The Social Security Administration (SSA) is part of the United States government. You probably already know that, though. The agency was created when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office in 1935. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are only two of the programs administered by the SSA. The programs are vast and reach many people every year. Let’s take a look at Social Security Disability Insurance by the numbers.
The Size of SSDI
The SSA gathers interesting data about SSDI benefits and the people who need them:
10.1 million – the approximate number of people who received benefits from the Social Security Disability program in 2017.
88% of those receiving payments are workers.
11% were disabled adult children.
2.6% were disabled surviving spouses.
1 out of 7 – the number of people received SSI benefits.
1 out of 4 – the number of today’s 20-year olds who will become disabled the age of 67.
Age 55 – the average age of disability beneficiaries.
32.7% — the largest category of diagnoses, which was musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.
733,879 – the number of disability awards in 2018.
$11.5 billion – the amount paid out in December of 2017.
General Statistics About SSDI Benefits
Some numbers just show up as work through the application and review of your disability claim
4 – the number of work credits you can earn in one year.
40 – the minimum number of work credits needed for people age 62 or older. (The number of work credits needed varies depending on your age.)
$5,440 – the amount of money you must earn in 2019 to accrue 4 work credits.
Numbers Are Interesting, but Social Security Disability Benefits Are About the People
Social Security Disability benefits are for people who can’t work due to a disability – like cancer, back problems, serious health conditions, blindness, and depression, just to name a few.
If you or a loved one are unable to work due to a disabling condition, call us at 714-385-8100 for a free consultation. It helps to have a knowledgeable person in your corner. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have over 50 years of experience with Social Security disability cases. We assist clients throughout Southern California from our home office in Anaheim.
