October 2017 SSD benefits statistics report

October 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Analysis

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has now released its October 2017 SSD benefits statistics report. This monthly publication highlights any changes to the program’s claim numbers over the last 30 days. These reports help future applicants as well as current beneficiaries compare their checks against the national average. We review each report to identify any relevant statistical trends that appear during the calendar year. Keep reading to see what changed in our report analysis below.



October 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Update

Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 10,450,000

Disabled Workers: 8,736,000
Spouses of Disabled Workers: 128,000
Children of Disabled Workers: 1,586,000

Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,037.89

Disabled Workers: $1,171.97
Spouses of Disabled Workers: $327.91
Children of Disabled Workers: $356.77

How the October 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries

For the third consecutive month, the October 2017 SSD benefits statistics report showed a significant drop in disability beneficiaries. This month, we noted 6,000 fewer total beneficiaries, while disabled workers fell by 10,000 since September. Spousal beneficiaries stayed the same, but children increased by 4,000 in the last 30 days. These reduced October numbers also include deceased beneficiaries, fraudulent claimants and those who found employment since last month’s report came out.

October 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Beneficiaries

Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats

Much like September, we saw raises across the board for beneficiaries in the October 2017 SSD benefits statistics report. Children of disabled workers saw the biggest jump in average benefits, receiving a $1.29 raise this month. The workers themselves enjoyed the next-largest jump, receiving a $1.19 increase in this month’s checks. Even spouses enjoyed a raise this month, with another $.96 added to their benefits payments. This is good news as we dive into this year’s holiday season, where every extra penny helps to make ends meet.

October 2017 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Monetary Average

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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.