Disability Benefits and Help in Maryland

SSDI and SSI in Maryland

Social Security disability works the same in every state: SSA takes your application, and a state agency makes the medical decision. In Maryland, that agency is the Maryland Disability Determination Services (Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services). In 2026, SSI pays up to $994 a month for an individual before any state supplement, and work above $1,690 a month generally rules out disability benefits.

Start with how to apply, SSDI vs SSI and the eligibility screener. To visit an office, find Social Security offices in Maryland on socialsecurityofficesnearme.com, the office finder from the same publisher.

Does Maryland Add to SSI?

The Public Assistance to Adults (PAA) program pays for the cost of care and a personal needs allowance for people living in assisted living facilities licensed by the Maryland Department of Health and in Certified Adult Residential Environmental (Project Home) homes; applicants must apply for Social Security benefits. There is no supplement for people living on their own. The state runs it through Maryland Department of Human Services, separately from SSA.

Source: state program page. See how SSI works and the SSI calculator.

Paid Medical Leave in Maryland

Maryland has no temporary disability insurance, but Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) will pay up to $1,000 a week for your own serious health condition, up to 12 weeks. Starting January 1, 2028, eligible employees will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave. Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) details

Compare every state program in state disability insurance.

Medicaid for People With Disabilities in Maryland

Maryland's Medicaid program is run by the Maryland Department of Health (Maryland Medicaid). The state has a 1634 agreement with SSA, so SSA makes the Medicaid decision for SSI recipients: when SSA approves your SSI, Medicaid generally follows. (SSA)

Working with a disability: Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program lets people with disabilities who work keep Medicaid coverage.

Home and Community Services in Maryland

• Community Options Waiver
• Community Pathways Waiver
• Brain Injury Waiver
• Autism Waiver
• Model Waiver
• Medical Day Care Services Waiver

More on Medicaid for people with disabilities and getting paid as a family caregiver.

Vocational Rehabilitation in Maryland

Maryland's vocational rehabilitation agency helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs:

• Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

How it works: vocational rehabilitation.

Disability Rights Help in Maryland

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is Maryland's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

Know your rights: the ADA, accommodations at work, IEPs and 504 plans.

ABLE Accounts in Maryland

Maryland ABLE: Maryland's state ABLE program; site describes saving up to $100,000 before SSI cash benefits are affected and a possible Maryland income deduction for contributions. In 2026 you can contribute up to $20,000 a year, and the disability must have started before age 46.

Details: ABLE accounts.

Disability Parking Placards in Maryland

Apply through the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) using Application for Maryland Parking Placards/License Plates (VR-210). Fee: There is not a fee for the placard(s). (A disability plate requires the $40.00 substitute/replacement tag fee.). Permanent (blue) placards do not contain an expiration date and remain valid until the death of the disabled individual; temporary (red) placards may be valid from three weeks up to six months.

How placards work everywhere: disability parking placards.

Maryland Disability Help: Common Questions