Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2009

Beneficiaries Who Have Filed for Workers' Compensation or Public Disability Benefits

Note

In December 2009, approximately 592,000 disabled workers on the Social Security Disability Insurance program had filed for workers' compensation or public disability benefits. Disability payments from private sources, such as private pension or insurance benefits, do not affect Social Security disability benefits, but workers' compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce them. Workers' compensation is paid to a worker because of a job-related injury or illness. It may be paid by federal or state workers' compensation agencies or employers or by insurance companies on behalf of employers.

Other public disability benefits that may affect Social Security disability benefits are those paid by a federal, state, or local government for disabling medical conditions that are not job related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, military disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability. Persons who receive Social Security disability benefits and one of the following types of public benefits will not have their Social Security disability benefit reduced:

  • Veterans Administration benefits;
  • State and local government benefits, if Social Security taxes were deducted from earnings; or
  • Supplemental Security Income.

The total amount received from workers' compensation or other public disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of the worker's average current earnings before he or she became disabled. The monthly Social Security disability benefit includes benefits payable to family members. If the total amount of these benefits exceeds 80 percent of average current earnings, the excess amount is deducted from the Social Security benefit. The benefit will be reduced until the month the worker reaches age 65 or the month the other benefits stop, whichever comes first.

Example

Before becoming disabled, the worker's average current earnings were $4,000 a month. The disabled worker, his or her spouse, and their two children would be eligible to receive a total of $2,200 a month in Social Security disability benefits. However, the disabled worker also receives $2,000 a month from workers' compensation. Because the total amount of benefits received ($4,200) is more than $3,200 (80 percent of average current earnings), the family's Social Security disability benefits will be reduced by $1,000.

Chart 7. Distribution of workers, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2009

Among disabled workers who are also receiving workers' compensation or public disability benefits, a disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue was the primary diagnosis in December 2009. Mental disorders were the second leading disabling condition. A disorder of the nervous system and sense organs was the third most common disability for women. Injuries were the third most common disability for men. All other impairments were fairly evenly split between men and women.

Bar chart with tabular version below.
Show as table
Table equivalent for Chart 7. Distribution of workers, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2009 (percent)
Diagnostic group Men Women
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 1.7 2.8
Injuries 8.5 4.4
Mental disorders 17.4 22.6
Circulatory system 4.5 2.5
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 56.8 53.6
Nervous system and sense organs 4.8 7.5
All other impairments 6.4 6.5
 
