Maryland and Social Security Disability Benefits
- Why is State-by-State Information Important?
- Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Maryland – What You Need To Know
- Maryland SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
- Hearing Offices in Maryland & The SSA Offices They Serve
- List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Maryland
- More Important Information about The Application Process
ALL STATE DATA UPDATED FOR 2024
Everyone’s experience applying for Social Security Disability benefits will be unique. Part of this is because everyone’s individual medical and work history is different. But, potential applicants should also know that each state – like Maryland – has its own story to tell in terms of social security disability benefit approval rates at each stage of the process, as well as waiting times at the hearing stage.
Why is State-by-State Information Important?
Specialized disability advocates (like us here at Citizens Disability) and Maryland social security disability attorneys know all too well how important it is to understand that every state is different. It’s very helpful to know what the trends are, how long the wait times are from office to office, and what the different rates of approvals are.
Citizens Disability takes a data-driven approach to helping our clients. We want to make sure that we’re giving our clients the best possible advice at every step in the application process. We also work very hard to present the best possible case for each of our clients. Bringing together data from a wide variety of sources – including data like this, which comes from the Social Security Administration – allows us to make smart decisions when we present cases for our clients.
Finally, this information can be very helpful to applicants. Applying for social security benefits is likely a new experience for most applicants, and having an idea of what they can expect from the process can help them be engaged and involved participants with their advocates.
While your own journey may be different than the trends you see here, these tables and charts can help you understand what, on average, you can expect.
You will also find location and contact information for all the offices in Maryland below.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Maryland – What You Need To Know
There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how Maryland compares to the national average (all states in America) when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.
| Initial Application (L1) | Reconsideration (L2) | Hearing (L3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 42.4% | 14.9% | 62.1% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 15.1% | 57.7% |
| State Difference: | 2.9% | -0.2% | 4.4% |
As the table shows, Maryland is slightly above the national average at the Initial and Hearing levels.
Maryland Initial Application Approval Over Time
| Initial Application Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 42.4% | 44.9% | 45.2% | 37.4% | 37.8% | 33.7% | 33.2% | 32.3% | 34.9% | 32.6% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 38.9% | 38.8% | 37.7% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 35.3% | 34.4% | 33.5% | 32.8% |
As the table and the below chart show, Maryland has been above and below the national average of Initial Applications going back to at least 2015. In 2024, Maryland ranked 19th in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. While approval rates have remained fairly constant in Maryland over the last few years, they still are slightly below the national average. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don’t worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
Maryland Reconsideration Approval Over Time
| Reconsideration Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 14.9% | 21.8% | 18.5% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 19.4% | 14.8% | 13.9% | 14.7% | 14.5% |
| National Average | 15.1% | 15.5% | 15.0% | 13.2% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.4% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.7% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Maryland has been consistently above the national average when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level besides this year. In 2024, Maryland ranked 29th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Reconsideration. However, as you can see, in general, the chances of winning approval at Reconsideration are not particularly high. That is why many applicants must continue in the next level, the Hearing.
Maryland Hearings Approval Over Time
| Hearing Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 62.1% | 58.7% | 58.3% | 58.7% | 57.1% | 60.5% | 59.2% | 61.4% | 58.7% | 55.9% |
| National Average | 57.7% | 56.8% | 54.2% | 54.7% | 51.1% | 52.9% | 53.9% | 56.8% | 54.7% | 53.4% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Maryland has been slightly ahead of the national average when it comes to approvals at the Hearing level. In 2024, Maryland ranked 10th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Hearings.
However, as you’ll see below, all individual hearing offices in Maryland are not the same – each office has its own approval rates, and almost as importantly, waiting times. Which hearing office your case is assigned to in Maryland may have a significant bearing on your chances for approval.
Also worthy of note is the fact that past performance is only one indicator of likely outcomes; as new data comes in, you might see that a state’s performance compared to the national average has either improved or weakened.
Maryland SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
Maryland is part of the Social Security Administration’s “Region 3,” which is headquartered in Philadelphia. There are 2 hearing offices in Maryland. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Maryland and National Averages.
The “Hearing Wait Time (Months)” is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.
The “Average Disposition Time (Days)” is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.
The “Average Approval Rate” is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.
| Hearing Wait Time (Months) | Average Disposition Time (Days) | Average Approval Rate (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | 9.3 | 366 | 57.7% |
| Maryland Average | 15.1 | 546 | 62.1% |
| BALTIMORE | 13.0 | 546 | 71.1% |
| BALTIMORE NHC | 17.3 | #N/A | 53.6% |
As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2024, the average wait time is slightly longer than the national average. This is due to the Baltimore NHC offices’ wait time being higher at 17.3 months. The average approval rate for Maryland is slightly higher than the average approval rate.
