Social Security in Baltimore: Access to Services

As the 20th largest metro area in the United States, Baltimore is a hub of industry, transport and innovation. But for many people living in the city and its outlying areas, working is simply not a possibility because of chronic conditions that prevent them from being able to do their jobs. Whether it’s an illness, injury or other medical condition, there are many reasons that you may be prevented from working — all of which can put you in a difficult situation both financially and medically. However, there is a solution available for many people — Social Security disability benefits, which can help those people who are lacking the resources to continue living their daily lives after a medical condition puts them out of work.

Disability payouts provide financial support that allows you to pay your medical bills as well as everyday living expenses, but the application process is extensive, and most people who apply are denied during the first round of consideration. You start the process by filing a claim with your state’s Social Security branch, which includes relevant paperwork as well as any evidence that you would like to submit that helps prove that you have a disability and are no longer able to work. If your claim is denied (as over 60% of initial claims are), you don’t have to stop there — you can appeal by filing a Request for Reconsideration, and then requesting a hearing before a judge that will consider your case. Throughout this process, you will want to work with an representative who will explain the steps to you and advise you on your best course of action in order to win your claim.

In the Baltimore area, access to Social Security services is centered around Social Security offices, seven of which are available in the greater Baltimore area alone (with more scattered throughout the state of Maryland). If you have questions about how to apply for disability benefits, need to access the paperwork or want to check on the status of your application, you can always visit one of your local offices during their regular hours. You can also find a lot of information online at www.ssa.gov, the official website of the Social Security Administration.