SSI Annual Statistical Report, 2021
Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits
The tables in this section provide data on the outcomes of applications for SSI benefits based on blindness or disability. The data on applications are derived from the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Disability Research File (DRF) maintained by the Office of Disability Policy. Each year the DRF is updated with information about applications for disability benefits that is then used to determine the outcome of those applications. The outcome data in these tables are reported by year of filing and include decisions made through the administrative appeals process.
Table 69 shows the total number of applications filed in a year, the number that are pending a final decision, the number denied for nonmedical reasons before a medical decision is made (technical denials), the outcome of applications for which a medical allowance or denial was made, and award and allowance rates. Applications for which a medical allowance or denial decision was made but which were subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons are shown under the medical decision header as subsequent denials. The most common nonmedical reason for denying a claim is excess income.
The allowance rate is calculated by dividing the number of medical allowances (including subsequent technical denials) by the total number of medical decisions made for a 1-year cohort. The award rate is a broader program measure that is calculated as the number of allowances minus subsequent denials divided by total applications (minus pending claims) filed for a given year.
Claims that remain pending after 6 years are probably the result of imperfect data rather than excessive delays in the decisionmaking process. It is highly probable that decisions have been rendered on most of the older claims. For more recent years, the award and allowance rates will change as decisions are made on pending claims.
Tables 70–72 show the allowance rate for SSI only and the SSI portion of concurrent (a claim for both Social Security and SSI disability benefits) applications, one for each level in the administrative decisionmaking process; that is, initial, reconsideration, and hearing or higher level.
From October 1999 through March 2020, the proportion of claims awarded at each level of the process was affected by a Prototype Process that SSA tested in 10 states. Under this test, the reconsideration step of the appeals process was eliminated for applications filed October 1, 1999, or later. Elimination of the reconsideration level in these states resulted in a decrease in the aggregate proportion of claims awarded at this step. SSA began phasing out the Prototype Process on January 1, 2019, and by March 31, 2020, the reconsideration step had been reinstated in all 10 test states.
This section also includes one table that shows the reason for medical allowance and one that shows reason for medical denial (Tables 73 and 74). The reasons are derived from the sequential evaluation process used by decisionmakers. SSA maintains a list of impairments that are considered disabling under its regulations. An applicant can be found to be disabled if he or she:
- has a listed impairment,
- has a severe impairment that is equal to a listed impairment,
- has a severe impairment when medical and vocational factors are considered, or
- had previously established entitlement to a disability benefit.
An applicant can be denied benefits if he or she:
- has an impairment that is not expected to last 12 months;
- has an impairment that is not considered severe;
- is able to perform his or her usual type of work;
- is able to perform another type of work; or
- provides insufficient medical evidence, fails to cooperate, fails to follow prescribed treatment, does not want to continue development of the claim, or returns to substantial work before disability can be established.
Year | Total | Pending final decision | Technical denials a | Medical decisions | Award rate d (percent) | Allowance rate e (percent) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denials | Allowances | ||||||||
Medical | Subsequent nonmedical b | Awards | Subsequent denials c | ||||||
All ages f | |||||||||
1992 | 1,828,951 | 0 | 134,438 | 741,839 | 1,556 | 860,875 | 90,243 | 47.1 | 56.1 |
1993 | 2,048,945 | 0 | 141,214 | 937,757 | 1,600 | 878,932 | 89,442 | 42.9 | 50.8 |
1994 | 2,014,499 | 0 | 123,175 | 1,041,432 | 1,681 | 770,905 | 77,306 | 38.3 | 44.8 |
1995 | 1,845,212 | 0 | 103,335 | 995,185 | 1,344 | 683,850 | 61,498 | 37.1 | 42.8 |
1996 | 1,786,770 | 0 | 113,027 | 938,407 | 1,886 | 671,900 | 61,550 | 37.6 | 43.8 |
1997 | 1,505,145 | 0 | 97,320 | 738,808 | 2,074 | 606,224 | 60,719 | 40.3 | 47.4 |
1998 | 1,520,538 | 0 | 95,990 | 701,331 | 3,831 | 656,567 | 62,819 | 43.2 | 50.5 |
1999 | 1,528,217 | 0 | 105,819 | 688,922 | 4,003 | 665,071 | 64,402 | 43.5 | 51.3 |
2000 | 1,612,878 | 0 | 156,447 | 687,969 | 3,841 | 691,505 | 73,116 | 42.9 | 52.5 |
2001 | 1,749,407 | 0 | 203,313 | 725,442 | 3,542 | 736,126 | 80,984 | 42.1 | 52.8 |
2002 | 1,958,790 | 0 | 278,217 | 810,525 | 3,583 | 777,403 | 89,062 | 39.7 | 51.6 |
2003 | 2,112,104 | 0 | 342,132 | 870,639 | 3,365 | 796,317 | 99,651 | 37.7 | 50.6 |
2004 | 2,245,536 | 0 | 431,054 | 905,005 | 3,225 | 804,617 | 101,635 | 35.8 | 49.9 |
2005 | 2,322,911 | 0 | 560,261 | 881,661 | 3,115 | 779,921 | 97,953 | 33.6 | 49.8 |
2006 | 2,419,039 | 0 | 637,973 | 908,965 | 2,958 | 774,628 | 94,515 | 32.0 | 48.8 |
2007 | 2,438,121 | 0 | 657,445 | 921,457 | 2,832 | 764,744 | 91,643 | 31.4 | 48.1 |
2008 | 2,540,093 | 0 | 649,096 | 952,481 | 2,714 | 839,444 | 96,358 | 33.0 | 49.5 |
2009 | 2,858,139 | 0 | 688,521 | 1,119,145 | 2,709 | 931,498 | 116,266 | 32.6 | 48.3 |
2010 | 2,893,276 | 0 | 679,520 | 1,193,646 | 2,676 | 904,464 | 112,970 | 31.3 | 46.0 |
2011 | 2,797,305 | 0 | 619,542 | 1,205,910 | 2,789 | 864,185 | 104,879 | 30.9 | 44.5 |
2012 | 2,680,083 | 0 | 553,251 | 1,190,599 | 5,130 | 830,512 | 100,591 | 31.0 | 43.8 |
2013 | 2,396,661 | 0 | 438,734 | 1,100,229 | 4,571 | 761,598 | 91,529 | 31.8 | 43.6 |
2014 | 2,180,269 | 2,983 | 365,170 | 1,010,734 | 4,533 | 711,088 | 85,761 | 32.7 | 44.0 |
2015 | 2,074,329 | 3,244 | 337,477 | 975,663 | 4,706 | 669,125 | 84,114 | 32.3 | 43.4 |
2016 | 1,940,163 | 5,293 | 308,323 | 901,203 | 4,381 | 636,508 | 84,455 | 32.9 | 44.3 |
2017 | 1,823,020 | 10,051 | 279,571 | 839,388 | 4,447 | 603,353 | 86,210 | 33.3 | 45.0 |
2018 | 1,712,271 | 35,210 | 254,795 | 755,349 | 4,468 | 574,045 | 88,404 | 34.2 | 46.6 |
