Comprehensive SSDI Appeal Guide: Maryland, Maryland

Introduction: Why SSDI Appeals Matter to Maryland Residents

Roughly 60% of initial Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications are denied nationwide, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Maryland residents are no exception. Whether you live in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Hagerstown, or anywhere in the Free State, understanding the procedural steps and legal protections available after an SSDI denial is critical. Failing to act within strict federal deadlines can cost you monthly benefits and retroactive payments you may desperately need for medical treatment, housing, and day-to-day expenses. This guide explains, step by step, how claimants in Maryland can protect their rights, comply with federal regulations, and maximize the likelihood of receiving the disability benefits they deserve.

Local Snapshot

• SSA Field Offices: Maryland hosts more than a dozen field offices, including the Baltimore Downtown office (1010 Park Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201) and the Rockville office (315 N Washington St, Rockville, MD 20850).

• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing Office: The SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) in Baltimore (1010 Park Avenue, Suite 400) handles most appeals for central Maryland, while the National Capital Region OHO in Washington, D.C., often hears cases from counties bordering the District.

• Allowance Rate: The most recent SSA data show that Maryland’s ALJ approval rate hovers around 52%, slightly above the national average—making a well-prepared appeal especially important.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

The Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), guarantees every claimant the right to a multi-level administrative review of an adverse SSDI decision and, if necessary, judicial review in federal district court. Key regulations governing that process include 20 C.F.R. § 404.900 (outlining the four administrative steps) and 20 C.F.R. § 404.909 (setting the 60-day deadline to request reconsideration). Claimants also enjoy due-process protections under the Fifth Amendment, meaning the SSA must base its decision on substantial evidence and provide a reasoned explanation for any denial.

Maryland attorneys handling disability claims are subject to both federal rules (20 C.F.R. § 404.1705) and state licensing requirements administered by the Maryland Court of Appeals. Only lawyers admitted to the Maryland Bar, or representatives otherwise qualified under SSA rules, may charge a fee for assisting you, and all fees must be approved by the SSA under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1720.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

Understanding why claims get denied helps you shore up weaknesses before you appeal. The SSA most frequently cites the following reasons for rejecting Maryland applicants:

• Insufficient Medical Evidence. Treating physicians may not have provided longitudinal records or objective tests supporting the severity of your impairment.

• Earnings Above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2024, earning more than $1,550 per month (non-blind) generally disqualifies an applicant. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1574.

• Non-Compliance With Treatment. Failure to follow prescribed therapy without good cause can undermine credibility and result in denial under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1530.

• Duration Requirement Not Met. The impairment must last, or be expected to last, at least 12 consecutive months or result in death. Shorter-term conditions are ineligible.

• Administrative Errors. Misfiled medical records or missing vocational questionnaires are frequent and correctable mistakes.

Because Maryland’s health-care network is anchored by major institutions such as Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center, obtaining well-documented records is often feasible—if you know how to request and present them effectively.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations You Should Know

Key Statutes and Regulations

• Social Security Act §§ 201, 223, 205(g): Establishes SSDI, defines disability, and provides for judicial review.

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520: Five-step sequential evaluation process the SSA uses to decide disability.

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.970: Sets the standard for Appeals Council review.

60-Day Appeal Window

Whether you are requesting reconsideration, a hearing before an ALJ, Appeals Council review, or filing in U.S. District Court, you generally have 60 days from the date you receive the prior decision (plus five mailing days) to act. Missing these deadlines almost always requires you to restart the entire application unless you show “good cause,” a narrowly construed exception under 20 C.F.R. § 404.911.

Evidence Rules

You may submit new and material evidence at each stage, but the Appeals Council will consider only evidence that is “new, material, and relates to the period on or before the date of the hearing decision,” per 20 C.F.R. § 404.970(b). Strategically collecting additional medical opinions from Maryland specialists—orthopedists at Mercy Medical Center or psychiatrists at Sheppard Pratt, for example—can thus be decisive.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Notice of Disapproved Claim Carefully

The SSA denial letter (Form SSA-4268) contains a “technical rationale,” often citing specific listings, vocational rules, or missing evidence. Match each stated deficiency to relevant medical or vocational documentation.

2. Request Reconsideration (Level 1)

Deadline: 60 days. File online through SSA’s appeal portal or submit SSA-561, SSA-3441, and SSA-827 to your local field office. In Maryland, the most frequently used office codes include 231 (Baltimore) and 238 (Rockville). A different Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner will review your file.

3. Request an ALJ Hearing (Level 2)

If reconsideration is denied, you have another 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Hearings in Maryland may be held at:

• Baltimore OHO: 1010 Park Ave, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21201

• National Capital Region OHO (for Prince George’s & Montgomery Counties): 500 N Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001

• Video Hearings: If travel is burdensome, you may appear from a closer field office such as Cumberland or Salisbury.

Prepare by submitting updated medical evidence at least five business days before the hearing per 20 C.F.R. § 404.935. Expert testimony from a vocational expert (VE) and possibly a medical expert will be taken under oath.

4. Appeals Council Review (Level 3)

The Appeals Council, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, reviews whether the ALJ erred in applying law or if findings lack substantial evidence. Roughly 20% of Maryland appellants receive a favorable remand or reversal, according to SSA Annual Reports.

5. Federal Court (Level 4)

Final administrative denials can be appealed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Northern Division in Baltimore or Southern Division in Greenbelt). You must file a civil action within 60 days under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Court review is limited to the administrative record, although remand for additional evidence is possible under sentence six of § 405(g).

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Although claimants may represent themselves, data from SSA’s Office of the Inspector General show that represented claimants are almost three times more likely to secure benefits at the ALJ level. Here is when professional help from a Maryland disability attorney is most valuable:

• Complex Medical Profiles. Multiple impairments (e.g., fibromyalgia + major depressive disorder) raise complicated Listing and residual functional capacity (RFC) issues.

• Vocational Disputes. Challenging VE testimony about transferable skills often requires legal cross-examination.

• Past Relevant Work Under Dispute. If the SSA misclassifies your prior employment, experienced counsel can supply corrected Dictionary of Occupational Titles codes.

• Mental Health Claims. These frequently hinge on nuanced "paragraph B" and "paragraph C" criteria in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.

Federal law caps contingency fees at 25% of past-due benefits, not to exceed $7,200 without special petition (20 C.F.R. § 404.1730). No fee is owed unless you win.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Maryland Disability Determination Services (DDS)

All medical decisions on SSDI claims begin at Maryland DDS, 16th Floor, 110 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Telephone: (800) 492-4283.

Community Health Providers

• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Provides comprehensive specialty care and can supply detailed RFC evaluations.

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Particularly useful for cardiology and oncology records.

• Sheppard Pratt: One of the nation’s top psychiatric hospitals—critical for mental-impairment evidence.

Legal Aid

Disability Rights Maryland – Statewide advocacy for low-income claimants. Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center – Referral for free or reduced-fee counsel. Social Security Administration Official Site – Forms, deadlines, and online services.

Conclusion

SSDI appeals are governed by unforgiving deadlines, complex regulations, and evidentiary burdens. Yet Maryland claimants who act promptly, gather persuasive medical documentation, and leverage experienced legal help dramatically improve their chances of overturning an initial denial. The resources and steps outlined in this guide focus on protecting your rights and ensuring the SSA fully considers the impact of your impairments on your ability to work.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Maryland attorney.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.