The March 2018 SSD benefits statistics report is now available from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Every month, the SSA reports disability claims data updates that happened over the last 30 days. This way, anyone can compare their own disability check amount against the current national average. You can also see spousal, survivor and dependent payment statistical data for the last month. Below, we’ll explain any major changes highlighted in this month’s report and how the data may affect your own disability claim.
March 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Update
Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 10,367,000
Disabled Workers: 8,653,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 124,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,590,000
Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,060.15
Disabled Workers: $1,197.65
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $335.51
Children of Disabled Workers: $368.47
How the March 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries
The March 2018 SSD benefits statistics report listed 9,000 fewer total beneficiaries than February’s update. Interestingly, 10,000 disabled workers fell off this month’s rolls, but 1,000 additional child beneficiaries closed this month’s gap. Much like the trend we noted throughout last year, spousal beneficiaries remained flat month-to-month. Anytime SSD beneficiaries die, get hired or become eligible for Social Security, these numbers automatically adjust. The SSA also audits each month’s disability rolls for fraudulent claims and removes any ineligible claimants before publishing another statistical report 30 days later.
March 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats
The March 2018 SSD benefits statistics report showed very few changes in average payment amounts compared to February. Average payments rose just $.32 across the board, while disabled workers lost $.51 this month. Spousal benefits went up a whopping $.05, while children enjoyed a $.74 raise this month. It’s interesting to note that the only beneficiary group whose numbers increased also enjoyed the biggest raise this month. Still, these small shifts show that average payment amounts essentially stabilized this month after this year’s 2% overall COLA increase.
How to Qualify for Free Legal Assistance
Many people struggle with applying for Social Security disability benefits. And the biggest reason claims get turned down? It’s basic paperwork errors people make on the claim forms! Luckily, you’ll pay nothing to have a lawyer help you apply.
The lawyers in our network offer free, confidential consultations to anyone who has questions about applying for disability benefits.
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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.