2019 | 1,701,369 | 106,827 | 241,913 | 712,013 | 4,374 | 547,596 | 88,646 | 34.3 | 47.0 |
2020 | 1,332,769 | 174,768 | 204,631 | 530,039 | 2,446 | 356,806 | 64,079 | 30.8 | 44.1 |
Under age 18 | |||||||||
1992 | 376,812 | 0 | 16,695 | 148,221 | 103 | 204,083 | 7,710 | 54.2 | 58.8 |
1993 | 500,676 | 0 | 18,788 | 240,668 | 135 | 232,344 | 8,741 | 46.4 | 50.0 |
1994 | 530,538 | 0 | 16,897 | 311,137 | 147 | 194,655 | 7,702 | 36.7 | 39.4 |
1995 | 491,638 | 0 | 14,364 | 306,298 | 92 | 163,896 | 6,988 | 33.3 | 35.8 |
1996 | 457,057 | 0 | 13,532 | 291,265 | 86 | 144,670 | 7,504 | 31.7 | 34.3 |
1997 | 334,975 | 0 | 10,906 | 195,730 | 69 | 121,439 | 6,831 | 36.3 | 39.6 |
1998 | 338,592 | 0 | 10,904 | 182,594 | 74 | 137,655 | 7,365 | 40.7 | 44.3 |
1999 | 345,067 | 0 | 11,898 | 182,426 | 68 | 142,863 | 7,812 | 41.4 | 45.2 |
2000 | 355,474 | 0 | 15,774 | 179,549 | 66 | 151,912 | 8,173 | 42.7 | 47.1 |
2001 | 375,950 | 0 | 18,708 | 182,089 | 61 | 166,280 | 8,812 | 44.2 | 49.0 |
2002 | 412,957 | 0 | 22,677 | 200,522 | 78 | 180,264 | 9,416 | 43.7 | 48.6 |
2003 | 438,572 | 0 | 25,776 | 214,609 | 65 | 188,119 | 10,003 | 42.9 | 48.0 |
2004 | 451,668 | 0 | 31,537 | 220,652 | 83 | 189,217 | 10,179 | 41.9 | 47.5 |
2005 | 445,100 | 0 | 46,751 | 210,476 | 101 | 177,541 | 10,231 | 39.9 | 47.1 |
2006 | 455,145 | 0 | 50,011 | 218,712 | 104 | 176,053 | 10,265 | 38.7 | 46.0 |
2007 | 457,405 | 0 | 53,081 | 219,101 | 119 | 175,209 | 9,895 | 38.3 | 45.8 |
2008 | 472,553 | 0 | 53,736 | 221,430 | 142 | 187,796 | 9,449 | 39.7 | 47.1 |
2009 | 539,818 | 0 | 57,847 | 258,665 | 134 | 211,806 | 11,366 | 39.2 | 46.3 |
2010 | 540,097 | 0 | 58,352 | 267,868 | 120 | 203,258 | 10,499 | 37.6 | 44.4 |
2011 | 526,805 | 0 | 55,680 | 264,949 | 124 | 196,019 | 10,033 | 37.2 | 43.7 |
2012 | 510,777 | 0 | 52,970 | 257,672 | 389 | 189,682 | 10,064 | 37.1 | 43.6 |
2013 | 460,277 | 0 | 44,660 | 233,586 | 379 | 171,758 | 9,894 | 37.3 | 43.7 |
2014 | 431,643 | 123 | 38,130 | 216,130 | 339 | 166,546 | 10,375 | 38.6 | 45.0 |
2015 | 433,855 | 160 | 39,097 | 213,530 | 408 | 168,892 | 11,768 | 38.9 | 45.8 |
2016 | 408,257 | 264 | 37,313 | 191,940 | 374 | 165,726 | 12,640 | 40.6 | 48.1 |
2017 | 388,406 | 573 | 34,789 | 177,885 | 386 | 161,646 | 13,127 | 41.7 | 49.5 |
2018 | 372,096 | 1,952 | 33,034 | 163,911 | 376 | 158,912 | 13,911 | 42.9 | 51.3 |
2019 | 362,231 | 4,999 | 32,990 | 151,966 | 278 | 158,111 | 13,887 | 44.3 | 53.0 |
2020 | 277,597 | 9,604 | 30,897 | 106,917 | 214 | 116,817 | 13,148 | 43.6 | 54.8 |
Aged 18–64 | |||||||||
1992 | 1,451,417 | 0 | 117,675 | 593,455 | 1,451 | 656,374 | 82,462 | 45.2 | 55.4 |
1993 | 1,547,527 | 0 | 122,364 | 696,934 | 1,463 | 646,157 | 80,609 | 41.8 | 51.0 |
1994 | 1,482,503 | 0 | 106,181 | 729,927 | 1,529 | 575,431 | 69,435 | 38.8 | 46.9 |
1995 | 1,351,903 | 0 | 88,839 | 688,438 | 1,245 | 519,041 | 54,340 | 38.4 | 45.4 |
1996 | 1,277,604 | 0 | 87,869 | 646,497 | 1,534 | 488,215 | 53,489 | 38.2 | 45.5 |
1997 | 1,135,602 | 0 | 78,303 | 541,988 | 1,456 | 461,006 | 52,849 | 40.6 | 48.6 |
1998 | 1,133,015 | 0 | 76,709 | 516,676 | 1,860 | 483,898 | 53,872 | 42.7 | 50.9 |
1999 | 1,133,722 | 0 | 83,733 | 505,160 | 1,542 | 487,862 | 55,425 | 43.0 | 51.7 |
2000 | 1,208,918 | 0 | 127,891 | 507,396 | 1,438 | 508,229 | 63,964 | 42.0 | 52.9 |
2001 | 1,323,001 | 0 | 167,603 | 542,407 | 1,436 | 540,288 | 71,267 | 40.8 | 52.9 |
2002 | 1,483,558 | 0 | 230,046 | 608,936 | 1,571 | 564,346 | 78,659 | 38.0 | 51.3 |
2003 | 1,615,400 | 0 | 287,669 | 655,234 | 1,765 | 581,908 | 88,824 | 36.0 | 50.5 |
2004 | 1,732,620 | 0 | 365,943 | 683,723 | 1,819 | 590,379 | 90,756 | 34.1 | 49.8 |
2005 | 1,804,002 | 0 | 470,955 | 670,649 | 1,917 | 573,360 | 87,121 | 31.8 | 49.5 |
2006 | 1,891,892 | 0 | 542,481 | 689,777 | 1,972 | 574,000 | 83,662 | 30.3 | 48.7 |
2007 | 1,908,581 | 0 | 557,111 | 682,469 | 1,947 | 585,747 | 81,307 | 30.7 | 49.4 |
2008 | 1,995,482 | 0 | 547,859 | 710,573 | 1,975 | 648,553 | 86,522 | 32.5 | 50.8 |
2009 | 2,242,960 | 0 | 580,565 | 839,062 | 2,033 | 716,739 | 104,561 | 32.0 | 49.4 |
2010 | 2,278,662 | 0 | 571,202 | 904,431 | 2,117 | 698,717 | 102,195 | 30.7 | 46.9 |
2011 | 2,196,343 | 0 | 514,359 | 918,817 | 2,288 | 666,257 | 94,622 | 30.3 | 45.2 |
2012 | 2,098,947 | 0 | 452,650 | 912,480 | 4,450 | 639,060 | 90,307 | 30.4 | 44.3 |
2013 | 1,870,250 | 0 | 350,849 | 845,547 | 3,931 | 588,478 | 81,445 | 31.5 | 44.1 |
2014 | 1,683,485 | 2,859 | 284,961 | 773,092 | 3,971 | 543,349 | 75,253 | 32.3 | 44.3 |
2015 | 1,575,596 | 3,084 | 256,785 | 740,357 | 4,088 | 499,096 | 72,186 | 31.7 | 43.4 |
2016 | 1,469,946 | 5,029 | 230,689 | 688,838 | 3,825 | 469,866 | 71,699 | 32.1 | 43.9 |
2017 | 1,379,120 | 9,475 | 207,867 | 644,021 | 3,907 | 440,891 | 72,959 | 32.2 | 44.2 |
2018 | 1,291,521 | 33,251 | 187,341 | 578,228 | 3,953 | 414,408 | 74,340 | 32.9 | 45.6 |
2019 | 1,293,679 | 101,820 | 177,118 | 547,313 | 3,971 | 388,825 | 74,632 | 32.6 | 45.7 |
2020 | 1,023,021 | 165,146 | 150,841 | 414,440 | 2,144 | 239,597 | 50,853 | 27.9 | 41.1 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | |||||||||
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2021. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2021. | |||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. Cases can be pending at the initial or appellate levels and can include either medical or technical issues. | |||||||||
Includes decisions for SSI-only applications and applications for both Social Security and SSI. Does not include Social Security–only applications. | |||||||||
a. Applications denied for nonmedical reasons so no decision was made on severity of impairment. | |||||||||
b. Applications denied for nonmedical reasons after a decision was made that applicant did not meet the medical severity criteria for disability benefits. | |||||||||
c. Applications denied for nonmedical reasons after a decision was made that applicant met the medical severity criteria for disability benefits. | |||||||||
d. Rate determined by dividing awards by all applications minus pending claims for that year. | |||||||||
e. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year. | |||||||||
f. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | |||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |
Year | All decisions | Decisions on applications for SSI only | Decisions on applications for both Social Security and SSI | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | |
All ages b | |||||||||
1992 | 1,694,513 | 686,962 | 40.5 | 946,348 | 399,334 | 42.2 | 748,165 | 287,628 | 38.4 |
1993 | 1,907,731 | 687,630 | 36.0 | 1,106,624 | 409,102 | 37.0 | 801,107 | 278,528 | 34.8 |
