Often referred to as “America in Miniature,” Maryland is a little state with a lot of history. In fact, Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem, while watching a battle in the Baltimore Harbor in 1814. And the Maryland State House is the oldest state capital still in legislative use. On a less historical note, most people associate this state with crabs. And Annapolis, home of the US Naval Academy, is also known as the “sailing capital of the world.” But what can Maryland residents do if they feel like they’re on a sinking ship owing to a disability? Well, there are two long-term programs that may provide residents with Maryland disability benefits. Read on to see if you may qualify.
What Maryland Disability Programs Are Available to Residents?
Currently 911,437 adults in Maryland have a disability. That’s equal to 1 in 5 adults, or 20% of the state’s population. But only a small portion of those individuals are likely getting any of the Maryland disability benefits available to them. Some of this stems from not understanding the different Maryland disability programs, as well as confusion about qualifying and applying.
However, Maryland spends $17 billion a year, or 35% of its annual healthcare budget, on disability claims. If you experience health issues that prevent you from working, you owe it to yourself to see if you qualify.
With that in mind, there are two primary long-term disability programs available in Maryland.
They are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The former looks mostly at prior work history, the latter at financial need. These are federal programs administered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). As a result, both SSDI and SSI also require applicants to meet the federal definition of disability.
How Do I Qualify for SSDI or SSI Benefits?
Disability Determination Services (DDS) — which is part of the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) — examines an applicant’s eligibility. Though Maryland disability programs are federally funded, DDS determines if you meet the criteria to qualify for benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the first program for which Maryland residents can apply. SSDI is specifically for adults aged 18-66 with long-term health issues that prevent them from working. These benefits are for disabled individuals who:
- Meet the SSA’s definition of disability and have severe functional limitations.
- Cannot work for 12 months or more owing to this condition.
- Have a qualifying work history where they paid Social Security taxes.
The SSA measures the work history requirement for SSDI eligibility in “work credits.” Typically, applicants must have worked about one-fourth of their adult lives and five of the last 10 years. That is the benchmark for accruing enough work credits from prior employment for “non-medical qualification.”
For those who don’t meet the non-medical requirements, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the other Maryland disability program available. It provides monthly cash benefits to children and adults who meet certain income and resource guidelines. Applicants must once again satisfy the definition of disability but there is no work history requirement.
The SSA will look to see if you qualify for SSDI and SSI simultaneously. That means you don’t have to fill out multiple applications for both programs. If you qualify for SSI disability in Maryland, the state will also automatically enroll you in Medicaid.
However, if you’d like to explore other supplemental benefits available to Maryland residents, you’ll have to apply for those separately. Programs such as SNAP (food stamps), transportation services, and energy/water assistance can also be a huge help to disabled individuals. The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) can assist with these claims.
How Much Are Maryland Disability Payments?
The maximum monthly payment a Maryland resident can get for a successful SSDI claim in 2026 is $4,152. On average, however, qualifying disabled workers get around $1,630 in benefits each month. Ultimately, the monthly payment amount reflects how much a person made while working prior to filing for disability.
Currently there are 117,202 Maryland residents receiving SSI monthly payments, most of whom are blind or disabled. The max benefit for SSI in 2026 is $994 per month, which is the federal benefit rate (FBR). An eligible couple can receive up to $1,491 monthly. Keep in mind these numbers are also the upper limit an individual can make and still receive benefits. And “countable income” is not just money from working. It also includes things like alimony, workers’ comp, and veterans’ benefits.
Calculating your personal countable income from all the various sources the government includes is a bit complicated. That is one of many reasons hiring a lawyer when applying for Maryland disability is such a smart move.
How Long Does It Take to Get Maryland Disability Benefits?
Getting disability benefits is a lengthy process. So, you should prepare yourself for the fact that qualifying is going to take a while. In Maryland, the current average case processing time is 424 days. That means you could be waiting over a year to even get your initial determination rolling. And if your first try fails, the wait time for a hearing with a judge is 12.5 months. Additionally, the SSA requires a five month wait before issuing any payments.
Basically, in some cases that means that an individual could be waiting more than two years to see any benefits. This is, unfortunately, longer than the national average.
And it is further reason to have an attorney help with your Maryland disability case. Especially since studies show that people with representation in disability hearings are three-times more likely to win their case.
The good news is that the wait may be worth it, since the state approves 45% of Maryland disability claims. So, while it may take longer than the national average to get benefits, the approval rate is ultimately higher.
In especially dire cases, the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) classification may allow you to receive a faster review. This is for people with severe disabilities — like certain brain disorders or cancers. A Social Security disability attorney can advise if you might qualify for this special status.
How Do I Apply for Disability in Maryland?
Applicants can apply for Maryland disability benefits one of three ways:
- Online through the portal at SSA.gov.
- By visiting a local Social Security office. However, this can take a while, so it’s best to call and make an appointment if you can.
- Through a Social Security lawyer for free, which boosts your approval chances significantly.
