In December 2003, about 6.8 million people received Social Security disability benefits as disabled workers, disabled widow(er)s, or disabled adult children. The majority (86 percent) were disabled workers, 11 percent were disabled adult children, and 3 percent were disabled widow(er)s.

The number of disabled workers grew steadily until 1978, declined slightly until 1983, started to increase again in 1984, and began to increase more rapidly beginning in 1990. The growth in the 1980s and 1990s was the result of demographic changes, a recession, and legislative changes. The number of disabled adult children has grown slightly, and the number of disabled widow(er)s has remained fairly level. In December 2003, close to 5.9 million disabled workers, about 753,000 disabled adult children, and just over 209,000 disabled widow(er)s received disability benefits.

Disabled beneficiaries aged 18–64 in current-payment status accounted for about 3.6 percent of the population aged 18–64 in the United States. In 8 states and the District of Columbia, they represented less than 3 percent of the state population. The states with the highest rates of disabled beneficiaries—5 percent or more—were Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

The percentage of disabled-worker beneficiaries increases with age for both men and women. In December 2003, the largest percentage of disabled-worker beneficiaries were aged 60 or older. Disability benefits convert to retirement benefits when the worker reaches full retirement age, which is ages 65 to 67, depending on the year of birth.

The average monthly benefit for disabled-worker beneficiaries is higher than that paid to disabled widow(er)s or disabled adult children. The reason for the difference is that disabled workers receive 100 percent of the primary insurance amount (PIA), compared with 71.5 percent for disabled widow(er)s and 50 percent for disabled adult children (if the worker is disabled or retired) or 75 percent (if the worker is deceased).

Because men have traditionally had higher earnings than women, their monthly benefit is higher. This is most obvious in the disabled-worker group. Benefits for disabled widow(er)s and disabled adult children are dependents' benefits, so their monthly benefit is a function of the worker's earnings. Therefore, a disabled widow's average benefit tends to be higher than that of a disabled widower because a male worker's earnings are higher than a female worker's. Benefit amounts are about the same for men and women in the disabled adult children group.

The impairment on which disability is based varies with the type of beneficiary. In December 2003, a mental disorder other than retardation was the primary reason disabled workers received benefits; diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were the leading cause of disability among disabled widow(er)s; and mental retardation was the predominant reason for disability among disabled adult children.

The total number of awards decreased from 1980 through 1982, started to rise in 1983, and began to increase more rapidly in 1990. Awards for disabled-worker benefits have been most pronounced and drive the overall pattern shown in the total line. They increased from a low of 297,131 in 1982 to 636,637 in 1992, were relatively flat from 1992 through 2000, and started to increase again in 2001. There were 755,706 worker awards in 2003. Other awards have risen at a much slower rate. Awards to disabled adult children have gradually increased from 33,470 in 1980 to 46,801 in 2003. Awards to disabled widow(er)s have risen from just over 16,000 in 1980 to 27,324 in 2003.

Average monthly benefits for new awards tend to be higher than those paid to beneficiaries who are already on the rolls (see Chart 5). The exception is payments to newly awarded adult children, whose benefits are slightly lower than those paid to adult children who are already on the rolls.

The average monthly benefit awarded to disabled workers is higher than that awarded to disabled widow(er)s or disabled adult children. The reason for the difference is that disabled workers receive 100 percent of the primary insurance amount, compared with 71.5 percent for disabled widow(er)s and 50 percent for disabled adult children (if the worker is disabled or retired) or 75 percent (if the worker is deceased).

Because men have traditionally had higher earnings than women, their monthly benefit is higher. This is most obvious in the disabled-worker group. Benefits for disabled widow(er)s and disabled adult children are dependents' benefits, so their monthly benefit is a function of the worker's earnings. Therefore, a disabled widow's average benefit tends to be higher than that of a disabled widower because a male worker's earnings are higher than a female worker's. Benefit amounts are about the same for men and women in the disabled adult children group.

In 2003, 755,706 disabled workers were awarded benefits. The primary impairment group was diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (26.3 percent), 25.4 percent had a mental disorder, 11.4 percent had circulatory problems, 9.4 percent had neoplasms, 8.5 percent had a disease of the nervous system and sense organs, and 19.0 percent had other impairments.

The final award rate for disabled-worker applicants has varied over time, averaging about 51 percent for claims filed from 1992 through 2001. The percentage of applicants awarded benefits at the initial claims level averaged almost 32 percent over the same period and ranged from a high of about 35 percent to a low of 28 percent. The percentage of applicants awarded at the reconsideration and hearing levels are relatively constant, averaging about 5 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Denied disability claims have averaged about 48 percent.

In December 2003, over 10.4 million people under the age of 65 received benefits on the basis of disability. About 53 percent (5.5 million persons) received benefits from the Social Security program only, 36 percent (3.8 million persons) received benefits from SSI only (includes approximately 960,000 disabled children under the age of 18), and 11 percent (1.1 million persons) received benefits from both programs. This total excludes 38,135 disabled workers, 66,510 disabled adult children, and 756,900 blind and disabled SSI recipients who are aged 65 or older.

Disabled workers have varying levels of education and tend to be less educated than the general U.S. population. Twenty-five percent of disabled-worker beneficiaries have less than a high school education, 38 percent have a high school education, 28 percent have some college education, and 10 percent have a college degree or postgraduate level of education.

Social Security benefits are the primary source of income for disabled-worker families. About 45 percent of their income comes from Social Security, 36 percent from family members' earnings, and 4 percent from Supplemental Security Income. Only 1 percent comes from other public assistance.