1994 | 1,891,324 | 577,721 | 30.5 | 1,105,532 | 335,756 | 30.4 | 785,792 | 241,965 | 30.8 |
1995 | 1,741,877 | 507,742 | 29.1 | 1,037,201 | 291,168 | 28.1 | 704,676 | 216,574 | 30.7 |
1996 | 1,673,743 | 508,931 | 30.4 | 1,000,530 | 296,655 | 29.6 | 673,213 | 212,276 | 31.5 |
1997 | 1,407,825 | 459,297 | 32.6 | 820,527 | 260,354 | 31.7 | 587,298 | 198,943 | 33.9 |
1998 | 1,424,548 | 520,690 | 36.6 | 843,671 | 304,856 | 36.1 | 580,877 | 215,834 | 37.2 |
1999 | 1,422,398 | 531,498 | 37.4 | 843,031 | 312,871 | 37.1 | 579,367 | 218,627 | 37.7 |
2000 | 1,456,431 | 554,432 | 38.1 | 845,774 | 320,683 | 37.9 | 610,657 | 233,749 | 38.3 |
2001 | 1,546,094 | 592,932 | 38.4 | 860,944 | 337,508 | 39.2 | 685,150 | 255,424 | 37.3 |
2002 | 1,680,573 | 616,501 | 36.7 | 904,251 | 344,833 | 38.1 | 776,322 | 271,668 | 35.0 |
2003 | 1,769,972 | 631,320 | 35.7 | 917,456 | 343,711 | 37.5 | 852,516 | 287,609 | 33.7 |
2004 | 1,814,482 | 639,585 | 35.2 | 917,579 | 342,192 | 37.3 | 896,903 | 297,393 | 33.2 |
2005 | 1,762,650 | 616,349 | 35.0 | 888,937 | 328,359 | 36.9 | 873,713 | 287,990 | 33.0 |
2006 | 1,781,066 | 602,322 | 33.8 | 894,456 | 316,937 | 35.4 | 886,610 | 285,385 | 32.2 |
2007 | 1,780,676 | 582,229 | 32.7 | 889,279 | 305,775 | 34.4 | 891,397 | 276,454 | 31.0 |
2008 | 1,890,997 | 636,468 | 33.7 | 947,071 | 332,823 | 35.1 | 943,926 | 303,645 | 32.2 |
2009 | 2,169,618 | 719,044 | 33.1 | 1,095,552 | 378,419 | 34.5 | 1,074,066 | 340,625 | 31.7 |
2010 | 2,213,756 | 694,168 | 31.4 | 1,109,791 | 361,154 | 32.5 | 1,103,965 | 333,014 | 30.2 |
2011 | 2,177,763 | 658,464 | 30.2 | 1,101,503 | 343,871 | 31.2 | 1,076,260 | 314,593 | 29.2 |
2012 | 2,123,375 | 642,687 | 30.3 | 1,087,692 | 339,161 | 31.2 | 1,035,683 | 303,526 | 29.3 |
2013 | 1,954,560 | 592,156 | 30.3 | 1,013,212 | 314,904 | 31.1 | 941,348 | 277,252 | 29.5 |
2014 | 1,811,579 | 558,495 | 30.8 | 960,569 | 306,433 | 31.9 | 851,010 | 252,062 | 29.6 |
2015 | 1,733,107 | 542,603 | 31.3 | 949,644 | 307,524 | 32.4 | 783,463 | 235,079 | 30.0 |
2016 | 1,628,366 | 528,062 | 32.4 | 900,485 | 304,670 | 33.8 | 727,881 | 223,392 | 30.7 |
2017 | 1,539,961 | 515,282 | 33.5 | 847,623 | 296,843 | 35.0 | 692,338 | 218,439 | 31.6 |
2018 | 1,453,719 | 500,464 | 34.4 | 803,118 | 291,320 | 36.3 | 650,601 | 209,144 | 32.1 |
2019 | 1,455,245 | 504,844 | 34.7 | 805,156 | 301,507 | 37.4 | 650,089 | 203,337 | 31.3 |
2020 | 1,123,350 | 387,221 | 34.5 | 628,918 | 238,703 | 38.0 | 494,432 | 148,518 | 30.0 |
Under age 18 | |||||||||
1992 | 360,117 | 194,494 | 54.0 | 329,316 | 176,929 | 53.7 | 30,801 | 17,565 | 57.0 |
1993 | 481,888 | 218,724 | 45.4 | 443,778 | 200,206 | 45.1 | 38,110 | 18,518 | 48.6 |
1994 | 513,641 | 177,660 | 34.6 | 475,233 | 164,436 | 34.6 | 38,408 | 13,224 | 34.4 |
1995 | 477,274 | 149,140 | 31.2 | 443,367 | 138,959 | 31.3 | 33,907 | 10,181 | 30.0 |
1996 | 443,525 | 133,375 | 30.1 | 413,379 | 124,846 | 30.2 | 30,146 | 8,529 | 28.3 |
1997 | 324,069 | 112,387 | 34.7 | 302,540 | 105,366 | 34.8 | 21,529 | 7,021 | 32.6 |
1998 | 327,688 | 129,729 | 39.6 | 306,164 | 121,371 | 39.6 | 21,524 | 8,358 | 38.8 |
1999 | 333,169 | 135,117 | 40.6 | 310,763 | 126,253 | 40.6 | 22,406 | 8,864 | 39.6 |
2000 | 339,700 | 143,488 | 42.2 | 316,325 | 133,675 | 42.3 | 23,375 | 9,813 | 42.0 |
2001 | 357,242 | 157,781 | 44.2 | 332,701 | 146,810 | 44.1 | 24,541 | 10,971 | 44.7 |
2002 | 390,280 | 170,519 | 43.7 | 363,007 | 158,369 | 43.6 | 27,273 | 12,150 | 44.5 |
2003 | 412,796 | 178,051 | 43.1 | 384,457 | 165,640 | 43.1 | 28,339 | 12,411 | 43.8 |
2004 | 420,131 | 180,180 | 42.9 | 391,024 | 167,412 | 42.8 | 29,107 | 12,768 | 43.9 |
2005 | 398,349 | 169,033 | 42.4 | 369,914 | 156,928 | 42.4 | 28,435 | 12,105 | 42.6 |
2006 | 405,134 | 166,092 | 41.0 | 376,681 | 154,486 | 41.0 | 28,453 | 11,606 | 40.8 |
2007 | 404,324 | 164,500 | 40.7 | 374,495 | 152,314 | 40.7 | 29,829 | 12,186 | 40.9 |
2008 | 418,817 | 174,936 | 41.8 | 388,313 | 162,193 | 41.8 | 30,504 | 12,743 | 41.8 |
2009 | 481,971 | 198,403 | 41.2 | 446,904 | 183,948 | 41.2 | 35,067 | 14,455 | 41.2 |
2010 | 481,745 | 190,100 | 39.5 | 446,165 | 176,200 | 39.5 | 35,580 | 13,900 | 39.1 |
2011 | 471,125 | 183,203 | 38.9 | 436,510 | 170,213 | 39.0 | 34,615 | 12,990 | 37.5 |
2012 | 457,485 | 178,811 | 39.1 | 424,584 | 166,465 | 39.2 | 32,901 | 12,346 | 37.5 |
2013 | 415,283 | 163,257 | 39.3 | 385,911 | 152,306 | 39.5 | 29,372 | 10,951 | 37.3 |
2014 | 393,220 | 160,360 | 40.8 | 365,834 | 150,057 | 41.0 | 27,386 | 10,303 | 37.6 |
2015 | 394,401 | 165,732 | 42.0 | 367,064 | 155,103 | 42.3 | 27,337 | 10,629 | 38.9 |
2016 | 370,618 | 164,333 | 44.3 | 345,848 | 154,210 | 44.6 | 24,770 | 10,123 | 40.9 |
2017 | 353,273 | 161,508 | 45.7 | 329,508 | 151,474 | 46.0 | 23,765 | 10,034 | 42.2 |
2018 | 338,732 | 160,357 | 47.3 | 316,143 | 150,506 | 47.6 | 22,589 | 9,851 | 43.6 |
2019 | 328,956 | 161,734 | 49.2 | 308,688 | 153,010 | 49.6 | 20,268 | 8,724 | 43.0 |
2020 | 246,084 | 125,949 | 51.2 | 232,604 | 120,382 | 51.8 | 13,480 | 5,567 | 41.3 |
Aged 18–64 | |||||||||
1992 | 1,333,742 | 492,046 | 36.9 | 616,523 | 222,077 | 36.0 | 717,219 | 269,969 | 37.6 |
1993 | 1,425,163 | 468,477 | 32.9 | 662,298 | 208,554 | 31.5 | 762,865 | 259,923 | 34.1 |
1994 | 1,376,322 | 399,267 | 29.0 | 629,051 | 170,618 | 27.1 | 747,271 | 228,649 | 30.6 |
1995 | 1,263,064 | 357,732 | 28.3 | 592,390 | 151,417 | 25.6 | 670,674 | 206,315 | 30.8 |
1996 | 1,189,735 | 338,209 | 28.4 | 555,158 | 142,505 | 25.7 | 634,577 | 195,704 | 30.8 |
1997 | 1,057,299 | 324,213 | 30.7 | 498,637 | 139,003 | 27.9 | 558,662 | 185,210 | 33.2 |
1998 | 1,056,306 | 356,592 | 33.8 | 506,024 | 157,861 | 31.2 | 550,282 | 198,731 | 36.1 |
1999 | 1,049,989 | 362,246 | 34.5 | 502,870 | 162,036 | 32.2 | 547,119 | 200,210 | 36.6 |
2000 | 1,081,027 | 379,717 | 35.1 | 503,788 | 165,543 | 32.9 | 577,239 | 214,174 | 37.1 |
2001 | 1,155,398 | 405,803 | 35.1 | 505,146 | 171,400 | 33.9 | 650,252 | 234,403 | 36.0 |
2002 | 1,253,512 | 413,583 | 33.0 | 515,932 | 165,177 | 32.0 | 737,580 | 248,406 | 33.7 |
2003 | 1,327,731 | 427,173 | 32.2 | 515,627 | 163,726 | 31.8 | 812,104 | 263,447 | 32.4 |
2004 | 1,366,677 | 434,571 | 31.8 | 511,649 | 162,380 | 31.7 | 855,028 | 272,191 | 31.8 |
2005 | 1,333,047 | 418,474 | 31.4 | 501,512 | 156,015 | 31.1 | 831,535 | 262,459 | 31.6 |
2006 | 1,349,411 | 411,783 | 30.5 | 504,810 | 151,248 | 30.0 | 844,601 | 260,535 | 30.8 |
2007 | 1,351,470 | 413,771 | 30.6 | 503,679 | 149,772 | 29.7 | 847,791 | 263,999 | 31.1 |
2008 | 1,447,623 | 458,274 | 31.7 | 547,684 | 167,662 | 30.6 | 899,939 | 290,612 | 32.3 |
2009 | 1,662,395 | 517,545 | 31.1 | 636,810 | 191,630 | 30.1 | 1,025,585 | 325,915 | 31.8 |
2010 | 1,707,460 | 501,488 | 29.4 | 653,083 | 182,656 | 28.0 | 1,054,377 | 318,832 | 30.2 |
2011 | 1,681,984 | 473,246 | 28.1 | 654,730 | 171,854 | 26.2 | 1,027,254 | 301,392 | 29.3 |
2012 | 1,643,163 | 462,002 | 28.1 | 653,942 | 171,020 | 26.2 | 989,221 | 290,982 | 29.4 |
2013 | 1,516,371 | 427,423 | 28.2 | 617,666 | 161,321 | 26.1 | 898,705 | 266,102 | 29.6 |
2014 | 1,395,299 | 396,903 | 28.4 | 584,446 | 155,301 | 26.6 | 810,853 | 241,602 | 29.8 |
2015 | 1,315,428 | 375,654 | 28.6 | 571,370 | 151,364 | 26.5 | 744,058 | 224,290 | 30.1 |
2016 | 1,236,111 | 362,761 | 29.3 | 544,731 | 149,662 | 27.5 | 691,380 | 213,099 | 30.8 |
2017 | 1,168,111 | 352,892 | 30.2 | 511,588 | 144,646 | 28.3 | 656,523 | 208,246 | 31.7 |
2018 | 1,100,755 | 339,277 | 30.8 | 482,675 | 140,133 | 29.0 | 618,080 | 199,144 | 32.2 |
2019 | 1,112,635 | 342,359 | 30.8 | 492,217 | 147,912 | 30.1 | 620,418 | 194,447 | 31.3 |
2020 | 868,010 | 260,821 | 30.0 | 393,457 | 117,977 | 30.0 | 474,553 | 142,844 | 30.1 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | |||||||||
NOTES: Data are current through June 2021. | |||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. | |||||||||
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons. | |||||||||
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year. | |||||||||
b. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | |||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |
Year | All decisions | Decisions on applications for SSI only | Decisions on applications for both Social Security and SSI | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | |
All ages b | |||||||||
1992 | 479,152 | 74,500 | 15.5 | 234,057 | 38,371 | 16.4 | 245,095 | 36,129 | 14.7 |
1993 | 557,384 | 75,559 | 13.6 | 280,174 | 38,663 | 13.8 | 277,210 | 36,896 | 13.3 |
1994 | 571,602 | 73,734 | 12.9 | 290,341 | 36,826 | 12.7 | 281,261 | 36,908 | 13.1 |
1995 | 522,987 | 66,780 | 12.8 | 275,013 | 33,432 | 12.2 | 247,974 | 33,348 | 13.4 |
1996 | 480,593 | 65,352 | 13.6 | 249,224 | 32,510 | 13.0 | 231,369 | 32,842 | 14.2 |
1997 | 409,396 | 62,496 | 15.3 | 208,993 | 31,881 | 15.3 | 200,403 | 30,615 | 15.3 |
1998 | 390,212 | 61,264 | 15.7 | 203,132 | 31,818 | 15.7 | 187,080 | 29,446 | 15.7 |
1999 | 382,196 | 55,620 | 14.6 | 197,671 | 28,498 | 14.4 | 184,525 | 27,122 | 14.7 |
2000 | 394,662 | 52,402 | 13.3 | 197,882 | 25,633 | 13.0 | 196,780 | 26,769 | 13.6 |
2001 | 419,766 | 53,611 | 12.8 | 196,541 | 25,001 | 12.7 | 223,225 | 28,610 | 12.8 |
2002 | 472,269 | 56,444 | 12.0 | 209,695 | 25,435 | 12.1 | 262,574 | 31,009 | 11.8 |
2003 | 502,907 | 58,160 | 11.6 | 209,116 | 24,920 | 11.9 | 293,791 | 33,240 | 11.3 |
2004 | 503,680 | 55,577 | 11.0 | 200,185 | 23,206 | 11.6 | 303,495 | 32,371 | 10.7 |
2005 | 487,236 | 53,613 | 11.0 | 195,288 | 23,049 | 11.8 | 291,948 | 30,564 | 10.5 |
2006 | 498,326 | 54,746 | 11.0 | 199,663 | 23,323 | 11.7 | 298,663 | 31,423 | 10.5 |
2007 | 513,013 | 58,562 | 11.4 | 206,399 | 24,482 | 11.9 | 306,614 | 34,080 | 11.1 |
2008 | 570,374 | 65,626 | 11.5 | 234,444 | 28,071 | 12.0 | 335,930 | 37,555 | 11.2 |
2009 | 670,502 | 70,983 | 10.6 | 280,394 | 30,699 | 10.9 | 390,108 | 40,284 | 10.3 |
2010 | 712,027 | 67,890 | 9.5 | 295,969 | 29,358 | 9.9 | 416,058 | 38,532 | 9.3 |
2011 | 726,028 | 67,552 | 9.3 | 306,412 | 29,271 | 9.6 | 419,616 | 38,281 | 9.1 |
2012 | 707,850 | 65,668 | 9.3 | 303,106 | 28,719 | 9.5 | 404,744 | 36,949 | 9.1 |
2013 | 652,541 | 58,196 | 8.9 | 281,752 | 25,746 | 9.1 | 370,789 | 32,450 | 8.8 |
2014 | 590,007 | 55,206 | 9.4 | 257,807 | 24,883 | 9.7 | 332,200 | 30,323 | 9.1 |
2015 | 523,390 | 53,612 | 10.2 | 235,742 | 24,798 | 10.5 | 287,648 | 28,814 | 10.0 |
2016 | 481,122 | 51,298 | 10.7 | 219,593 | 24,074 | 11.0 | 261,529 | 27,224 | 10.4 |
2017 | 444,214 | 48,503 | 10.9 | 203,136 | 22,773 | 11.2 | 241,078 | 25,730 | 10.7 |
2018 | 419,762 | 50,758 | 12.1 | 192,259 | 24,039 | 12.5 | 227,503 | 26,719 | 11.7 |
2019 | 394,794 | 55,795 | 14.1 | 179,394 | 25,914 | 14.4 | 215,400 | 29,881 | 13.9 |
2020 | 201,090 | 24,156 | 12.0 | 93,083 | 11,942 | 12.8 | 108,007 | 12,214 | 11.3 |
Under age 18 | |||||||||
1992 | 49,099 | 9,570 | 19.5 | 44,562 | 8,590 | 19.3 | 4,537 | 980 | 21.6 |
1993 | 75,816 | 11,440 | 15.1 | 69,176 | 10,355 | 15.0 | 6,640 | 1,085 | 16.3 |
1994 | 91,854 | 11,475 | 12.5 | 83,789 | 10,461 | 12.5 | 8,065 | 1,014 | 12.6 |
1995 | 86,651 | 10,459 | 12.1 | 79,397 | 9,625 | 12.1 | 7,254 | 834 | 11.5 |
1996 | 74,836 | 9,646 | 12.9 | 68,797 | 8,863 | 12.9 | 6,039 | 783 | 13.0 |
1997 | 51,365 | 8,583 | 16.7 | 47,131 | 7,883 | 16.7 | 4,234 | 700 | 16.5 |
1998 | 49,909 | 8,042 | 16.1 | 45,989 | 7,417 | 16.1 | 3,920 | 625 | 15.9 |
1999 | 49,456 | 7,476 | 15.1 | 45,465 | 6,839 | 15.0 | 3,991 | 637 | 16.0 |
2000 | 49,350 | 7,232 | 14.7 | 45,330 | 6,650 | 14.7 | 4,020 | 582 | 14.5 |
2001 | 50,676 | 7,463 | 14.7 | 46,575 | 6,841 | 14.7 | 4,101 | 622 | 15.2 |
2002 | 57,688 | 8,120 | 14.1 | 52,949 | 7,361 | 13.9 | 4,739 | 759 | 16.0 |
2003 | 61,737 | 8,698 | 14.1 | 56,681 | 7,901 | 13.9 | 5,056 | 797 | 15.8 |
2004 | 60,382 | 8,122 | 13.5 | 55,394 | 7,424 | 13.4 | 4,988 | 698 | 14.0 |
2005 | 57,383 | 8,191 | 14.3 | 52,552 | 7,495 | 14.3 | 4,831 | 696 | 14.4 |
2006 | 60,742 | 8,670 | 14.3 | 55,704 | 7,930 | 14.2 | 5,038 | 740 | 14.7 |
2007 | 62,301 | 8,735 | 14.0 | 56,931 | 7,970 | 14.0 | 5,370 | 765 | 14.2 |
2008 | 68,493 | 9,910 | 14.5 | 62,718 | 9,048 | 14.4 | 5,775 | 862 | 14.9 |
2009 | 82,529 | 11,024 | 13.4 | 75,677 | 10,027 | 13.2 | 6,852 | 997 | 14.6 |
2010 | 84,992 | 10,926 | 12.9 | 77,911 | 9,981 | 12.8 | 7,081 | 945 | 13.3 |
2011 | 85,004 | 10,585 | 12.5 | 77,977 | 9,717 | 12.5 | 7,027 | 868 | 12.4 |
2012 | 81,676 | 9,973 | 12.2 | 75,111 | 9,143 | 12.2 | 6,565 | 830 | 12.6 |
2013 | 70,802 | 8,551 | 12.1 | 65,101 | 7,877 | 12.1 | 5,701 | 674 | 11.8 |
2014 | 61,316 | 8,011 | 13.1 | 56,404 | 7,351 | 13.0 | 4,912 | 660 | 13.4 |
2015 | 55,305 | 7,868 | 14.2 | 50,823 | 7,225 | 14.2 | 4,482 | 643 | 14.3 |
2016 | 50,396 | 7,677 | 15.2 | 46,485 | 7,060 | 15.2 | 3,911 | 617 | 15.8 |
2017 | 48,016 | 7,366 | 15.3 | 44,175 | 6,769 | 15.3 | 3,841 | 597 | 15.5 |
2018 | 43,681 | 7,581 | 17.4 | 40,184 | 6,963 | 17.3 | 3,497 | 618 | 17.7 |
2019 | 37,214 | 7,288 | 19.6 | 34,476 | 6,774 | 19.6 | 2,738 | 514 | 18.8 |
2020 | 18,131 | 3,666 | 20.2 | 16,896 | 3,432 | 20.3 | 1,235 | 234 | 18.9 |
Aged 18–64 | |||||||||
1992 | 429,944 | 64,891 | 15.1 | 189,409 | 29,744 | 15.7 | 240,535 | 35,147 | 14.6 |
1993 | 481,434 | 64,074 | 13.3 | 210,882 | 28,268 | 13.4 | 270,552 | 35,806 | 13.2 |
1994 | 479,439 | 62,150 | 13.0 | 206,253 | 26,260 | 12.7 | 273,186 | 35,890 | 13.1 |
1995 | 435,988 | 56,205 | 12.9 | 195,281 | 23,695 | 12.1 | 240,707 | 32,510 | 13.5 |