SOURCE: Table 34.
Table 31. Distribution of workers and nondisabled dependents who have filed, by reason for having or not having an offset, December 2009
Reason Total Workers Spouses and children
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All disabled beneficiaries and nondisabled dependents 770,475 100.0 592,086 100.0 178,389 100.0
With offset
Receipt of—
Workers' compensation only
Black Lung 416 0.1 286 a 130 0.1
Harbor Workers and Longshoremen 729 0.1 520 0.1 209 0.1
Federal employees 3,549 0.5 2,702 0.5 847 0.5
State 134,521 17.5 90,801 15.3 43,720 24.5
Public disability only
Federal 2,357 0.3 2,030 0.3 327 0.2
State 14,524 1.9 11,217 1.9 3,307 1.9
Local 706 0.1 526 0.1 180 0.1
Workers' compensation and—
Federal public disability 35 a 30 a 5 a
State public disability 817 0.1 623 0.1 194 0.1
Local public disability 16 a 12 a 4 a
Social Security Disability Insurance (Reverse Offset) 57,807 7.5 45,116 7.6 12,691 7.1
Without offset
High average current earnings 371,314 48.2 297,165 50.2 74,149 41.6
Entitlement to workers' compensation or public disability benefits is pending 183,684 23.8 141,058 23.8 42,626 23.9
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 32. Distribution of workers and nondisabled dependents who have filed, by state or other area of residence, December 2009
State or area Total Workers Spouses and children
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All areas 770,475 100.0 592,086 100.0 178,389 100.0
Alabama 14,307 1.9 10,786 1.8 3,521 2.0
Alaska 693 0.1 538 0.1 155 0.1
Arizona 10,273 1.3 8,160 1.4 2,113 1.2
Arkansas 7,532 1.0 5,707 1.0 1,825 1.0
California 120,070 15.6 96,488 16.3 23,582 13.2
Colorado 9,564 1.2 7,644 1.3 1,920 1.1
Connecticut 6,151 0.8 4,563 0.8 1,588 0.9
Delaware 2,166 0.3 1,656 0.3 510 0.3
District of Columbia 368 a 323 0.1 45 a
Florida 39,959 5.2 31,361 5.3 8,598 4.8
Georgia 22,499 2.9 17,366 2.9 5,133 2.9
Hawaii 2,350 0.3 1,799 0.3 551 0.3
Idaho 2,605 0.3 2,034 0.3 571 0.3
Illinois 18,615 2.4 13,958 2.4 4,657 2.6
Indiana 5,685 0.7 4,298 0.7 1,387 0.8
Iowa 4,356 0.6 3,363 0.6 993 0.6
Kansas 3,821 0.5 2,969 0.5 852 0.5
Kentucky 22,204 2.9 16,759 2.8 5,445 3.1
Louisiana 12,890 1.7 8,979 1.5 3,911 2.2
Maine 6,137 0.8 4,798 0.8 1,339 0.8
Maryland 5,743 0.7 4,553 0.8 1,190 0.7
Massachusetts 16,846 2.2 12,578 2.1 4,268 2.4
Michigan 36,583 4.7 28,241 4.8 8,342 4.7
Minnesota 6,944 0.9 5,574 0.9 1,370 0.8
Mississippi 7,630 1.0 5,618 0.9 2,012 1.1
Missouri 13,997 1.8 10,812 1.8 3,185 1.8
Montana 3,059 0.4 2,482 0.4 577 0.3
Nebraska 2,336 0.3 1,786 0.3 550 0.3
Nevada 4,318 0.6 3,509 0.6 809 0.5
New Hampshire 4,062 0.5 3,028 0.5 1,034 0.6
New Jersey 19,321 2.5 14,582 2.5 4,739 2.7
New Mexico 4,184 0.5 3,270 0.6 914 0.5
New York 90,960 11.8 67,237 11.4 23,723 13.3
North Carolina 21,889 2.8 16,884 2.9 5,005 2.8
North Dakota 1,041 0.1 793 0.1 248 0.1
Ohio 19,331 2.5 15,240 2.6 4,091 2.3
Oklahoma 8,816 1.1 6,960 1.2 1,856 1.0
Oregon 6,383 0.8 5,174 0.9 1,209 0.7
Pennsylvania 38,338 5.0 28,668 4.8 9,670 5.4
Rhode Island 3,323 0.4 2,661 0.4 662 0.4
South Carolina 14,069 1.8 10,690 1.8 3,379 1.9
South Dakota 1,086 0.1 829 0.1 257 0.1
Tennessee 14,358 1.9 11,157 1.9 3,201 1.8
Texas 19,442 2.5 14,581 2.5 4,861 2.7
Utah 2,186 0.3 1,622 0.3 564 0.3
Vermont 1,178 0.2 893 0.2 285 0.2
Virginia 12,515 1.6 9,500 1.6 3,015 1.7
Washington 12,541 1.6 10,094 1.7 2,447 1.4
West Virginia 10,451 1.4 8,079 1.4 2,372 1.3
Wisconsin 9,487 1.2 7,306 1.2 2,181 1.2
Wyoming 653 0.1 509 0.1 144 0.1
Outlying areas
Puerto Rico 43,211 5.6 32,349 5.5 10,862 6.1
Other b 276 a 165 a 111 0.1
Foreign countries 1,673 0.2 1,113 0.2 560 0.3
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
NOTE: Distribution is by state or other area of residence, not by the state paying benefits.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
b. Includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 33. Distribution of workers who have filed, by diagnostic group and age, December 2009
Diagnostic group Total, all ages Under 35 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64
Number
Total 592,086 9,721 17,620 38,969 77,318 123,408 158,488 166,562
Congenital anomalies 331 12 13 31 58 68 74 75
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 12,727 100 207 616 1,339 2,559 3,725 4,181
Infectious and parasitic diseases 4,749 67 127 434 900 1,130 1,173 918
Injuries 40,762 1,556 1,822 3,284 5,486 8,125 9,961 10,528
Mental disorders
Retardation 6,390 188 269 722 1,135 1,476 1,412 1,188
Other 108,606 2,924 4,518 9,387 17,320 24,134 26,214 24,109
Neoplasms 6,433 213 190 382 784 1,293 1,717 1,854
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 437 27 19 31 71 94 102 93
Circulatory system 21,906 165 253 677 1,742 3,464 6,467 9,138
Digestive system 3,818 55 84 200 488 869 1,178 944
Genitourinary system 3,253 187 187 297 520 643 742 677
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 329,059 3,208 8,313 19,465 40,809 68,755 91,410 97,099
Nervous system and sense organs 34,583 805 1,250 2,575 4,750 7,070 8,970 9,163
Respiratory system 8,953 77 141 318 737 1,632 2,557 3,491
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 743 19 30 58 116 148 174 198
Other 705 19 21 52 97 165 174 177
Unknown 8,631 99 176 440 966 1,783 2,438 2,729
Percent
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Congenital anomalies 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 a a
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 2.1 1.0 1.2 1.6 1.7 2.1 2.4 2.5
Infectious and parasitic diseases 0.8 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.6
Injuries 6.9 16.0 10.3 8.4 7.1 6.6 6.3 6.3
Mental disorders
Retardation 1.1 1.9 1.5 1.9 1.5 1.2 0.9 0.7
Other 18.3 30.1 25.6 24.1 22.4 19.6 16.5 14.5
Neoplasms 1.1 2.2 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Circulatory system 3.7 1.7 1.4 1.7 2.3 2.8 4.1 5.5
Digestive system 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6
Genitourinary system 0.5 1.9 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 55.6 33.0 47.2 49.9 52.8 55.7 57.7 58.3
Nervous system and sense organs 5.8 8.3 7.1 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.7 5.5
Respiratory system 1.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.1
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Unknown 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.6
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 34. Distribution of workers who have filed, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2009
Diagnostic group Total Men Women
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All disabled workers 592,086 100.0 360,482 100.0 231,604 100.0
Congenital anomalies 331 0.1 181 0.1 150 0.1
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 12,727 2.1 6,232 1.7 6,495 2.8
Infectious and parasitic diseases 4,749 0.8 3,838 1.1 911 0.4
Injuries 40,762 6.9 30,572 8.5 10,190 4.4
Mental disorders
Retardation 6,390 1.1 4,889 1.4 1,501 0.6
Other 108,606 18.3 57,681 16.0 50,925 22.0
Neoplasms 6,433 1.1 3,455 1.0 2,978 1.3
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 437 0.1 219 0.1 218 0.1
Circulatory system 21,906 3.7 16,170 4.5 5,736 2.5
Digestive system 3,818 0.6 2,462 0.7 1,356 0.6
Genitourinary system 3,253 0.5 2,214 0.6 1,039 0.4
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 329,059 55.6 204,820 56.8 124,239 53.6
Nervous system and sense organs 34,583 5.8 17,183 4.8 17,400 7.5
Respiratory system 8,953 1.5 5,195 1.4 3,758 1.6
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 743 0.1 395 0.1 348 0.2
Other 705 0.1 313 0.1 392 0.2
Unknown 8,631 1.5 4,663 1.3 3,968 1.7
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.