Maryland
The Maryland People's Law Library, sponsored by the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library, provides free plain-language legal information about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for Maryland residents. To qualify for SSDI, individuals must have a disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and must have worked and paid into Social Security for five of the last ten years. Monthly benefit amounts range from $100 to $3,148 and are based on lifetime earnings history. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. If denied, applicants have 60 days plus a 5-day grace period to file an appeal. The guide also covers dependent and survivor benefits and links to the SSA Disability Planner to estimate benefits.