Start Your process Through Social Security, Not the State

Social Security handles SSDI applications the same way everywhere in the country, including Maryland. You do not explore through a Maryland state office. Instead, you contact Social Security directly by phone, online, or in person at your local Social Security office. Maryland has 29 Social Security field offices across the state—you can find the one nearest you on the Social Security website by entering your zip code.

The process itself is called the process for Disability Insurance Benefits (Form SSA-16). You can start it online at ssa.gov without leaving home, complete it over the phone by calling Social Security's national number, or walk into a field office and fill it out there. Most people find the online route fastest because you can save your progress and return to it later.

Maryland does not speed up or slow down the process compared to other states. Social Security's processing time for SSDI in Maryland is the same as everywhere else: typically 3 to 6 months for an initial decision, though cases that go to appeal can take much longer.

Key Takeaways

  • explore directly to Social Security at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at one of Maryland's 29 local field offices—not through any Maryland state agency.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, medical records from your doctors, and a list of your work history for the past 15 years.
  • Social Security will contact your doctors directly to request medical evidence, so provide their names, addresses, and phone numbers on your process.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to file an appeal; most people hire a disability representative at this stage because the approval rate jumps significantly with representation.

What Documents You Need Before You Start

Gather these documents before you begin your process. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident (a passport, naturalization papers, or a green card). Social Security will ask for these right away.

You also need medical records and doctor contact information. Write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of every doctor, therapist, hospital, or clinic that has treated you for your condition in the past three years. Social Security will contact them directly to pull your records, so accuracy matters—if you list a doctor's number wrong, Social Security may not reach them and your case can stall.

Bring a list of your work history for the past 15 years, including the names of employers, dates you worked, and the type of work you did. If you are self-employed, gather tax returns or profit-and-loss statements. You do not need to have these documents perfect—Social Security can verify employment through other records—but having them ready speeds things up.

The Three Ways to explore in Maryland

Online at ssa.gov is the fastest route for most people. Go to ssa.gov, click "explore for Retirement, Family, and Disability Benefits," and select SSDI. You will create a my Social Security account if you do not have one. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes. You can save and come back to it, and you will get a confirmation number when you finish. Social Security will contact you within a few days to verify information and request medical records.

By phone, call Social Security's national number at 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a representative Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your documents ready. The call usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number and a list of what to send in next.

In person at a Maryland field office is an option if you prefer to hand over documents or need help filling out the form. Find your local office at ssa.gov by zip code. Call ahead to ask about wait times—some offices are busy and you may wait 1 to 2 hours. Bring all your documents with you. The representative will file your process on the spot and give you a receipt.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

Social Security will send you a letter within 7 to 10 days confirming that your process was received. This letter includes your case number—save it. You will use this number every time you contact Social Security about your claim.

Social Security will then contact the doctors and hospitals you listed to request your medical records. This step usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. If a provider is slow to respond, Social Security may contact you and ask you to request the records yourself and mail them in. You can speed this up by calling your doctors' offices directly and asking them to send records to Social Security right away.

A Social Security disability examiner will review your medical evidence and your work history. They are looking for proof that your condition prevents you from working and that it will last at least 12 months or result in death. If your case is straightforward and the medical evidence is clear, you may get a decision in 3 to 4 months. Complex cases or cases where records are hard to find can take 6 months or longer.

What to Do If Social Security Denies Your Claim

Social Security denies about 65 to 70 percent of initial SSDI applications. A denial does not mean you cannot get SSDI—it usually means Social Security needs more or better medical evidence, or believes your condition is not as severe as you described.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file an appeal. Do not miss this important date—if you do, you have to start over with a new process. The appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration. You can file it online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a Maryland field office using the same methods as your original process.

At the reconsideration stage, a different examiner will review your case. You can submit new medical evidence—for example, recent test results or a new letter from your doctor explaining why you cannot work. Many people find it helpful to hire a disability representative at this point. Representatives are lawyers or non-lawyer advocates trained in disability law. They charge a fee only if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when you became disabled). The approval rate jumps significantly when a representative is involved, so the fee often pays for itself.

Maryland-Specific Resources and Support

Maryland has a Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities (PAID) program that offers free legal help to people with disabilities. They can answer questions about SSDI and help you understand your rights. You can reach them through the Maryland Disability Law Center.

The Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services offers vocational rehabilitation and work incentive counseling. If you are working or thinking about returning to work while on SSDI, they can explain how work affects your benefits and help you plan a return to employment without losing coverage. This is separate from Social Security but can be useful once you are approved.

Your local Maryland field office can also connect you with a Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project. WIPA counselors are free and can explain how earnings, work expenses, and other factors affect your SSDI and Medicare benefits. This is especially useful if you are considering part-time work.

Common Mistakes That Slow Down Your process

The most common mistake is listing incomplete or wrong doctor information. If you write down a phone number with a digit missing or forget to include a specialist who treated you, Social Security may not reach that provider and your case stalls. Double-check every phone number and address before you submit.

Another mistake is not mentioning all your conditions. Social Security looks at the combined effect of all your medical conditions, not just one. If you have depression, back pain, and diabetes, list all three and explain how they affect your ability to work together. Many people focus only on the most obvious condition and leave out others that matter.

Waiting too long to explore is also costly. SSDI benefits do not go back further than 12 months before you explore. If you became disabled two years ago but did not explore until now, you lose one year of benefits. The sooner you explore, the sooner your benefits can start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for SSDI and SSI at the same time in Maryland?

Yes. SSDI is based on your work history; SSI is based on income and resources. You may be may be able to access for both. When you explore, tell Social Security you want to be considered for both programs. They will evaluate you for each one separately.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

You can still explore. Social Security accepts other documents like a passport, naturalization papers, or a state ID. If you do not have any of these, you can request a birth certificate from the Maryland Department of Health's Vital Statistics office. This can take a few weeks, so start early.

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

No. You can explore on your own. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal, hiring a disability representative significantly increases your chances of approval. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they charge a fee only if you win.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

Social Security usually makes a decision within 3 to 6 months. If your case is complex or medical records are slow to arrive, it can take longer. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to check on your case status using your case number.

What if I move out of Maryland after I explore?

Your process continues normally. Social Security is federal and does not care which state you live in. Update your address with Social Security so they can mail you decisions and notices. You can do this online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at any Social Security office.