim based on work activity alone, without reviewing your medical condition. If you are earning below SGA, your medical condition will still be reviewed. If you are approved, your benefits will start in the month after you meet the five-month waiting period (explained below), regardless of whether you are still working.

When Your Benefits Start and the Five-Month Waiting Period

SSDI has a five-month waiting period. This means your first payment arrives in the sixth month after your "onset date" — the date your condition began or the date you stopped working due to disability, whichever the SSA determines. For example, if your onset date is January 2024, your first payment arrives in July 2024.

During the waiting period, you receive no payment, but you are building may be able to access. Once the waiting period ends and you are approved, you receive a lump-sum payment covering the five months you waited, plus your regular monthly payment. You will also become covered by Medicare 24 months after your first payment, even if you are still working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for SSDI if I am still working in Maryland?

Yes. You can work and explore for SSDI at the same time. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 SGA limit), the SSA may deny your claim based on work activity. If you earn less than SGA, your medical condition will still be reviewed. Report all current earnings when you explore.

How long does it take to get a decision on my SSDI process in Maryland?

Most decisions come within 30 to 90 days after Maryland DDS receives your case. Delays happen when medical records are slow to arrive or when DDS orders a consultative exam. You can check your status online or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

What if my doctor says I am disabled but the SSA denies my claim?

The SSA uses its own definition of disability, which is stricter than most doctors' definitions. Your doctor's opinion matters, but the SSA also looks at whether your condition prevents you from doing any work, not just your current job. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration and submit a detailed letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot work.

Do I need a lawyer to explore for SSDI in Maryland?

You do not need a lawyer to explore or to request reconsideration. Many people are approved without representation. However, if you are denied twice and request a hearing, a lawyer or representative can improve your chances. You only pay if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay.

What happens to my SSDI if I move out of Maryland?

Your SSDI benefits follow you — they are federal, not state-based. If you move, notify the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or updating your address in your my Social Security account. Your benefits continue without interruption.