Let’s review the August 2021 SSD benefits statistics report from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA’s monthly statistics report shows how disability pay and total beneficiaries changed during the last 30 days. Disability recipients can use these updates to compare their monthly payments against the national average. Below, we’ll review new data from both federal disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
August 2021 SSD Benefits Statistics Report
Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 9,386,000
Disabled Workers: 8,021,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 100,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,265,000
Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,152.37
Disabled Workers: $1,280.84
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $359.30
Children of Disabled Workers: $400.54
How the August 2021 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries
Once again, the August 2021 SSD benefits statistics report shows major beneficiary losses across all categories. This month, 26,000 fewer disabled workers receive SSD payments than in July. Spousal beneficiaries fell by 1,000 this month. There are also 7,000 fewer children on SSD payments this month. Overall, that means 34,000 fewer people get benefits now compared to July’s report:
Today, a little less than 20% of all Social Security beneficiaries get SSD benefits. This includes disabled workers, their spouses, and their children (where applicable). About 1 in 12 people on Social Security receive survivor’s benefits. By contrast, nearly 50 million people at least 62 years old receive Social Security retirement. Overall, nearly 1 in 5 Americans today receives a Social Security payment each month.
August 2021 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats
Unlike last month, average monthly payments went up for all beneficiaries in the last 30 days. Benefits for children of disabled workers went up $.59 for August. Payments to spouses of disabled workers increased $.32, on average. Disabled workers saw the lowest pay bump compared to July, with just a $.22 increase. During the last 30 days, the total average SSD payment rose $.58 nationwide:
So, how much do August’s newly approved SSD claimants get in monthly payments? Below are the latest SSD pay amounts for people set to start receiving benefits within the next 30 days:
- $1462.42/month for disabled workers ($1,613.36/month for men, $1,291.37/month for women)
- $370.77/month for spouses ($359.76/month for husbands, and $372.22/month for wives)
- $407.14/month for children of disabled workers
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Data in the August 2021 Report
The August 2021 SSD benefits statistics report also lists SSI beneficiaries and average pay amounts by age group. Every category of SSI beneficiaries grew larger between July and August, as you can see below:
Total SSI beneficiaries: 7,792,000 (+15,000)
Children under 18 receiving SSI: 1,065,000 (+4,000)
SSI recipients aged 18-64: 4,443,000 (+2,000)
SSI recipients aged 65+: 2,284,000 (+9,000)
Below are current monthly SSI payments broken down by age group:
- $585.96/month is the average monthly benefit nationwide across all ages
- $692.89/month for children younger than 18
- $616.87/month for working-age beneficiaries (i.e., those aged 18-64)
- $476.00/month for seniors aged 65 and older who qualify based on age and poverty level
You May Qualify for Legal Assistance
You’re nearly 3x more likely to get disability benefits when a Social Security attorney files your claim paperwork. People who qualify for legal assistance through this site typically get a lump-sum payment of $10,000 plus monthly SSD benefits. The SSA usually denies claims from those who apply on their own without legal assistance.
Think you can’t afford a lawyer? Every attorney we can connect you with works on contingency. That means if you don’t win benefits, then you pay $0 for legal assistance. And if you do win, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee after your claim’s approved.
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.