The Social Security Administration‘s August 2018 SSD benefits statistics report shows 30 days of program data. Anyone can use these monthly statistical snapshots to compare their benefits against the national average. See how claims for spouses, children and disabled workers as well as average payment amounts changed since July below.
August 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Update
Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 10,225,000
Disabled Workers: 8,597,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 121,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,507,000
Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,065.84
Disabled Workers: $1,198.49
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $339.29
Children of Disabled Workers: $367.74
How the August 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries
The August 2018 SSD benefits statistics report lists 19,000 fewer beneficiaries total compared to July. While disability rolls shrank more last month, it’s been almost 18 years since numbers fell this low.
All categories lost beneficiaries this month, including disabled workers, spouses and children. Over the last 30 days, the SSA removed 1,000 spouses as well as 4,000 children from active payment status. Anyone who died, started working or converted to retirement benefits isn’t counted in the August 2018 SSD benefits statistics report. The SSA also looks for fraudulent activity and deletes those claims before the next month’s report goes out.
August 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats
According to the August 2018 SSD benefits statistics report, children enjoyed the biggest pay raise this month. Monthly SSD payments across all beneficiary categories combined rose $.11 since July, on average. Unfortunately, disabled workers’ checks were $.05 lower in August compared to last month’s payments.
Last but not least, spousal beneficiary payments rose $.18 month-over-month, on average. As the claimant pool shrinks, it often helps move new applications through the SSA’s review process a little faster. So if you think you may have an eligible claim, don’t wait — apply now and beat the holiday rush!
How to Qualify for Legal Assistance With Your Claim
Did you know that a single mistake on your claim forms will make the SSA deny your application? Last year, the agency denied 40% of claims due to basic paperwork errors — like leaving a required field blank! It’s a costly and time-consuming problem when you’re struggling to pay for rent, gas and groceries each month.
A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and potentially get your claim approved the first time. If you already got denied, a lawyer gives you the best chance for winning your appeal. If you want specific answers that apply to your claim, our lawyers can call or meet with you for free. That’s because all Social Security lawyers work on contingency. In other words, you’ll never pay for professional help unless a lawyer helps you win. But if you do win, you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free disability 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.