What Maryland offers people with disabilities

Maryland runs several programs that provide cash payments, medical coverage, and support services to people with disabilities. The largest is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a federal program but administered through Maryland's Social Services office. Maryland also runs its own programs: Maryland Disability Insurance (MDI) for workers who paid into the system, Medicaid for health coverage, and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that pay for in-home support instead of institutional care.

Which program you can use depends on your work history, your current income and assets, and what kind of support you need. Some people use more than one at the same time. The programs work differently—some are based on what you earned before, others on what you need now—so understanding which one fits your situation matters before you contact anyone.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland has both federal programs (SSI, Social Security Disability Insurance) and state-run programs (MDI, HCBS waivers) for people with disabilities.
  • SSI is for people with very low income and assets; MDI is for workers who paid into Maryland's insurance fund; SSDI is for workers who paid federal Social Security taxes.
  • Medicaid in Maryland covers medical care for people with disabilities and is often tied to SSI or other cash programs.
  • HCBS waivers pay for services like personal care, transportation, and meal preparation so people can stay in their homes instead of moving to facilities.
  • You explore for each program separately, usually through your local Department of Social Services office or online through the state portal.

SSI and federal disability programs in Maryland

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays cash to people with disabilities who have very low income and few assets. In Maryland, you explore through your local Department of Social Services office or online at the Social Security Administration website. SSI pays a federal amount each month (which varies by year and household size) plus a Maryland state supplement, so the total is higher in Maryland than in many other states.

To get SSI, you must have a disability that Social Security recognizes, own less than $2,000 in countable assets (some things like your home and car do not count), and have very limited monthly income. If you worked and paid Social Security taxes, you may instead be on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your work record rather than your income level. SSDI is also federal and you explore through Social Security, but Maryland's Department of Social Services can help you understand the difference and point you toward the right process.

Both SSI and SSDI come with automatic Medicaid coverage in Maryland, so when you are approved for either program, your health coverage starts at the same time. The waiting period from process to approval typically takes three to six months, though it can be longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence.

Maryland Disability Insurance (MDI) for workers

Maryland Disability Insurance (MDI) is a state program that pays cash benefits to workers who became disabled and paid into Maryland's insurance fund through payroll deductions. Unlike SSI, MDI does not have an income or asset limit—if you worked and paid in, you can receive MDI even if you have other income or savings. The monthly payment is based on your average earnings while you were working, not on how much you need now.

You explore for MDI through the Maryland Department of Labor's Disability Insurance Administration. You will need proof of your disability (medical records and a doctor's statement), your Social Security number, and documentation of your work history in Maryland. The state must verify that you paid into the fund and that your disability prevents you from working.

MDI is separate from federal SSDI, though some people receive both. If you worked in Maryland and also paid federal Social Security taxes, you may be on SSDI instead of or in addition to MDI. The Department of Labor can tell you whether you have an MDI account and what your potential benefit would be.

Medicaid and health coverage for people with disabilities

Maryland's Medicaid program covers medical care—doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health services—for people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits. If you are on SSI or MDI, you automatically get Medicaid. If you are on SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicaid after 24 months of receiving SSDI payments.

You can also explore for Medicaid on its own if you do not may have access to for cash programs but still need health coverage. Maryland has expanded Medicaid, so the income limits are higher than in many states. You explore through the Maryland Health Care Access and Quality Office or through the state's online benefits portal.

Medicaid in Maryland covers preventive care, emergency services, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, and long-term care services. The coverage is the same whether you are on SSI, SSDI, or MDI—the difference is how you became may be able to access for it.

Home and Community-Based Services waivers

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers are programs that pay for support services so people with disabilities can live at home or in the community instead of in a nursing home or facility. Services include personal care information (help with bathing, dressing, toileting), transportation, meal preparation, housekeeping, and day programs. Maryland runs several different waivers for different groups—one for people with developmental disabilities, one for people with physical disabilities, one for older adults.

To use an HCBS waiver, you must meet the disability requirements for that specific waiver and have income and assets below the Medicaid limit. Most waivers have waiting lists because demand is higher than available funding. When you explore, you go on the list, and the state contacts you when a slot opens. Some waivers prioritize people in crisis or at risk of moving to a facility.

You explore for HCBS waivers through your local Department of Social Services office. The office will assess what services you need and help you understand which waiver fits your situation. Once you are on a waiver, a care coordinator works with you to arrange the services and make sure they are meeting your needs.

How to start: where to contact in Maryland

The first step is to contact your local Department of Social Services office. You can find the office for your county on the Maryland Department of Human Services website. You can call, visit in person, or explore online through the state's benefits portal (called the Online Services Center). When you call or visit, tell them what kind of support you are looking for—cash payments, health coverage, in-home services—and they will tell you which programs you might use.

If you are explore for federal programs (SSI or SSDI), you can also explore directly through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will work with Maryland's Department of Social Services to process your process. If you are explore for MDI, you contact the Department of Labor's Disability Insurance Administration directly.

Bring or have ready: your Social Security number, proof of your disability (medical records, doctor's letter), proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements), proof of assets (bank account statements, property deeds), and your work history if you are explore for a work-based program. The office will tell you exactly what documents they need for your specific situation.

What happens after you explore

After you explore, the program will send you a notice saying they received your process and what they need from you next. If they need more medical information, they will ask your doctor for it directly—you do not have to get it yourself, though you can speed things up by asking your doctor to send records right away. The program will also verify your income, assets, and work history.

You will get a decision letter in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will say when your payments start and what your monthly amount is. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal. You have the right to appeal any decision, and many people are approved on appeal after providing more information or getting updated medical evidence.

Once you are approved, you must report changes to the program—if your income changes, if you move, if your medical condition improves, if you start working. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you will have to repay. Your local office can tell you what changes you need to report and how to report them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get both SSI and MDI at the same time?

No. If you are on SSI, you cannot also receive MDI. However, you can receive both SSDI (federal) and MDI (state) if you meet the requirements for both. Your local Department of Social Services can help you figure out which programs you may have access to for and which one pays more.

What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

SSI is based on your current income and assets—you must have very little money to may have access to. SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you paid—there is no income limit. Both are federal programs, but they work differently and have different monthly payment amounts.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most programs take three to six months from process to approval. HCBS waivers can take much longer because of waiting lists. If you are denied, the appeal process adds another two to four months. You can ask your local office for an estimate based on how busy they are.

Do I lose my benefits if I start working?

Not automatically. SSI and SSDI both have work incentives that let you earn some money without losing all your benefits. You report your work income, and the program reduces your payment gradually rather than cutting you off. MDI has different rules—ask your Department of Labor contact about work incentives for that program.

What if I disagree with the decision?

You have the right to appeal. The decision letter will tell you how to appeal and the important date (usually 60 days). You can appeal on your own or ask a legal aid organization or disability advocate to help you. Many appeals are approved, especially if you have new medical evidence or can explain why the program's decision was wrong.