SSDI Denial Appeals Guide – Maryland, MD

Introduction: Why This Guide Matters to Maryland Claimants

Every year thousands of Maryland residents apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) only to receive a denial letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to the most recent SSA workload data, fewer than 35 percent of initial claims nationwide are approved. Marylanders fare no better—state DDS statistics released through the SSA’s Open Data portal show that roughly two-thirds of applications processed by Maryland Disability Determination Services (DDS) in Baltimore are denied at the initial level. The result is months—sometimes years—without the income replacement you earned through FICA payroll contributions. This guide explains, in plain English, how Maryland claimants can move from denial to approval while leveraging their rights under the Social Security Act. We cite controlling federal regulations, provide Maryland-specific resources, and offer practical tips slightly favoring the claimant—because if you have a legitimate disability, you deserve every legal advantage.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights in Maryland

What Makes You Eligible for SSDI?

• Insured Status: You must have earned the required work credits (20/40 rule in most cases, 20 CFR §404.130).

• Severe Impairment: Your medically determinable impairment must last—or be expected to last—at least 12 continuous months or result in death (20 CFR §404.1509).

Inability to Perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): The 2024 SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind claimants (SSA SGA Chart).

• Five-Month Waiting Period: Benefits start only after you have been disabled for five full calendar months (Social Security Act §223(d)(1)(E)).

Maryland’s Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Maryland’s DDS, located at 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, makes the initial medical decision on every SSDI claim filed at a Maryland field office. DDS examiners rely on the SSA’s Blue Book (20 CFR §404, Subpart P, Appendix 1) and physician consultants to decide whether your impairment meets or equals a listed condition.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

• Medical Insufficiency – Missing objective evidence (e.g., MRI, nerve conduction studies) prevents DDS from confirming severity.

• Earnings Above SGA – Continuing part-time work over SGA levels triggers an automatic technical denial.

• Non-Compliance With Treatment – Failure to follow prescribed therapy (20 CFR §404.1530) without good cause undermines credibility.

• Short Duration – Conditions expected to improve in under a year are excluded by law.

• Paperwork Errors – Missed SSA deadlines, incomplete Function Reports (Form SSA-3373), or unexplained gaps in medical history.

The good news: most of these issues can be cured on appeal by supplementing the record with additional evidence or testimony.

Federal Legal Protections & Key Regulations

• 20 CFR §404.900–404.999d – Establishes the four-step administrative review process: Reconsideration, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, Appeals Council, and federal district court.

• 20 CFR §404.1520 – Sets forth the five-step sequential evaluation used at every adjudicative level.

• Social Security Act §205(g) – Grants the right to file a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland within 60 days of an Appeals Council denial.

• Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) – Allows successful federal court litigants to recover attorney fees from the government.

Statute of Limitations for Appeals

You have 60 days from the date you receive a denial (SSA presumes five days after the date on the letter) to request the next appeal step (20 CFR §404.909 & §404.933). Missing this deadline usually forces you to start a brand-new application, losing months—or years—of back benefits.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Request Reconsideration (Maryland DDS)

File SSA-561 “Request for Reconsideration” online or at any Maryland field office, such as:

• Baltimore Downtown Office – 1010 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201

• Silver Spring Office – 10230 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20903

• Towson Office – 28 Allegheny Ave., Towson, MD 21204

Add updated medical records, new treating-source statements, and vocational evidence (e.g., employer accommodations).

2. Request an ALJ Hearing

If Reconsideration is denied, file Form HA-501. Maryland hearings are held at:

Baltimore Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) 31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 100, Baltimore, MD 21201

• National Capital (Alexandria) OHO – Often used for claimants in southern Maryland counties.

Secure written opinions from treating physicians complying with 20 CFR §404.1527(c) (medical opinion factors) and prepare testimony about daily limitations.

3. Appeals Council Review

The Appeals Council in Falls Church, VA, reviews legal errors, procedural flaws, or new material evidence (20 CFR §404.970).

4. Federal District Court

File a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore or Greenbelt divisions). The record is limited to what was before the Commissioner unless “sentence six” remand criteria are met.

When to Seek Legal Help

Maryland attorney licensing rules require lawyers to be admitted to the Maryland State Bar and, for federal litigation, to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. SSDI representatives may also be eligible non-attorneys certified under SSA’s direct-pay program. Hiring counsel early can:

• Ensure no deadlines are missed.

• Develop persuasive medical opinion evidence following SSR 96-2p (controlling weight of treating source).

• Cross-examine vocational experts using local labor-market data (e.g., Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area occupational outlook).

Fee arrangements are contingency-based and capped at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less, per 42 U.S.C. §406(a)(2)(A).

Local Resources & Next Steps

Medical Providers Familiar with SSDI Documentation

• Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans St., Baltimore, MD – Comprehensive specialty clinics.

• University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 S. Greene St., Baltimore, MD – Neurology & Orthopedics.

• Sinai Hospital, 2401 W. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Community Assistance

Disability Rights Maryland – Free legal advocacy for low-income residents. Maryland Legal Aid – Offers limited SSDI appeal representation. SSA Local Office Locator – Find your nearest field office for document drop-off.

Tracking Your Appeal

Create a my Social Security account to upload evidence and monitor status online. Always keep dated copies of everything you submit.

Legal Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations change. Consult a licensed Maryland attorney regarding your specific situation.

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