How to Appeal an SSDI Denial in Maryland

Receiving a denial letter from the Social Security Administration can feel devastating, especially when you are unable to work due to a serious medical condition. The reality is that the majority of initial SSDI applications are denied — often for technical reasons rather than because the applicant is ineligible. Maryland residents have the right to appeal, and statistics consistently show that claimants who pursue the appeals process significantly improve their chances of receiving benefits. Understanding each step of that process puts you in the strongest possible position.

The Four Levels of SSDI Appeal in Maryland

The Social Security Administration provides four formal stages of appeal, each with its own deadlines and procedures. Missing a deadline typically means starting over from the beginning, which can cost you months of back pay and delay the benefits you are owed.

• Reconsideration: A different SSA examiner reviews your file from scratch. You must file within 60 days of receiving your denial notice, plus a 5-day mail allowance.
• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing: If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. This is where the majority of successful SSDI appeals are won.
• Appeals Council Review: If the ALJ rules against you, you may request review by the SSA's Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia.
• Federal Court: The final option is filing a civil action in the U.S. District Court for your Maryland district — either the District of Maryland in Baltimore or Greenbelt.

Each level requires a separate request form and strict adherence to the 60-day filing window. Do not wait until the last moment. Gathering updated medical evidence takes time, and rushing submissions often leads to incomplete records that hurt your case.

Why Maryland SSDI Claims Are Denied

Understanding the reason for your denial is essential before building an appeal strategy. The SSA issues denial notices that explain the basis for the decision, and Maryland claimants commonly encounter these categories:

• Insufficient medical evidence: The SSA could not establish the severity or duration of your condition based on the records provided.
• Failure to meet the durational requirement: Your condition is not expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death.
• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Your income exceeded the monthly SGA threshold ($1,620 in 2024 for non-blind individuals).
• Non-compliance with treatment: You did not follow prescribed medical treatment without a valid reason.
• Insufficient work credits: You have not accumulated enough Social Security work credits based on your employment history.

Read your denial letter carefully. The specific language used by the SSA tells you exactly which part of the evaluation — known as the five-step sequential evaluation — broke down for your claim. That is where your appeal must focus.

Strengthening Your Appeal with Medical Evidence

The ALJ hearing stage offers the most significant opportunity to win your case, and medical documentation is the cornerstone of a successful appeal. Maryland has a network of major medical institutions — Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health — and obtaining thorough records from treating specialists at these facilities carries substantial weight with administrative law judges.

When preparing your appeal, prioritize the following:

• Treating physician support letters: A detailed opinion from your doctor explaining your functional limitations — how far you can walk, how long you can sit, your ability to concentrate — is often the single most valuable piece of evidence in an SSDI appeal.
• Consistent treatment history: Gaps in treatment are frequently used to argue that your condition is not as severe as claimed. If you have gaps due to cost or lack of insurance, document those reasons.
• Mental health records: Conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are legitimate SSDI impairments. If mental health conditions affect your ability to work, ensure those records are included.
• Function reports and daily activity logs: Written accounts of how your condition affects your daily life provide context that medical records alone cannot always convey.

Request all records at least 60 days before your hearing date. Administrative law judges assigned to Maryland cases typically work through the SSA's Hearing Office in Baltimore or Rockville, and hearings are scheduled months in advance. Use that time productively.

What to Expect at the ALJ Hearing

An ALJ hearing is not a courtroom trial in the traditional sense. It is a formal administrative proceeding, usually held in a small conference room, and typically lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. In Maryland, many hearings are now conducted by video, though you have the right to request an in-person appearance.

The judge will ask questions about your medical history, work background, and daily limitations. A vocational expert is often present to testify about whether jobs exist in the national economy that someone with your limitations could perform. This testimony is critical — your attorney or representative can cross-examine the vocational expert and challenge assumptions built into their testimony.

Preparation is everything. Reviewing your file before the hearing, understanding what the vocational expert is likely to say, and being ready to clearly explain your worst days — not your average days — can make the difference between approval and another denial.

The Value of Legal Representation in Maryland Appeals

SSDI claimants who are represented by an attorney or qualified advocate at the ALJ hearing stage win their cases at substantially higher rates than those who appear without representation. SSDI attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless you win, and the fee is capped by federal law at 25% of your back pay, not to exceed $7,200.

An experienced SSDI attorney in Maryland will review your denial notice, identify the weaknesses in your prior submission, gather updated medical evidence, prepare you for hearing testimony, and cross-examine the vocational expert. These are not tasks that most claimants can effectively handle while managing a serious disability. The appeals process has procedural rules and evidentiary standards that matter — and knowing how to work within them is what representation provides.

If you are approaching any deadline in your appeals process, do not delay. Missing the 60-day window means losing the right to appeal at that level and forces you to begin a new application — potentially forfeiting months or years of back pay you had already accrued.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

Related Articles

• Preparing for Your SSDI Hearing in Maryland
• SSDI Benefits for Fibromyalgia in Montana
• Not Enough Work Credits for SSDI in Oklahoma