There are currently two locations in Maryland hearing disability cases, and these are both located in the Baltimore area.
As we said earlier, the DDS will also play a part in all Maryland disability claims. Their contact info is:
Maryland DDS
211 Schilling Circle
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: 410-308-4500
Toll-free: 800-492-4283
md.dd.timonium.dds@ssa.gov
Get Free Professional Help Qualifying for Maryland Disability Income
The final option for filing your application is hiring a lawyer to submit your claim for you. If your first instinct is that you can’t afford that, think again.
All disability attorneys in our network work on contingency. So, until you settle your claim, you pay nothing. And if you do win, you only pay one small fee taken from your back pay.
Considering how long the process takes in Maryland, it can literally pay to retain counsel. This is because you’re more likely to see benefits in your pocket with an expert helping navigate the system.
And to return to our earlier metaphor, every sinking ship needs a good captain to right the boat.
Want free help qualifying for Social Security disability? Click the button below now to start your free online evaluation and see if you may qualify:
Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation
Social Security Office Locations in Maryland
Maryland SSA field offices are open Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm ET. You should call and make an appointment instead of showing up without one to apply for Maryland disability benefits:
Abingdon Social Security Office
3435A Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
Abingdon, MD 21009
Phone: (877) 701-2142
Fax: (833) 371-0602
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Annapolis Social Security Office
185 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 114
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (888) 840-0684
Fax: (833) 597-0151
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Baltimore Downtown Social Security Office
1010 Park Avenue, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (866) 931-9942
Fax: (833) 597-0140
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Baltimore Northeast Social Security Office
2401 Belair Road, Suite 106
Baltimore, MD 21213
Phone: (866) 336-9653
Fax: (833) 341-2708
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Baltimore Rossville Social Security Office
5235 King Avenue, Suite 312
Baltimore, MD 21237
Phone: (866) 348-5818
Fax: (833) 461-0032
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Baltimore Wabash Social Security Office
6100A Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (866) 708-3210
Fax: (833) 597-0138
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Baltimore West Social Security Office
1531 S. Edgewood Street, Suite S
Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone: (877) 870-6381
Fax: (833) 371-0600
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Cambridge Social Security Office
309 Sunburst Highway, Suite 9
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (888) 347-9277
Fax: (833) 371-0604
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Charlotte Hall Social Security Office
30071 Business Center Drive
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Phone: (888) 866-5181
Fax: (833) 912-2296
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Columbia Social Security Office
8865 Stanford Boulevard
Lakeside Building, Ste 110
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: (877) 445-0504
Fax: (833) 371-0608
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Cumberland Social Security Office
217 Glenn Street, Suite 100
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (866) 964-7409
Fax: (833) 597-0147
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Elkton Social Security Office
300 Big Elk Mall
Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: (866) 331-2218
Fax: (833) 371-0606
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Frederick Social Security Office
5340 Spectrum Drive, Suite N
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: (866) 331-7089
Fax: (833) 912-2294
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Glen Burnie Social Security Office
337 Hospital Drive, Suite 1A
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (866) 528-9873
Fax: (833) 597-0157
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Hagerstown Social Security Office
1710 Underpass Way, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (866) 331-7125
Fax: (833) 597-0149
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Owings Mills Social Security Office
5 Park Center Court, Suite 100
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Phone: (866) 681-1412
Fax: (833) 597-0136
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Rockville Social Security Office
315 N. Washington Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (866) 838-5341
Fax: (833) 341-2702
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Salisbury Social Security Office
2414 Northgate Drive, Suite 1
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (866) 273-5083
Fax: (833) 597-0145
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Seabrook Social Security Office
7401 Forbes Boulevard, Suite C
Seabrook, MD 20706
Phone: (866) 338-4115
Fax: (833) 341-2706
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Silver Spring Social Security Office
10230 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite 304
Silver Spring, MD 20903
Phone: (877) 512-3848
Fax: (833) 597-0155
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Suitland Social Security Office (Camp Springs)
6110 Allentown Road
Suitland, MD 20746
Phone: (877) 512-3849
Fax: (833) 912-2292
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Towson Social Security Office
1220 E. Joppa Road
Building B, Suite 320
Towson, MD 21286
Phone: (866) 614-4758
Fax: (833) 597-0153
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Westminster Social Security Office
125 Airport Drive, Unit 10
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (877) 694-5496
Fax: (833) 341-2704
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Fact Checking: The SSA field office addresses shown here were verified by contacting the Social Security Administration directly. We also personally called every phone number listed here to confirm they were accurate on January 14, 2026.
Pro Tip: If you're applying for Maryland disability payments in person, plan to spend 4-5 hours in the office during your appointment.
Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a multi-published NYC-based magazine and book writer whose work has appeared in a wide variety of publications ranging from Forbes to Cosmopolitan. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland, College of Journalism. For more, visit: www.KDNeumann.com or Instagram @dancerscribe.
