October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Report

October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Review

The October 2018 SSD benefits statistics are here from the Social Security Administration so let’s break down the numbers. Each month, the SSA’s newest report shows how beneficiary categories and dollar amounts changed in the last 30 days. We track these statistical reports to help you compare your own SSD benefits against the national average. Below, we’ll explain how payments for disabled workers, their spouses and children changed since last month’s update.



October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Update

Total Number of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries: 10,171,000

Disabled Workers: 8,548,000

Spouses of Disabled Workers: 119,000

Children of Disabled Workers: 1,503,000

Average Monthly Social Security Disability Benefit Amount: $1,067.12

Disabled Workers: $1,199.91

Spouses of Disabled Workers: $340.77

Children of Disabled Workers: $369.66

How the October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics Report Affects Beneficiaries

Wow, the October 2018 SSD benefits statistics report shows 42,000 fewer beneficiaries than last month! We haven’t seen a single-month drop in SSD claimants like that since July 2014.

There are now 37,000 fewer disabled workers in active-payment status compared to September’s report. The spousal category lost another 1,000 claimants, the same amount that we noted last month. The October 2018 SSD benefits report also shows 5,000 children struck from the disability rolls in the last 30 days. The SSA removes any claimants who find work, reach full retirement age or pass away before publishing the next report. In addition, the SSA conducts audits looking for suspicious and fraudulent activity from month to month. Anyone caught illegally collecting disability benefits is also removed — and forced to repay every penny.

October 2018 SSD Benefits - Total Monthly Claimants

October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics: Looking Deeper at the Monetary Stats

Once again, every payment category in the October 2018 SSD benefits report rose, on average. First up are the dependent children, who enjoyed a $1.36 raise compared to September. Disabled workers are next, with another $1.24 added to this month’s payments. Spousal claimants got just $.30 more compared to last month, raising total average payment amount by $1.11 for October.

October 2018 SSD Benefits Statistics - Monthly Monetary Averages

We expect to see claimant numbers and average check amounts increase significantly right around the holidays. If you haven’t already filed your Social Security disability benefits claim, don’t wait — do it now and beat the rush! This is the best time of year for SSD claim approvals. Plus, the SSA’s 2.8% COLA increase begins just after the New Year.

Is your handwriting clear and easy to read? Are you comfortable having a stranger at the SSA office fill out your application? Right now, 2 in every 5 first-time filers get denied benefits for basic errors on their forms! If you can’t afford to wait an average 17.4 months to appeal after you’re denied, why risk it?

A Social Security attorney can help you file your claim for free and ensure everything’s filled out correctly. If the SSA denies your first claim, attorneys can help you schedule an appeal hearing much faster. All Social Security lawyers work on contingency, so you’ll never pay any fees unless they help you win benefits. And if you do win, you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee. Legal assistance ensures you receive the most benefits faster than you would filing on your own.

Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free disability 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.