1996 | 403,309 | 54,194 | 13.4 | 178,404 | 22,457 | 12.6 | 224,905 | 31,737 | 14.1 |
1997 | 355,514 | 52,588 | 14.8 | 159,694 | 22,951 | 14.4 | 195,820 | 29,637 | 15.1 |
1998 | 337,411 | 51,757 | 15.3 | 154,436 | 23,051 | 14.9 | 182,975 | 28,706 | 15.7 |
1999 | 330,830 | 47,239 | 14.3 | 150,460 | 20,861 | 13.9 | 180,370 | 26,378 | 14.6 |
2000 | 343,707 | 44,502 | 12.9 | 151,099 | 18,411 | 12.2 | 192,608 | 26,091 | 13.5 |
2001 | 367,515 | 45,455 | 12.4 | 148,582 | 17,596 | 11.8 | 218,933 | 27,859 | 12.7 |
2002 | 412,619 | 47,420 | 11.5 | 155,025 | 17,347 | 11.2 | 257,594 | 30,073 | 11.7 |
2003 | 439,703 | 48,840 | 11.1 | 151,200 | 16,549 | 10.9 | 288,503 | 32,291 | 11.2 |
2004 | 442,103 | 46,926 | 10.6 | 143,824 | 15,416 | 10.7 | 298,279 | 31,510 | 10.6 |
2005 | 428,808 | 44,793 | 10.4 | 141,922 | 15,112 | 10.6 | 286,886 | 29,681 | 10.3 |
2006 | 436,664 | 45,505 | 10.4 | 143,274 | 15,014 | 10.5 | 293,390 | 30,491 | 10.4 |
2007 | 449,903 | 49,643 | 11.0 | 148,909 | 16,342 | 11.0 | 300,994 | 33,301 | 11.1 |
2008 | 501,120 | 55,574 | 11.1 | 171,239 | 18,893 | 11.0 | 329,881 | 36,681 | 11.1 |
2009 | 587,281 | 59,836 | 10.2 | 204,295 | 20,564 | 10.1 | 382,986 | 39,272 | 10.3 |
2010 | 626,370 | 56,861 | 9.1 | 217,664 | 19,283 | 8.9 | 408,706 | 37,578 | 9.2 |
2011 | 640,437 | 56,890 | 8.9 | 228,099 | 19,486 | 8.5 | 412,338 | 37,404 | 9.1 |
2012 | 625,676 | 55,614 | 8.9 | 227,741 | 19,513 | 8.6 | 397,935 | 36,101 | 9.1 |
2013 | 581,369 | 49,594 | 8.5 | 216,445 | 17,827 | 8.2 | 364,924 | 31,767 | 8.7 |
2014 | 528,253 | 47,132 | 8.9 | 201,134 | 17,475 | 8.7 | 327,119 | 29,657 | 9.1 |
2015 | 467,625 | 45,701 | 9.8 | 184,669 | 17,538 | 9.5 | 282,956 | 28,163 | 10.0 |
2016 | 430,342 | 43,582 | 10.1 | 172,911 | 16,984 | 9.8 | 257,431 | 26,598 | 10.3 |
2017 | 395,881 | 41,101 | 10.4 | 158,824 | 15,974 | 10.1 | 237,057 | 25,127 | 10.6 |
2018 | 375,836 | 43,145 | 11.5 | 151,966 | 17,046 | 11.2 | 223,870 | 26,099 | 11.7 |
2019 | 357,379 | 48,477 | 13.6 | 144,825 | 19,118 | 13.2 | 212,554 | 29,359 | 13.8 |
2020 | 182,776 | 20,475 | 11.2 | 76,110 | 8,497 | 11.2 | 106,666 | 11,978 | 11.2 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | |||||||||
NOTES: Data are current through June 2021. | |||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. | |||||||||
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons. | |||||||||
Beginning on October 1, 1999, a revised process was tested in 10 states, under which initial denials could be appealed directly to the hearing level without a reconsideration. The process was phased out beginning on January 1, 2019, and by March 31, 2020, the reconsideration step had been reinstated in all 10 test states. | |||||||||
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year. | |||||||||
b. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | |||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |
Year | All decisions | Decisions on applications for SSI only | Decisions on applications for both Social Security and SSI | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | Total | Allowances | Allowance rate a (percent) | |
All ages b | |||||||||
1992 | 280,751 | 189,656 | 67.6 | 128,789 | 79,307 | 61.6 | 151,962 | 110,349 | 72.6 |
1993 | 327,271 | 205,185 | 62.7 | 153,126 | 85,195 | 55.6 | 174,145 | 119,990 | 68.9 |
1994 | 333,329 | 196,756 | 59.0 | 156,584 | 80,594 | 51.5 | 176,745 | 116,162 | 65.7 |
1995 | 300,958 | 170,826 | 56.8 | 145,570 | 70,445 | 48.4 | 155,388 | 100,381 | 64.6 |
1996 | 271,977 | 159,167 | 58.5 | 128,712 | 64,430 | 50.1 | 143,265 | 94,737 | 66.1 |
1997 | 238,765 | 145,150 | 60.8 | 112,218 | 59,766 | 53.3 | 126,547 | 85,384 | 67.5 |
1998 | 224,761 | 137,432 | 61.1 | 107,693 | 58,028 | 53.9 | 117,068 | 79,404 | 67.8 |
1999 | 231,530 | 142,355 | 61.5 | 111,215 | 59,903 | 53.9 | 120,315 | 82,452 | 68.5 |
2000 | 260,933 | 157,787 | 60.5 | 124,028 | 65,071 | 52.5 | 136,905 | 92,716 | 67.7 |
2001 | 283,318 | 170,567 | 60.2 | 126,615 | 65,611 | 51.8 | 156,703 | 104,956 | 67.0 |
2002 | 321,418 | 193,520 | 60.2 | 134,930 | 69,256 | 51.3 | 186,488 | 124,264 | 66.6 |
2003 | 340,589 | 206,488 | 60.6 | 131,931 | 67,627 | 51.3 | 208,658 | 138,861 | 66.5 |
2004 | 343,014 | 211,090 | 61.5 | 125,640 | 65,327 | 52.0 | 217,374 | 145,763 | 67.1 |
2005 | 332,314 | 207,912 | 62.6 | 122,476 | 65,009 | 53.1 | 209,838 | 142,903 | 68.1 |
2006 | 341,311 | 212,075 | 62.1 | 125,151 | 66,322 | 53.0 | 216,160 | 145,753 | 67.4 |
2007 | 350,901 | 215,596 | 61.4 | 129,494 | 68,576 | 53.0 | 221,407 | 147,020 | 66.4 |
2008 | 392,712 | 233,708 | 59.5 | 149,118 | 76,304 | 51.2 | 243,594 | 157,404 | 64.6 |
2009 | 469,748 | 257,737 | 54.9 | 182,352 | 85,319 | 46.8 | 287,396 | 172,418 | 60.0 |
2010 | 511,296 | 255,376 | 49.9 | 197,499 | 82,782 | 41.9 | 313,797 | 172,594 | 55.0 |
2011 | 527,247 | 243,048 | 46.1 | 207,726 | 79,962 | 38.5 | 319,521 | 163,086 | 51.0 |
2012 | 516,465 | 222,524 | 43.1 | 206,458 | 74,313 | 36.0 | 310,007 | 148,211 | 47.8 |
2013 | 485,716 | 202,547 | 41.7 | 196,644 | 69,449 | 35.3 | 289,072 | 133,098 | 46.0 |
2014 | 429,449 | 182,890 | 42.6 | 174,804 | 64,283 | 36.8 | 254,645 | 118,607 | 46.6 |
2015 | 371,207 | 156,786 | 42.2 | 155,881 | 56,369 | 36.2 | 215,326 | 100,417 | 46.6 |
2016 | 335,606 | 141,345 | 42.1 | 142,701 | 52,253 | 36.6 | 192,905 | 89,092 | 46.2 |
2017 | 299,611 | 125,544 | 41.9 | 127,356 | 46,311 | 36.4 | 172,255 | 79,233 | 46.0 |
2018 | 251,455 | 110,985 | 44.1 | 105,915 | 40,809 | 38.5 | 145,540 | 70,176 | 48.2 |
2019 | 152,168 | 75,363 | 49.5 | 61,377 | 27,088 | 44.1 | 90,791 | 48,275 | 53.2 |
2020 | 25,401 | 9,340 | 36.8 | 10,302 | 3,240 | 31.5 | 15,099 | 6,100 | 40.4 |
Under age 18 | |||||||||
1992 | 19,988 | 7,729 | 38.7 | 17,979 | 6,890 | 38.3 | 2,009 | 839 | 41.8 |
1993 | 31,658 | 10,921 | 34.5 | 28,625 | 9,784 | 34.2 | 3,033 | 1,137 | 37.5 |
1994 | 38,751 | 13,222 | 34.1 | 34,869 | 11,860 | 34.0 | 3,882 | 1,362 | 35.1 |
1995 | 35,856 | 11,285 | 31.5 | 32,428 | 10,131 | 31.2 | 3,428 | 1,154 | 33.7 |
1996 | 28,105 | 9,153 | 32.6 | 25,589 | 8,295 | 32.4 | 2,516 | 858 | 34.1 |
1997 | 19,549 | 7,300 | 37.3 | 17,723 | 6,594 | 37.2 | 1,826 | 706 | 38.7 |
1998 | 18,904 | 7,249 | 38.3 | 17,199 | 6,550 | 38.1 | 1,705 | 699 | 41.0 |
1999 | 20,903 | 8,082 | 38.7 | 18,986 | 7,293 | 38.4 | 1,917 | 789 | 41.2 |
2000 | 25,201 | 9,365 | 37.2 | 22,916 | 8,426 | 36.8 | 2,285 | 939 | 41.1 |
2001 | 26,841 | 9,848 | 36.7 | 24,497 | 8,899 | 36.3 | 2,344 | 949 | 40.5 |
2002 | 30,504 | 11,041 | 36.2 | 27,854 | 9,987 | 35.9 | 2,650 | 1,054 | 39.8 |
2003 | 31,571 | 11,373 | 36.0 | 28,731 | 10,243 | 35.7 | 2,840 | 1,130 | 39.8 |
2004 | 30,687 | 11,094 | 36.2 | 27,902 | 9,942 | 35.6 | 2,785 | 1,152 | 41.4 |
2005 | 28,714 | 10,548 | 36.7 | 26,065 | 9,427 | 36.2 | 2,649 | 1,121 | 42.3 |
2006 | 30,185 | 11,556 | 38.3 | 27,450 | 10,375 | 37.8 | 2,735 | 1,181 | 43.2 |
2007 | 30,931 | 11,869 | 38.4 | 27,929 | 10,562 | 37.8 | 3,002 | 1,307 | 43.5 |
2008 | 33,949 | 12,399 | 36.5 | 30,726 | 11,043 | 35.9 | 3,223 | 1,356 | 42.1 |
2009 | 42,341 | 13,745 | 32.5 | 38,455 | 12,293 | 32.0 | 3,886 | 1,452 | 37.4 |
2010 | 43,599 | 12,731 | 29.2 | 39,612 | 11,430 | 28.9 | 3,987 | 1,301 | 32.6 |
2011 | 44,227 | 12,264 | 27.7 | 40,260 | 10,972 | 27.3 | 3,967 | 1,292 | 32.6 |
2012 | 42,341 | 10,957 | 25.9 | 38,613 | 9,867 | 25.6 | 3,728 | 1,090 | 29.2 |
2013 | 37,144 | 9,829 | 26.5 | 33,934 | 8,854 | 26.1 | 3,210 | 975 | 30.4 |
2014 | 30,576 | 8,540 | 27.9 | 27,926 | 7,749 | 27.7 | 2,650 | 791 | 29.8 |
2015 | 26,451 | 7,049 | 26.6 | 24,085 | 6,319 | 26.2 | 2,366 | 730 | 30.9 |
2016 | 22,844 | 6,345 | 27.8 | 20,919 | 5,759 | 27.5 | 1,925 | 586 | 30.4 |
2017 | 20,587 | 5,888 | 28.6 | 18,786 | 5,317 | 28.3 | 1,801 | 571 | 31.7 |
2018 | 15,801 | 4,874 | 30.8 | 14,397 | 4,380 | 30.4 | 1,404 | 494 | 35.2 |
2019 | 7,858 | 2,966 | 37.7 | 7,188 | 2,683 | 37.3 | 670 | 283 | 42.2 |
2020 | 1,145 | 341 | 29.8 | 1,068 | 317 | 29.7 | 77 | 24 | 31.2 |
Aged 18–64 | |||||||||
1992 | 260,727 | 181,899 | 69.8 | 110,785 | 72,398 | 65.4 | 149,942 | 109,501 | 73.0 |
1993 | 295,551 | 194,215 | 65.7 | 124,445 | 75,368 | 60.6 | 171,106 | 118,847 | 69.5 |
1994 | 294,441 | 183,449 | 62.3 | 121,584 | 68,654 | 56.5 | 172,857 | 114,795 | 66.4 |
1995 | 264,954 | 159,444 | 60.2 | 113,002 | 60,224 | 53.3 | 151,952 | 99,220 | 65.3 |
1996 | 243,064 | 149,301 | 61.4 | 102,414 | 55,516 | 54.2 | 140,650 | 93,785 | 66.7 |
1997 | 218,255 | 137,054 | 62.8 | 93,599 | 52,430 | 56.0 | 124,656 | 84,624 | 67.9 |
1998 | 204,894 | 129,421 | 63.2 | 89,580 | 50,760 | 56.7 | 115,314 | 78,661 | 68.2 |
1999 | 210,020 | 133,802 | 63.7 | 91,668 | 52,179 | 56.9 | 118,352 | 81,623 | 69.0 |
2000 | 235,110 | 147,974 | 62.9 | 100,534 | 56,232 | 55.9 | 134,576 | 91,742 | 68.2 |
2001 | 255,887 | 160,297 | 62.6 | 101,572 | 56,321 | 55.4 | 154,315 | 103,976 | 67.4 |
2002 | 290,161 | 182,002 | 62.7 | 106,370 | 58,825 | 55.3 | 183,791 | 123,177 | 67.0 |
2003 | 308,419 | 194,719 | 63.1 | 102,667 | 57,040 | 55.6 | 205,752 | 137,679 | 66.9 |
2004 | 311,827 | 199,638 | 64.0 | 97,293 | 55,061 | 56.6 | 214,534 | 144,577 | 67.4 |
2005 | 303,336 | 197,214 | 65.0 | 96,180 | 55,454 | 57.7 | 207,156 | 141,760 | 68.4 |
2006 | 310,911 | 200,374 | 64.4 | 97,519 | 55,831 | 57.3 | 213,392 | 144,543 | 67.7 |
2007 | 319,768 | 203,640 | 63.7 | 101,391 | 57,938 | 57.1 | 218,377 | 145,702 | 66.7 |
2008 | 358,599 | 221,227 | 61.7 | 118,256 | 65,188 | 55.1 | 240,343 | 156,039 | 64.9 |
2009 | 427,252 | 243,919 | 57.1 | 143,778 | 72,967 | 50.7 | 283,474 | 170,952 | 60.3 |
2010 | 467,527 | 242,563 | 51.9 | 157,753 | 71,284 | 45.2 | 309,774 | 171,279 | 55.3 |
2011 | 482,914 | 230,743 | 47.8 | 167,385 | 68,957 | 41.2 | 315,529 | 161,786 | 51.3 |
2012 | 474,033 | 211,532 | 44.6 | 167,782 | 64,418 | 38.4 | 306,251 | 147,114 | 48.0 |
2013 | 448,509 | 192,693 | 43.0 | 162,667 | 60,578 | 37.2 | 285,842 | 132,115 | 46.2 |
2014 | 398,800 | 174,319 | 43.7 | 146,824 | 56,512 | 38.5 | 251,976 | 117,807 | 46.8 |
2015 | 344,678 | 149,703 | 43.4 | 131,751 | 50,029 | 38.0 | 212,927 | 99,674 | 46.8 |
2016 | 312,700 | 134,976 | 43.2 | 121,744 | 46,479 | 38.2 | 190,956 | 88,497 | 46.3 |
2017 | 278,972 | 119,634 | 42.9 | 108,541 | 40,983 | 37.8 | 170,431 | 78,651 | 46.1 |
2018 | 235,619 | 106,096 | 45.0 | 91,495 | 36,418 | 39.8 | 144,124 | 69,678 | 48.3 |
2019 | 144,296 | 72,391 | 50.2 | 54,179 | 24,401 | 45.0 | 90,117 | 47,990 | 53.3 |
2020 | 24,248 | 8,995 | 37.1 | 9,230 | 2,921 | 31.6 | 15,018 | 6,074 | 40.4 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | |||||||||
NOTES: Data are current through July 2021. | |||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. | |||||||||
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons. | |||||||||
Beginning on October 1, 1999, a revised process was tested in 10 states, under which initial denials could be appealed directly to the hearing level without a reconsideration. The process was phased out beginning on January 1, 2019, and by March 31, 2020, the reconsideration step had been reinstated in all 10 test states. | |||||||||
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year. | |||||||||
b. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | |||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |
Year | Total | Meets level of severity of listings a | Under age 18 only | Aged 18 or older only | Other a,b | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | Percent | Medically equals level of severity of listings | Functionally equals level of severity of listings | Equals level of severity of listings | Medical and vocational factors considered | |||
All ages c | ||||||||
1992 | 951,118 | 100.0 | 36.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 7.5 | 18.6 | 34.4 |
1993 | 968,374 | 100.0 | 36.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 5.5 | 17.4 | 37.6 |
1994 | 848,211 | 100.0 | 36.8 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 18.1 | 37.1 |
1995 | 745,348 | 100.0 | 35.8 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 18.6 | 37.2 |
1996 | 733,450 | 100.0 | 35.9 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 17.4 | 37.2 |
1997 | 666,943 | 100.0 | 37.6 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 18.4 | 33.3 |
1998 | 719,386 | 100.0 | 38.2 | 1.9 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 20.0 | 30.9 |
1999 | 731,105 | 100.0 | 36.5 | 2.0 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 20.8 | 31.4 |
2000 | 764,621 | 100.0 | 35.0 | 1.9 | 6.1 | 4.2 | 21.3 | 31.5 |
2001 | 817,110 | 100.0 | 34.6 | 1.8 | 6.9 | 4.2 | 22.1 | 30.4 |
2002 | 866,465 | 100.0 | 33.0 | 1.7 | 7.8 | 3.7 | 21.6 | 32.2 |
2003 | 895,968 | 100.0 | 32.0 | 1.6 | 8.7 | 3.6 | 21.8 | 32.2 |
2004 | 906,252 | 100.0 | 31.2 | 1.5 | 9.3 | 3.6 | 22.4 | 32.1 |
2005 | 877,874 | 100.0 | 30.4 | 1.4 | 9.4 | 3.4 | 22.7 | 32.7 |
2006 | 869,143 | 100.0 | 29.9 | 1.3 | 9.9 | 3.3 | 22.3 | 33.4 |
2007 | 856,387 | 100.0 | 30.2 | 1.3 | 10.5 | 3.5 | 23.2 | 31.4 |
2008 | 935,802 | 100.0 | 29.5 | 1.2 | 10.1 | 3.8 | 24.5 | 30.9 |
2009 | 1,047,764 | 100.0 | 28.7 | 1.2 | 10.4 | 3.9 | 25.8 | 30.0 |
2010 | 1,017,434 | 100.0 | 27.7 | 1.2 | 10.7 | 3.9 | 26.0 | 30.6 |
2011 | 969,064 | 100.0 | 27.5 | 1.2 | 10.7 | 3.9 | 26.5 | 30.3 |
2012 | 931,103 | 100.0 | 27.4 | 1.4 | 10.9 | 3.9 | 27.3 | 29.2 |
2013 | 853,127 | 100.0 | 28.1 | 1.3 | 10.7 | 3.8 | 26.8 | 29.4 |
2014 | 796,849 | 100.0 | 28.9 | 1.3 | 11.2 | 3.6 | 26.5 | 28.5 |
2015 | 753,239 | 100.0 | 32.3 | 1.2 | 10.9 | 3.5 | 26.0 | 26.1 |
2016 | 720,963 | 100.0 | 34.9 | 1.2 | 10.3 | 3.4 | 25.5 | 24.8 |
2017 | 689,563 | 100.0 | 36.6 | 1.1 | 10.6 | 3.4 | 24.9 | 23.4 |
2018 | 662,449 | 100.0 | 37.9 | 1.0 | 11.3 | 3.4 | 25.3 | 21.1 |
2019 | 636,242 | 100.0 | 41.4 | 0.9 | 11.9 | 3.5 | 28.7 | 13.7 |
2020 | 420,885 | 100.0 | 48.1 | 0.9 | 13.2 | 3.7 | 29.9 | 4.2 |
Under age 18 | ||||||||
1992 | 211,793 | 100.0 | 48.3 | 6.9 | 5.9 | . . . | . . . | 38.9 |
1993 | 241,085 | 100.0 | 44.9 | 5.9 | 6.4 | . . . | . . . | 42.7 |
1994 | 202,357 | 100.0 | 45.6 | 6.5 | 8.6 | . . . | . . . | 39.3 |
1995 | 170,884 | 100.0 | 44.8 | 7.0 | 11.0 | . . . | . . . | 37.2 |
1996 | 152,174 | 100.0 | 52.7 | 8.7 | 16.0 | . . . | . . . | 22.6 |
1997 | 128,270 | 100.0 | 55.8 | 9.2 | 22.1 | . . . | . . . | 12.9 |
1998 | 145,020 | 100.0 | 55.6 | 9.6 | 23.6 | . . . | . . . | 11.2 |
1999 | 150,821 | 100.0 | 53.1 | 9.7 | 25.8 | . . . | . . . | 11.4 |
2000 | 160,085 | 100.0 | 50.1 | 9.2 | 28.9 | . . . | . . . | 11.8 |
2001 | 175,092 | 100.0 | 48.2 | 8.2 | 32.4 | . . . | . . . | 11.2 |
2002 | 189,680 | 100.0 | 45.2 | 7.6 | 35.8 | . . . | . . . | 11.3 |
2003 | 198,122 | 100.0 | 43.5 | 7.4 | 39.3 | . . . | . . . | 9.8 |
2004 | 199,396 | 100.0 | 42.0 | 6.6 | 42.3 | . . . | . . . | 9.1 |
2005 | 187,772 | 100.0 | 39.9 | 6.5 | 44.2 | . . . | . . . | 9.5 |
2006 | 186,318 | 100.0 | 37.9 | 5.9 | 46.2 | . . . | . . . | 10.1 |
2007 | 185,104 | 100.0 | 37.0 | 5.8 | 48.4 | . . . | . . . | 8.7 |
2008 | 197,245 | 100.0 | 37.7 | 5.8 | 47.8 | . . . | . . . | 8.7 |
2009 | 223,172 | 100.0 | 37.0 | 5.5 | 49.0 | . . . | . . . | 8.5 |
2010 | 213,757 | 100.0 | 35.8 | 5.6 | 50.9 | . . . | . . . | 7.7 |
2011 | 206,052 | 100.0 | 36.7 | 5.8 | 50.1 | . . . | . . . | 7.4 |
2012 | 199,746 | 100.0 | 36.5 | 6.3 | 50.6 | . . . | . . . | 6.6 |
2013 | 181,652 | 100.0 | 37.3 | 6.3 | 50.2 | . . . | . . . | 6.3 |
2014 | 176,921 | 100.0 | 37.9 | 5.8 | 50.6 | . . . | . . . | 5.7 |
2015 | 180,660 | 100.0 | 44.8 | 5.0 | 45.5 | . . . | . . . | 4.7 |
2016 | 178,366 | 100.0 | 49.3 | 4.7 | 41.7 | . . . | . . . | 4.3 |
2017 | 174,773 | 100.0 | 49.7 | 4.3 | 41.9 | . . . | . . . | 4.1 |
2018 | 172,823 | 100.0 | 49.3 | 3.7 | 43.3 | . . . | . . . | 3.6 |
2019 | 171,998 | 100.0 | 50.4 | 3.2 | 43.9 | . . . | . . . | 2.4 |
2020 | 129,965 | 100.0 | 53.3 | 3.0 | 42.7 | . . . | . . . | 0.9 |
Aged 18–64 | ||||||||
1992 | 738,836 | 100.0 | 33.3 | . . . | . . . | 9.7 | 23.9 | 33.2 |
1993 | 726,766 | 100.0 | 33.7 | . . . | . . . | 7.3 | 23.1 | 35.9 |
1994 | 644,866 | 100.0 | 34.0 | . . . | . . . | 5.8 | 23.8 | 36.4 |
1995 | 573,381 | 100.0 | 33.2 | . . . | . . . | 5.6 | 24.0 | 37.2 |
1996 | 541,704 | 100.0 | 33.7 | . . . | . . . | 5.9 | 23.3 | 37.1 |
1997 | 513,855 | 100.0 | 34.5 | . . . | . . . | 6.1 | 22.6 | 36.9 |
1998 | 537,770 | 100.0 | 35.5 | . . . | . . . | 5.5 | 23.9 | 35.1 |
1999 | 544,767 | 100.0 | 33.9 | . . . | . . . | 5.2 | 25.0 | 35.8 |
2000 | 572,193 | 100.0 | 32.4 | . . . | . . . | 5.5 | 26.2 | 35.8 |
2001 | 611,555 | 100.0 | 32.3 | . . . | . . . | 5.5 | 27.6 | 34.6 |
2002 | 643,005 | 100.0 | 30.9 | . . . | . . . | 5.0 | 27.2 | 36.9 |
2003 | 670,732 | 100.0 | 29.8 | . . . | . . . | 4.8 | 27.9 | 37.5 |
2004 | 681,135 | 100.0 | 29.1 | . . . | . . . | 4.7 | 28.9 | 37.3 |
2005 | 660,481 | 100.0 | 28.9 | . . . | . . . | 4.5 | 29.3 | 37.2 |
2006 | 657,662 | 100.0 | 28.7 | . . . | . . . | 4.4 | 28.7 | 38.2 |
2007 | 667,054 | 100.0 | 28.4 | . . . | . . . | 4.5 | 29.3 | 37.9 |
2008 | 735,075 | 100.0 | 27.4 | . . . | . . . | 4.8 | 30.8 | 37.0 |
2009 | 821,300 | 100.0 | 26.6 | . . . | . . . | 4.9 | 32.5 | 36.0 |
2010 | 800,912 | 100.0 | 25.6 | . . . | . . . | 4.9 | 32.7 | 36.8 |
2011 | 760,879 | 100.0 | 25.0 | . . . | . . . | 4.9 | 33.5 | 36.6 |
2012 | 729,367 | 100.0 | 25.0 | . . . | . . . | 5.0 | 34.6 | 35.5 |
2013 | 669,923 | 100.0 | 25.6 | . . . | . . . | 4.8 | 33.9 | 35.7 |
2014 | 618,602 | 100.0 | 26.4 | . . . | . . . | 4.6 | 33.9 | 35.0 |
2015 | 571,282 | 100.0 | 28.3 | . . . | . . . | 4.7 | 34.1 | 32.9 |
2016 | 541,565 | 100.0 | 30.2 | . . . | . . . | 4.5 | 33.8 | 31.5 |
2017 | 513,850 | 100.0 | 32.3 | . . . | . . . | 4.6 | 33.2 | 29.9 |
2018 | 488,748 | 100.0 | 33.9 | . . . | . . . | 4.6 | 34.1 | 27.4 |
2019 | 463,457 | 100.0 | 38.1 | . . . | . . . | 4.8 | 39.3 | 17.9 |
2020 | 290,450 | 100.0 | 45.8 | . . . | . . . | 5.4 | 43.2 | 5.6 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | ||||||||
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2021. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2021. | ||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. | ||||||||
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons. | ||||||||
Includes decisions for SSI-only applications and applications for both Social Security and SSI. Does not include Social Security–only applications. | ||||||||
. . . = not applicable. | ||||||||
a. Includes all age groups. | ||||||||
b. Includes applications for which the disability was previously established and those for which the basis for the determination is not available. For final determinations made in or before August 1996 for applicants under age 18, also includes applications allowed because individual functional assessment showed impairment of comparable severity. | ||||||||
c. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | ||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |
Year | Total | Impairment did not or is not expected to last 12 months | Impairment is not severe | Impairment does not cause severe functional limitations a | Able to do usual past work b | Able to do other type of work b | Other c | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number | Percent | |||||||
All ages d | ||||||||
1992 | 743,395 | 100.0 | 7.3 | 22.1 | . . . | 17.5 | 26.3 | 26.9 |
1993 | 939,357 | 100.0 | 6.6 | 21.2 | . . . | 15.4 | 24.8 | 31.9 |
1994 | 1,043,113 | 100.0 | 6.2 | 20.7 | . . . | 13.6 | 23.3 | 36.1 |
1995 | 996,529 | 100.0 | 6.2 | 19.7 | . . . | 12.4 | 22.4 | 39.2 |
1996 | 940,293 | 100.0 | 6.4 | 20.6 | 5.8 | 12.1 | 22.9 | 32.2 |
1997 | 740,882 | 100.0 | 6.8 | 16.7 | 16.2 | 13.0 | 25.1 | 22.1 |
1998 | 705,162 | 100.0 | 6.9 | 15.0 | 18.3 | 14.7 | 25.4 | 19.9 |
1999 | 691,487 | 100.0 | 6.6 | 14.0 | 19.1 | 15.5 | 24.5 | 20.2 |
2000 | 691,810 | 100.0 | 6.5 | 13.3 | 18.7 | 15.8 | 24.2 | 21.5 |
2001 | 728,984 | 100.0 | 6.1 | 13.2 | 18.2 | 16.6 | 26.1 | 19.8 |
2002 | 814,108 | 100.0 | 5.7 | 13.0 | 18.2 | 17.0 | 26.6 | 19.6 |
