May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics

May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Snapshot

Each month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a statistical report showing how the Social Security disability program’s numbers changed within the last 30 days. These reports provide current as well as future assistance recipients a way to compare their own checks to the national average and any statistical trends that emerge over time. We’ll explain exactly how these numbers changed across the United States in our May 2017 SSD benefits statistics overview below.



May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Snapshot

Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 10,564,000

Disabled Workers: 8,762,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 132,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,670,000

Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,032.47

Disabled Workers: $1,171.64
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $324.67
Children of Disabled Workers: $358.02

Looking Deeper at How the May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Impacts Beneficiaries

The May 2017 SSD benefits statistics report shows 12,000 fewer total disability insurance beneficiaries than were listed in April’s report. According to this month’s report, the number of disabled workers receiving benefits fell by 11,000, a thousand children were removed from beneficiary rolls and eligible spouse numbers remained static. Included in these changing beneficiary numbers are any former recipients who passed away, fraudulent claims struck from the total numbers, and individuals who regained employment since last month’s report. In fact, the May 2017 SSD benefits statistics report shows very few changes within the past month and simply reinforces the disability program’s overall stability.

May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Beneficiaries

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

The May 2017 SSD benefits statistics report shows a one-cent change in the monetary average benefit during the last 30 days. Children of disabled workers enjoyed a $.37 increase, which was the largest change in monetary benefits across the board. The chart below outlines monetary averages for disabled workers, their spouses and their children during the past 12 months.

May 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Monetary Average

Not sure if you’ll qualify for Social Security disability benefits? A free legal consultation from a Social Security attorney is the best way to learn about assistance options from the SSA. Attorneys can also get the most disability benefits on a faster timeline for eligible applicants. Plus, attorneys can explain what medical evidence best proves your claim, relay status updates and represent you during your appeal.

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.