Hunt Valley Social Security Disability Lawyer

Fighting For Your Future

If you have suffered a temporary or permanent disability and are no longer able to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

Over 2 million people apply for disabled worker benefits each year. Since the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives such a large amount of applications, the SSD process is known for being long, stressful, and quite tedious. These difficulties only amplify when you choose to navigate your claim without the support of an experienced attorney.

Our Social Security lawyers at Gordon, Wolf & Carney offer over 100 years of combined legal experience. We are prepared to meet with you and discuss the details of your case so that, together, we can build a claim that aims for your best result. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable and compassionate team. We have a strong history of success, and we represent clients throughout the state of Maryland and across the country.

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?  

SSDI pays monthly benefits to workers who paid into Social Security through payroll taxes but can no longer work because of a qualifying medical condition. To qualify, you need enough work credits, which generally means you’ve worked at least five of the last ten years, though the exact number depends on your age when you became disabled. The Social Security Administration only approves claims where the condition prevents substantial gainful activity and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death.

What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSI works differently. It pays monthly benefits to disabled individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. If you haven’t worked long enough to qualify for SSDI, or haven’t worked at all, SSI may still be available. Maryland SSI recipients also qualify for Medicaid, giving them access to essential healthcare coverage. Some people qualify for both SSDI and SSI at the same time. This is known as concurrent benefits.

How Do I File an SSDI or SSI Claim?

Filing for Social Security Disability starts with gathering your paperwork. You’ll need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records and provider contact information, and a summary of your work history going back 15 years.

From there, you can submit your application online through the SSA’s website, by phone, or in person. The disability report that comes with your application asks specific questions about your medical condition, your symptoms, your treatment, and how your condition limits your ability to work, so answering in detail matters.

Once you submit, the SSA confirms your basic eligibility and forwards your medical records to Maryland’s Disability Determination Services for a full review. Respond quickly to any follow-up requests and attend any medical exams DDS schedules. Missing documentation is one of the most common reasons initial applications are denied, so a complete, well-organized application from the start gives you the strongest chance at approval.

How Does Social Security Determine Eligibility?

The SSA follows a five-step process to decide whether you qualify for disability benefits.

First, it checks whether you’re earning above the substantial gainful activity limit, which for 2026 is $1,690 a month for non-blind applicants. Earning above that amount generally leads to denial regardless of your diagnosis.

Second, the SSA looks at whether your condition is severe enough to limit basic work-related activities like standing, sitting, or concentrating.

Third, your condition is compared against the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the Blue Book, which sets specific medical criteria across categories like musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, mental health disorders, and cancers. Meeting a listing can result in approval at this stage.

If your condition doesn’t meet a listing, the fourth step asks whether you can still do work you’ve done in the past five years, based on your Residual Functional Capacity, or what you’re realistically able to do despite your limitations.

If you can’t return to past work, the fifth and final step considers whether any other job exists that you could perform given your age, education, and work experience.

A denial at any step ends the process, which is why strong, well-documented medical evidence matters at every stage of a claim.

Why Hire a Hunt Valley SSDI Lawyer

When you file a Social Security Disability claim from Hunt Valley, your medical evidence is reviewed by Maryland’s Disability Determination Services (DDS), the same state agency that evaluates every SSDI and SSI application filed in Maryland. Our Hunt Valley attorneys and paralegals know how that review process works, from the initial medical evaluation through any appeal.

At Gordon, Wolf & Carney, we bring over 100 years of combined experience to every Social Security Disability claim. We handle every case on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no cost to get started and no fee unless we win.

The SSDI Appeals Process 

If your Social Security Disability claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. The process has four stages: reconsideration, where a new SSA reviewer examines your claim; a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, where you can present new evidence and testimony; Appeals Council review, if the ALJ’s decision isn’t in your favor; and, in some cases, federal court review. Each stage has strict deadlines. Missing one can mean losing your right to appeal. Our Hunt Valley Social Security Disability lawyers guide clients through every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions