January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics

January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Overview

Each month the SSA (Social Security Administration) releases a statistical report highlighting key metrics from the past 30 days in the disability benefits program. These snapshots offer current as well as future beneficiaries an idea of where disability benefits fall and theirs might compare with the national average. Below is our overview of how January 2017 SSD benefits statistics looked across the United States.



Overview of January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics

Total Number of Social Security Disability Benefit Beneficiaries: 10,596,000

Disabled Workers: 8,796,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 133,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,667,000

Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,032.39

Disabled Workers: $1,171.25
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $324.10
Children of Disabled Workers: $356.12

January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Beneficiaries Stats

The January 2017 SSD benefits statistics report shows 14,000 fewer disability beneficiaries than were listed in December’s report. Program statistical fluctuations are expected within the program during each 30-day period. This shift is quite similar to the reductions seen across previous months going back to October 2016. This continues the declining trend in beneficiary recipients seen steadily dropping throughout 2016. Keep in mind that this reduction in beneficiaries includes those who passed away, fraudulent claims, and individuals who went back into the workforce during the last 30 days.

January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Beneficiaries

January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats

The January 2017 SSD benefits statistics report shows beneficiaries received a very slight monetary average increase of $.14 this month. This is a much smaller lift than occurred in December, but it’s also part of continuing trend of gradual monetary increases every month since March 2016. This month’s increase may seem negligible, but any additional income can be crucial for beneficiaries trying to make ends meet. The chart below maps out the SSD monthly monetary averages paid to disabled workers, spouses of disabled workers and children of disabled workers during the last 12 months.

January 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Monetary Average

Thinking about filing your own Social Security disability claim? Before you do, speak to an advocate or attorney about your case. Professional disability advocates and attorneys already know the ins and outs of how this program works. They also make you 3x more likely to win benefits the first time you apply. Additionally, legal representatives can help you collect adequate medical evidence needed to support your claim, request claim status updates from the SSA, and represent your appeal in court, if needed.

Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!

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Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.