2003 | 874,004 | 100.0 | 5.1 | 12.1 | 18.6 | 17.2 | 27.4 | 19.6 |
2004 | 908,230 | 100.0 | 4.8 | 11.3 | 18.6 | 16.9 | 27.8 | 20.7 |
2005 | 884,776 | 100.0 | 4.5 | 11.1 | 18.0 | 16.4 | 28.1 | 21.9 |
2006 | 911,923 | 100.0 | 4.3 | 11.3 | 18.2 | 16.4 | 28.3 | 21.5 |
2007 | 924,289 | 100.0 | 4.3 | 10.8 | 18.1 | 16.4 | 27.8 | 22.6 |
2008 | 955,195 | 100.0 | 4.0 | 10.3 | 18.0 | 16.8 | 28.7 | 22.1 |
2009 | 1,121,854 | 100.0 | 3.3 | 10.3 | 18.1 | 16.9 | 30.3 | 21.1 |
2010 | 1,196,322 | 100.0 | 2.9 | 10.6 | 17.7 | 16.5 | 31.1 | 21.1 |
2011 | 1,208,699 | 100.0 | 2.9 | 10.3 | 17.5 | 13.3 | 33.9 | 22.2 |
2012 | 1,195,729 | 100.0 | 2.8 | 9.9 | 17.3 | 9.7 | 39.5 | 20.7 |
2013 | 1,104,800 | 100.0 | 2.9 | 9.6 | 17.0 | 8.3 | 42.0 | 20.2 |
2014 | 1,015,267 | 100.0 | 2.8 | 9.3 | 17.1 | 7.3 | 42.5 | 21.0 |
2015 | 980,369 | 100.0 | 2.9 | 8.7 | 17.4 | 5.8 | 42.4 | 22.8 |
2016 | 905,584 | 100.0 | 3.0 | 8.1 | 17.0 | 4.9 | 43.0 | 24.0 |
2017 | 843,835 | 100.0 | 3.0 | 7.7 | 17.0 | 4.2 | 43.0 | 25.0 |
2018 | 759,817 | 100.0 | 2.8 | 7.3 | 17.2 | 3.7 | 42.2 | 26.8 |
2019 | 716,387 | 100.0 | 2.7 | 6.9 | 16.9 | 3.5 | 42.3 | 27.8 |
2020 | 532,485 | 100.0 | 2.8 | 6.8 | 15.2 | 3.3 | 40.4 | 31.5 |
Under age 18 | ||||||||
1992 | 148,324 | 100.0 | 1.5 | 22.7 | . . . | . . . | . . . | 75.8 |
1993 | 240,803 | 100.0 | 1.3 | 21.8 | . . . | . . . | . . . | 76.9 |
1994 | 311,284 | 100.0 | 1.4 | 22.4 | . . . | . . . | . . . | 76.2 |
1995 | 306,390 | 100.0 | 1.3 | 21.8 | . . . | . . . | . . . | 76.9 |
1996 | 291,351 | 100.0 | 1.4 | 26.9 | 18.7 | . . . | . . . | 53.0 |
1997 | 195,799 | 100.0 | 1.6 | 19.1 | 61.4 | . . . | . . . | 18.0 |
1998 | 182,668 | 100.0 | 1.3 | 14.4 | 70.6 | . . . | . . . | 13.7 |
1999 | 182,358 | 100.0 | 1.1 | 13.3 | 72.4 | . . . | . . . | 13.2 |
2000 | 179,615 | 100.0 | 1.1 | 13.2 | 72.1 | . . . | . . . | 13.6 |
2001 | 182,150 | 100.0 | 1.1 | 14.0 | 73.0 | . . . | . . . | 11.9 |
2002 | 200,600 | 100.0 | 1.0 | 13.4 | 73.9 | . . . | . . . | 11.8 |
2003 | 214,674 | 100.0 | 0.9 | 12.3 | 75.9 | . . . | . . . | 10.9 |
2004 | 220,735 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 10.9 | 76.5 | . . . | . . . | 11.8 |
2005 | 210,577 | 100.0 | 0.9 | 11.0 | 75.6 | . . . | . . . | 12.6 |
2006 | 218,816 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 11.3 | 75.9 | . . . | . . . | 12.0 |
2007 | 219,220 | 100.0 | 0.9 | 11.3 | 76.5 | . . . | . . . | 11.4 |
2008 | 221,572 | 100.0 | 0.9 | 10.7 | 77.6 | . . . | . . . | 10.8 |
2009 | 258,799 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 10.0 | 78.6 | . . . | . . . | 10.6 |
2010 | 267,988 | 100.0 | 0.7 | 10.1 | 79.0 | . . . | . . . | 10.2 |
2011 | 265,073 | 100.0 | 0.7 | 10.3 | 79.7 | . . . | . . . | 9.3 |
2012 | 258,061 | 100.0 | 0.7 | 10.4 | 80.1 | . . . | . . . | 8.8 |
2013 | 233,965 | 100.0 | 0.7 | 10.0 | 80.3 | . . . | . . . | 9.1 |
2014 | 216,469 | 100.0 | 0.6 | 9.7 | 80.3 | . . . | . . . | 9.4 |
2015 | 213,938 | 100.0 | 0.6 | 9.4 | 79.8 | . . . | . . . | 10.2 |
2016 | 192,314 | 100.0 | 0.6 | 8.8 | 80.1 | . . . | . . . | 10.6 |
2017 | 178,271 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 8.2 | 80.5 | . . . | . . . | 10.7 |
2018 | 164,287 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 7.7 | 79.7 | . . . | . . . | 12.0 |
2019 | 152,244 | 100.0 | 0.4 | 7.4 | 79.4 | . . . | . . . | 12.8 |
2020 | 107,131 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 7.0 | 75.7 | . . . | . . . | 16.8 |
Aged 18–64 | ||||||||
1992 | 594,906 | 100.0 | 8.8 | 21.9 | . . . | 21.8 | 32.8 | 14.7 |
1993 | 698,397 | 100.0 | 8.4 | 21.0 | . . . | 20.7 | 33.4 | 16.4 |
1994 | 731,456 | 100.0 | 8.3 | 20.0 | . . . | 19.4 | 33.2 | 19.1 |
1995 | 689,683 | 100.0 | 8.4 | 18.8 | . . . | 17.9 | 32.4 | 22.5 |
1996 | 648,031 | 100.0 | 8.6 | 17.8 | . . . | 17.5 | 33.3 | 22.8 |
1997 | 543,444 | 100.0 | 8.8 | 15.8 | . . . | 17.7 | 34.2 | 23.6 |
1998 | 518,536 | 100.0 | 8.9 | 14.9 | . . . | 19.7 | 34.4 | 22.0 |
1999 | 505,406 | 100.0 | 8.7 | 14.1 | . . . | 21.0 | 33.5 | 22.7 |
2000 | 508,834 | 100.0 | 8.4 | 13.2 | . . . | 21.3 | 32.8 | 24.3 |
2001 | 543,843 | 100.0 | 7.8 | 12.8 | . . . | 22.1 | 35.0 | 22.3 |
2002 | 610,507 | 100.0 | 7.3 | 12.7 | . . . | 22.5 | 35.4 | 22.1 |
2003 | 656,999 | 100.0 | 6.5 | 11.9 | . . . | 22.7 | 36.4 | 22.4 |
2004 | 685,542 | 100.0 | 6.0 | 11.4 | . . . | 22.3 | 36.8 | 23.5 |
2005 | 672,566 | 100.0 | 5.6 | 11.1 | . . . | 21.5 | 36.9 | 24.7 |
2006 | 691,749 | 100.0 | 5.4 | 11.3 | . . . | 21.6 | 37.2 | 24.5 |
2007 | 684,416 | 100.0 | 5.5 | 10.9 | . . . | 22.1 | 37.5 | 23.9 |
2008 | 712,548 | 100.0 | 5.1 | 10.5 | . . . | 22.5 | 38.5 | 23.4 |
2009 | 841,095 | 100.0 | 4.2 | 10.6 | . . . | 22.5 | 40.4 | 22.3 |
2010 | 906,548 | 100.0 | 3.7 | 10.9 | . . . | 21.8 | 41.1 | 22.5 |
2011 | 921,105 | 100.0 | 3.5 | 10.5 | . . . | 17.5 | 44.5 | 24.0 |
2012 | 916,930 | 100.0 | 3.5 | 9.9 | . . . | 12.7 | 51.6 | 22.3 |
2013 | 849,478 | 100.0 | 3.5 | 9.7 | . . . | 10.8 | 54.7 | 21.3 |
2014 | 777,063 | 100.0 | 3.5 | 9.4 | . . . | 9.6 | 55.5 | 22.0 |
2015 | 744,445 | 100.0 | 3.6 | 8.7 | . . . | 7.6 | 55.8 | 24.2 |
2016 | 692,663 | 100.0 | 3.7 | 8.2 | . . . | 6.4 | 56.2 | 25.5 |
2017 | 647,928 | 100.0 | 3.7 | 7.8 | . . . | 5.5 | 56.1 | 26.9 |
2018 | 582,181 | 100.0 | 3.5 | 7.3 | . . . | 4.9 | 55.0 | 29.3 |
2019 | 551,284 | 100.0 | 3.3 | 7.0 | . . . | 4.5 | 54.9 | 30.2 |
2020 | 416,584 | 100.0 | 3.4 | 6.8 | . . . | 4.3 | 51.7 | 33.8 |
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data. | ||||||||
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2021. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2021. | ||||||||
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the numbers and percentages will change over time. | ||||||||
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons. | ||||||||
Includes decisions for SSI-only applications and applications for both Social Security and SSI. Does not include Social Security–only applications. | ||||||||
. . . = not applicable. | ||||||||
a. Used only for applicants under age 18. Category effective for final determinations made August 1996 or later. | ||||||||
b. Used only for applicants aged 18 or older. | ||||||||
c. Applicant provided insufficient evidence, failed to cooperate, failed to follow prescribed treatment, did not want to continue development of the claim, or returned to substantial work before disability could be established. For final determinations made August 1996 or before for applicants under age 18, also includes claims denied because individual functional assessment showed impairment not of comparable severity. | ||||||||
d. Includes applicants aged 65 or older. | ||||||||
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov. |