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Maryland disability benefits

How Much Are Disability Benefits in Maryland?

Written by
Jackie Jakab, Disability Attorney
Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
Published June 25, 2024
2 min read
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Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

See if you qualify

If you live in Maryland and can’t work due to an injury or illness, you might qualify for Social Security benefits. For many people, a monthly check from the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be life-changing. 

If a monthly check could make a big difference in your financial situation, consider applying for disability benefits. Let’s explore how you can join the more than 130,000 Maryland residents who have qualified to receive monthly disability payments.


How much do you get on disability in Maryland?

In Maryland, the average monthly SSDI payment is $1,833, and the average monthly SSI payment is $629.

We've helped 2,553 people apply for benefits in Maryland.

What is the maximum payment amount for disability?

Both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security Insurance (SSI) offer benefits payments and healthcare coverage, but the qualifications and payment amounts differ. In 2024, the maximum amount you can receive for SSDI is $3,822 per month, and the maximum for SSI is $943 per month.

Maryland Disability Benefits Amounts

What determines how much you make on disability?

In Maryland, the program you qualify for impacts the payment amount you can receive. Your earnings history, income, and assets help the SSA calculate your exact payment amount.


How to calculate SSDI payments

The SSA uses a formula to calculate your monthly payment amounts. In brief, the amount of money you pay into Social Security taxes during your working years determines how much you can receive in SSDI benefits.

First, the SSA calculates your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) from your highest-earning years and adjusts this number for inflation. The SSA then uses your AIME to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA), separated into three segments. This step is where the math gets confusing — check out our complete guide on how the SSA calculates your monthly SSDI check

The easiest way to verify your eligibility and determine your estimated SSDI benefits amount is to create an SSA account on SSA.gov.


How to calculate SSI payments

The SSA calculates monthly SSI payments based on your need rather than your earnings history. The SSA will subtract your countable income — like cash and public benefits — from a federal benefit rate. 

The federal benefit rate is $943 in 2024. If your countable income is less than this federal benefit rate, you can receive $943 monthly in SSI benefits. Check out this article for more information on how the SSA calculates SSI payments.

Estimate your disability benefit amount in just a few steps

We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.

Average
monthly check

$1,489


How much does a disability lawyer cost in Maryland?

There are no upfront costs to working with a disability lawyer on your disability benefits application. Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay them if the SSA approves your claim and you win benefits. You pay your lawyer 25% of your first benefits check, and the SSA caps this fee at $7,200.

You are three times more likely to win benefits with a lawyer. A disability lawyer can help gather your medical records, complete the application paperwork, file for an appeal, and even represent you at a disability hearing. Call Atticus today for advice about your claim, and connect with a lawyer if you’d like — there are no upfront costs.


Get help applying for benefits in Maryland

If you’re applying for disability benefits in Maryland, Atticus can help. After you take our two-minute quiz, a member of our team can offer personalized advice about your disability claim. If you’d like, they can connect you with a disability lawyer who can assist you at every stage of the application process.

Frequently asked questions about benefits in Maryland

How do I qualify for disability in Maryland?

To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.

What conditions qualify for disability in Maryland?

Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.

How long does it take to get approved for disability in Maryland?

It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in Maryland. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits

How much does disability pay in Maryland?

The average SSDI payment in Maryland is $1,413.31 per month. The average SSI payment is $651.63 per month. What you’ll earn is dependent on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.

How should I prepare my disability application in Maryland?

Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.

Does Maryland have a state disability program?

No, Maryland doesn't have a state disability program. Only five states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) have a state program. Residents of Maryland can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.


Related resources for disability applicants in Maryland

Maryland Disability Benefits: How to Qualify, Apply, and Get Approved

A hand drawn image of the lead disability lawyer.
By Jackie Jakab

Disability lawyers in Maryland

A hand drawn image of the lead disability lawyer.
By Jackie Jakab

See what you qualify for

How long has your condition made it hard to work?

Jackie Jakab, Disability Attorney

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Jackie Jakab is Atticus’s Legal Director. She’s a licensed attorney, a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, and has counseled thousands of people seeking disability benefits.
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