Social Security Disability Surveillance in Baltimore & Washington, DC

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Disability Advocates in Baltimore, DC & Virginia Translate the Benefit Rules

Society has come a long way from how it used to treat people considered “disabled.” People understand it’s wrong to ignore or mistreat others who struggle with certain everyday tasks or behave in a way that’s different from what the majority considers “typical.”

Most governments, companies, employers, schools, universities and organizations now have rules against disability discrimination and find ways to accommodate people with impairments. Of course, we can all agree that things can be better.

The old ideas and images of a person with a disability can complicate things when you’re trying to get Social Security Disability benefits.

Social Security’s definition of “disabled” is different and highly specific.

It strictly defines disability only in the context of a job: If your medical condition won’t allow you to work and earn a living, then you could be officially considered “disabled” and can qualify for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.

Knowing what Social Security is looking for when you apply for benefits is key to gaining financial relief that can stabilize your life.

This is exactly how we help at Mathis & Mathis Disability Advocates.

For more than 30 years, we have helped thousands of people in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Alexandria and Northern Virginia rest easier after the struggle of losing a job because of a medical or mental health condition.

Social Security Disability Is All We Do.

Meeting Social Security’s Definition of “Disabled”

To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, it’s not good enough to have your doctor simply declare you “disabled.”

While your doctor’s findings are vitally important to your application, the government primarily wants to see how your disability impacts your employability.

Social Security has very rigid criteria you must meet to gain benefits. You must show:

You can no longer do the job you did because of your medical condition.

You can’t do any other job because of your condition.

Your condition must be likely to keep you from working for at least a year or the rest of your life.

Social Security doesn’t provide partial or temporary benefits, so your disability must meet all three rules.

Other factors come into play as well. To get SSDI benefits:

You can’t earn more than $1,620 a month through working (as of 2025), though you can have investment or rental property income. If you’re able to work and make that much, Social Security will call it “substantial gainful activity,” which means you have enough ability to work that you won’t get benefits.

You have to be younger than full retirement age, otherwise you would qualify for Social Security retirement rather than disability benefits.

You must have worked a certain amount in the past, paying Social Security taxes, to have SSDI coverage.
That’s a lot to track, especially when you’re stressed about your health.

At Mathis & Mathis, our disability advocates can help you figure out how strong of a case you have, and we’ll offer our professional opinion at no cost to you.

Social Security’s Definition of Disability Is Tough on Purpose

Social Security Disability benefits are a promise made long ago to give people who can no longer work through no fault of their own a chance to live their lives with dignity.

But the process soon included strict guardrails to protect from fraud and abuse and to prove that only deserving people get benefits.

In other words, meeting Social Security’s definition of a qualifying disability is hard on purpose. Nationally, Social Security denies 80 percent of first-time applications.

When you apply for benefits, you’ll need to gather hard evidence showing you meet that definition. Your medical records, work history documents—and even statements from people who can attest that your impairment keeps you from the kinds of activities required for a job—may all be necessary to win your case.

If you can, you’ll want to show that your condition meets one of those identified in Social Security’s list of eligible impairments. Or you’ll need to show that your symptoms are severe enough to qualify you for benefits without your condition appearing on that list.

Worrying whether you forgot a document or misunderstood a question on your application can be overwhelming. You can eliminate that uncertainty when you call the disability advocates at Mathis & Mathis.

We will do the legwork for you. Our disability advocates will walk you through how to tell your story to Social Security.

We’ll be with you throughout the application and appeals process to guide you and answer your questions.

When you can’t work due to major health problems in D.C., Baltimore or Northern Virginia, and you need benefits for a more secure life, talk to the disability advocates at Mathis & Mathis.

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Applying or Appealing, We Can Help

Whether you’re in the initial stages of applying, appealing a denial of benefits, or wondering if you qualify, Mathis & Mathis can help.

Social Security Disability FAQs

Because applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated, you likely have many questions about the process. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

Disability FAQs »

Hear from a Mathis & Mathis Client

“I could not recommend Mathis & Mathis highly enough. They were kind, patient and thorough. No question was too small. They were timely in responding to me. While the process of applying for and obtaining disability is a long, tough road, Mr. Mathis made everything so much better. If you are thinking about applying, please do and know you will be taken very good care of . . . just like family.”

— Tracey Jones, Google Reviews