The August 2022 SSD benefits statistics report from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is now available, so let’s dive in. This monthly statistical update shows how disability pay and beneficiary numbers changed during the past 30 days. Disability recipients can see how their benefits stack up compared to the national monthly average. Our analysis includes the latest numbers from both federal programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
August 2022 SSD Benefits Statistics Report
Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 8,979,000
Disabled Workers: 7,728,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 93,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,158,000
Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,231.80
Disabled Workers: $1,362.34
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $377.35
Children of Disabled Workers: $429.45
How the August 2022 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries
The August 2022 SSD benefits statistics report shows 30,000 fewer total beneficiaries since July. This is exactly what we predicted in the July 2022 report analysis. Disabled workers make up most of these losses, down 22,000 month-over-month. Next, children of disabled workers lost 6,000 beneficiaries compared to the previous 30-day period. Finally, spouses getting SSD benefits shrank by 1,000 during the last month:
That said, the SSA also approved more than 67,000 new SSD recipients between July and August. Here’s a look at this month’s newly-approved SSD beneficiaries:
- 48,268 disabled workers (25,998 men and 22,270 women)
- 2,418 spouses of disabled workers (270 husbands and 2,148 wives)
- 16,937 children of disabled workers
August 2022 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats
The August 2022 SSD benefits statistics report also lists average benefit pay amounts for all four groups. For the first time in a while, average SSD payments went up across the board. Average benefits for children of disabled workers increased $.65 since July. Spousal beneficiaries got a $.55 raise, on average, compared to last month. Disabled workers saw the smallest pay bump at just $.31 compared to July’s report. Overall, that means the average SSD benefit nationwide rose by $.67:
However, people approved during the last month typically get higher pay amounts than what we listed above. August’s newly approved SSD claimants will receive the following average payments within the next 30 days:
- $1,567.26/month for disabled workers ($1,723.64/month for men, and $1,384.70/month for women)
- $392.47/month for spousal beneficiaries ($380.15/month for husbands, and $394.01/month for wives)
- $427.45/month for children of disabled workers
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Data in the August 2022 Report
The August 2022 SSD benefits statistics report also shows SSI beneficiary numbers and average monthly payments. Seniors aged 65 and older made the biggest jump in new SSI recipients this month, increasing by 20,000:
Total SSI beneficiaries: 7,608,000 (+18,000)
Children under 18 receiving SSI: 1,019,000 (-5,000)
SSI recipients aged 18-64: 4,267,000 (-14,000)
SSI recipients aged 65+: 2,321,000 (+20,000)
And here is August 2022’s average SSI benefit amount for each age group:
- $623.09/month (all SSI beneficiary groups nationwide, averaged together)
- $731.71/month for children
- $658.65/month for working-aged people (i.e., 18-64)
- $510.15/month for those aged 65 and older
You May Qualify for Legal Assistance
The SSA is nearly 3x more likely to award you disability when a Social Security attorney files your claim. Those who qualify for legal assistance usually get at least $12,000 in lump-sum backpay plus monthly benefits. Not sure if you need an attorney to qualify for these payments? All disability attorneys offer free, no-obligation claim help to those who qualify for legal assistance.
In other words, if you don’t get disability, you owe your lawyer $0 in legal fees. But if you win, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.
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.