These waiting times and approval rates only highlight how important it can be to have a qualified representative – such as an Advocate from Citizens Disability – working on your case. The Government Accountability Office has done research that shows that an applicant who has a representative has an up to three times greater chance of being approved than a person who goes it alone.
Hearing Offices in Maryland & The SSA Offices They Serve
These are the “Office of Hearing Operations” offices in Maryland. These offices are where hearings are scheduled and generally conducted. Each OHO office supports a number of regional Social Security Administration field offices. You are likely (but not guaranteed) to have your hearing scheduled with a Judge who works in the OHO office that supports the SSA field office nearest to you.
Hearing Office Region 3 Baltimore SSA, OHO
The Symphony Center, Room 300
1010 Park Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21201-5600
(866) 613-3960 • (410) 962-6999 • (877) 548-8804
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MARYLAND: Abingdon, Annapolis, Baltimore (Downtown), Baltimore (Glen Burnie), Baltimore (Northeast), Baltimore (Rossville), Baltimore (Wabash), Baltimore (West), Columbia, Elkton, Frederick, Hagerstown, Owings Mills, Towson, Westminster, Winchester
Hearing Office Region 3 Baltimore NCAC (National Case Assistance Centers) SSA, OHO
Woodlawn Office Complex Building 1718 Woodlawn Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
(410) 965-0134 • (410) 966-9953 • (877) 871-1880
Hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
NCACs are not open to the public.
NCAC Region 3 SSA, OHO
NHC Suite 450 849 Fairmount Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21286
(877) 711-5019 • (877) 718-5719 • (877) 310-3637
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
NHCs are not open to the public.
NHC Region 3 Baltimore Satellite Office of Baltimore NHC SSA, OHO
NHC-SO Suite 1311 1718 Woodlawn Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21207
(410) 965-8795 • (410) 965-8977 • (877) 310-3637
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
NHCs are not open to the public.
List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Maryland
| Office Name | Location | Address | City | State | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALTO NE MD | STE 106 | 2401 BELAIR RD | BALTIMORE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| BALTO WEST MD | SUITE S | 1531 S EDGEWOOD STREET | BALTIMORE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| ABINGDON MD | 3435A BOX HILL | CORPORATE CENTER DR | ABINGDON | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| CAMBRIDGE MD | SUITE 500 | 828 AIRPAX ROAD | CAMBRIDGE | MD | (888) 347-9277 |
| ELKTON MD | SUITE A | 101 CHESAPEAKE BLVD | ELKTON | MD | (866) 331-2218 |
| COLUMBIA MD | LAKESIDE BLDG, STE 110 | 8865 STANFORD BLVD | COLUMBIA | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| BALTO ROSSVILLE MD | SUITE 100 | 6820 HOSPITAL DR | BALTIMORE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| OWINGS MILLS MD | SUITE 100 | 5 PARK CENTER COURT | OWINGS MILLS | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| BALTIMORE WABASH MD | BALTIMORE WABASH | 6100A WABASH AVENUE | BALTIMORE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| BALTIMORE DTN MD | SUITE 200 | 1010 PARK AVE | BALTIMORE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| SALISBURY MD | SUITE 1 | 2414 NORTHGATE DR | SALISBURY | MD | (866) 273-5083 |
| CUMBERLAND MD | SUITE 100 | 217 GLENN ST | CUMBERLAND | MD | (866) 964-7409 |
| HAGERSTOWN MD | SUITE 100 | 1710 UNDERPASS WAY | HAGERSTOWN | MD | (866) 331-7125 |
| ANNAPOLIS MD | SUITE 114 | 185 HARRY S TRUMAN PARKWAY | ANNAPOLIS | MD | (888) 840-0684 |
| TOWSON MD | 4TH FLOOR | 28 ALLEGHENY AVENUE | TOWSON | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| SILVER SPRING MD | SUITE 304 | 10230 NEW HAMPSHIRE AV | SILVER SPRING | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| GLEN BURNIE MD | SUITE 1A | 337 HOSPITAL DR | GLEN BURNIE | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| CAMP SPRINGS MD | 6110 ALLENTOWN ROAD | SUITLAND | MD | (800) 772-1213 | |
| FREDERICK MD | SUITE N | 5340 SPECTRUM DRIVE | FREDERICK | MD | (866) 331-7089 |
| CHARLOTTE HALL MD | 30071 BUSINESS CTR DR | CHARLOTTE HALL | MD | (800) 772-1213 | |
| ROCKVILLE MD | 315 N WASHINGTON ST | ROCKVILLE | MD | (800) 772-1213 | |
| WESTMINSTER MD | UNIT 10 | 125 AIRPORT DR | WESTMINSTER | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
| GREENBELT MD | 7401 FORBES BLVD | SUITE C | SEABROOK | MD | (800) 772-1213 |
Swipe left & right to see the whole table
All data on this page is current as of July, 2024.
More Important Information about The Application Process
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