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What Are The Chances of Winning a Social Security Disability (SSDI) Case in Westminster MD?

November 19, 2024 Disability

Chances of Winning a Disability (SSDI) Case in Westminster Maryland

88%

Great news, your chances of winning a Disability (SSDI) case are excellent if you live in Westminster MD! Those who file a claim for SSDI or SSI and stick with it through the hearing stage won their case approximately 88% of the time. The bad news is that it could take one to three years (or more in extreme cases) to get approved for benefits. Yikes!

Where to File for Social Security Disability (SSDI) in Westminster MD

Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two forms of Disability Benefits that almost everyone can get if they become disabled. For more information on the SSA rules for disability click here. There are three ways to file for SSDI benefits in Westminster MD:

  1. Online – go to SSA.gov and create an account if you don’t have one already. If you have one, log in and start the application.
  2. In person – if you live in or near Westminster MD (zip codes 21048, 21074, 21102, 21157, 21258, 21757, 21771, 21784, 21787, 21791, or 21797) go to:
    UNIT 10
    125 AIRPORT DR
    WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
  3. By Phone – call 1-800-772-1213.

Chances of Winning at the First Two Stages in Maryland

As mentioned above, Westminster MD is a pretty good place to file for Social Security Disability. Why? Maryland has above average allowance rates at the Initial and Reconsideration Stages, and because the case is almost always heard in the Baltimore Maryland Hearing Office. The Baltimore Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) has judges with some of the highest approval rates in the nation. But it usually takes two to three years to get to the hearing, unfortunately. Here is the breakdown of stages of a Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application/appeal from a Westminster Disability Lawyer:

  1. Initial Stage: this is the stage when you first file your application. In Maryland, cases at the Initial Stage are being approved 47.6% of the time. If you get denied, you must file a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days to preserve your claim.
  2. Reconsideration Stage: Maryland Requests for Reconsideration are approved at a much lower rate, namely 20.6%. That means that approximately 43% of people that file for disability get denied at both of the first two stages and have to file a Request for Hearing in order to continue their claim. Note: those who give up after being denied have a 0% chance of being approved, you must appeal, SSA will not do it for you.

Chances of Winning at the Hearing Stage – Westminster Disability Lawyer

After the Reconsideration Stage, those who file a timely (60 days after receiving denial) Hearing Request will get a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The chances of winning a Disability (SSDI) or SSI claim at the hearing level in Westminster MD (Baltimore Hearing Office) is an incredible 73%! If you’d like to see the breakdown of case approval percentages by individual ALJ, click on Judge Ratings for Baltimore MD. Out of all the claimants that got denied at the first two levels, some of them dropped their claims or didn’t request a hearing, but those who stuck with it won their case approximately 88% of the time in Westminster. Most of these 88% have a Disability lawyer serving Westminster Maryland! If you need help with your application or appeal, contact us, a Westminster Disability Lawyer for a free case evaluation.

Photo Source: By Farragutful – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59577611