Each month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a statistical report showing SSD claims data and average payment amounts. These statistics give both current and future beneficiaries a good understanding of where disability benefits fall and how theirs compare to the average. Below is our July 2016 SSD benefits statistics report analysis.
Overview of July 2016 SSD Benefits Statistics
Total Number of Social Security Disability Benefit Beneficiaries: 10,664,000
Disabled Workers: 8,861,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 138,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,666,000
Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,028.17
Disabled Workers: $1,166.41
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $322.56
Children of Disabled Workers: $351.29
July 2016 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Beneficiaries Stats
July’s statistics revealed a decrease of at least 64,000 disability beneficiaries. Decreases like this are not unusual within the program. There is no clear cut answer as to why the decrease in beneficiaries occurred, but it’s likely due to normal fluctuations within the program. A similar drop of more than 52,000 beneficiaries was seen in June of this year. It’s important to keep in mind that that decrease is accounting for beneficiaries who are deceased, fraudulent claims, and individuals who re-joined the workforce.
As seen in the graph below, the number of beneficiaries remained steady during the past year. This can be crucial for beneficiaries who have a disability claim pending or are looking to file for benefits in the future.
July 2016 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats
When it comes to monetary statistics, the monthly average that beneficiaries receive increased by $2.97 in July. This increase may seem small, but it can be crucial for people who rely on benefits to make ends meet each month. Below, we’ve mapped out the monthly monetary averages during the past 12 months. The numbers include disabled workers, spouses of disabled workers, and children of disabled workers.
Seeking Legal Help
Many people will rely on the assistance of either an advocate or attorney. Both advocates and attorneys know the ins and outs of the program and can help qualified individuals secure the benefits they need. On top of that, legal representatives are with you every step of the way and can help you with collecting medical documentation, contact the SSA on your behalf, and if necessary help you appeal an unfavorable decision.
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Megan Kelly is a former blogger and copywriter for LeadingResponse.