2017 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium

Section 8: Social Security Administration Program
This section presents statistics on Social Security Administration Programs in the United States. Specifically, these data concern the number of beneficiaries served by, and the amount spent on, Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance, by disability status. A table also addresses those who have concurrent benefits (are enrolled in both programs), by disability status. The principal source of this data is the Social Security Administration, specifically the 2016 Annual Statistical Supplement. The 2016 Annual Statistical Supplement provides information about programs administrated by the Social Security Administration. In part, data in the Supplement provide a basis for research and policy recommendations for the programs.
In this section, disability status under Social Security is based on the ability to work. A person is considered disabled if they cannot do the work they did before; cannot adjust to other work because of a medical condition; and disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death. Definitions for aged (65 and older), blindness (statutory blindness), disabled adult child(ren), disabled widow(er) are specific to the Social Security Administration and Social Security Act and can be found on the Social Security Administration website.
Tables
Table 8.1: In December 2016, of the 8,250,112 individuals who received federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, 1,164,437 were eligible based on being 65 years or older, 68,339 were eligible based on blindness, and 7,017,336 were eligible based on disability status.
Table 8.2: In December 2016, of the $54,791,858 of federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, $5,796,368 was spent on individuals eligible based on being ages 65 years or older, $455,375 was spent on individuals eligible based on blindness, and $48,540,120 was spent on individuals eligible based on disability status.
Table 8.3: In December 2016, of the 1,212,794 individuals under age 18 who received federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, 6,003 were eligible based on blindness, and 1,202,334 were eligible based on disability status.
Table 8.4: In December 2016, of the 763,838 individuals who received federally administered payments from Supplemental Security Income program, 164,627 were under age 18, 489,956 were ages 18 to 64, and 109,255 were ages 65 and older.
Table 8.5a: In December 2016, of the 9,936,643 individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, 8,626,085 were disabled workers, 1,056,531 were disabled adult children, and 254,027 were disabled widow(ers).
Tables 8.5b–8.5g: In December 2016, of the 9,936,643 individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, 355,545 were receiving benefits on the basis of injuries.
Table 8.6: In December 2016, of the $11,119,265 spent on individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, $10,125,574 was spent on individuals who were disabled workers, $811,087 was spent on individuals who were disabled adult children, and $182,600 was spent on individuals who were disabled widows(ers).
Table 8.7a: From 2015 to 2016, the total number of recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -0.7 percent. The total number of recipients had the greatest positive change in Nevada (by 3.6 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Hawaii and West Virginia (by -2.2 percent). From 2015 to 2016, the number of aged (65 or older) recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by 0.6 percent. The number of aged recipients had the greatest positive change in Colorado (by 5.7 percent) and had the greatest negative change in North Dakota (by -4.3 percent).
Table 8.7b: From 2015 to 2016, the number of blind recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by 0.7 percent. The number of blind recipients had the greatest positive change in Wyoming (by 14.7 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Kentucky (by -3.0 percent). From 2015 to 2016, the number of disabled recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -0.9 percent. The number of disabled recipients had the greatest positive change in Nevada (by 3.3 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Hawaii (by -2.7 percent).
Table 8.8a: From 2015 to 2016, the total number of recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance changed by -0.8 percent. The total number of beneficiaries had the greatest positive change in Nevada (by 1.1 percent) and had the greatest negative change in West Virginia (by -2.3 percent). From 2015 to 2016, the number of disabled workers receiving Social Security Disability Insurance changed by -1.1 percent.
Table 8.8b: From 2015 to 2016, the total number of beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance among disabled adult children changed by 1.6 percent. The total number of beneficiaries among disabled adult children had the greatest positive change in Nevada (by 5.3 percent) and had the greatest negative change in the District of Columbia (by -0.2 percent). From 2015 to 2016, the number of disabled widow(er)s receiving Social Security Disability Insurance changed by 0.0 percent.
Table 8.9–8.12: The monthly number of Social Security Disability Insurance applicants grew from 154,330 in January of 2003 to 167,053 in October of 2017. The highest number can be found in October of 2010, reporting 293,682 beneficiaries. The lowest number can be found in February 2003, reporting 136,075.