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SSA Basic Information

Social Security Disability Statistics

Long Term Disability Insurance

70% of American workers do not have private long term disability insurance 

Percentage of claims

90% of SSDI awards are made to disabled workers 

Rates of approval/denial - 2007 initial applications for working adults

            2,190,196 applications for SSDI         100.0%
            823,106 approved applications           37.58%
            1,367,120 applications denied            62.42% 

2006 Outcomes of the Appeal Cycle (1)

            Denied claims based on all appeal levels       66%
            Denied at the reconsideration level                86%
            Denied at the hearing level                            28%
            Denied at the Appeals Council                       98% 

Reasons for denials 2006 (2)

            Able to do other type of work                        30.7%
            Able to do usual past work                           26.2%
            Impairment is not severe1                            19.2%
            Other                                                          17.3%
            Impairment not expected to last six months     6.6% 

Estimate of Appeals Processing Time 2005 (3)

            Initial application                                  97 days (3 months)
            Reconsideration (first appeal)                344 days (1 year)
            ALJ (second appeal)                            516 days (11/2 years)
            Appeals Council                                  250 days (1 year) 

Approved Claims - Distribution by Diagnostic Group 2006

            Mental disorders                                        33.4%
            Muculoskeletal Disorders                           25.9%
            Nervous System and sense organs              9.5%
            Circulatory systems                                    9.3%
            Others              >                                          5% 

Profile of Disabled Worker 2006

            Average age                                        52.1
            Men                                                    53%
            Women                                               47%
            Average benefits award                        $977
            Education –high school or higher           89%
            Disability benefits paid                          8.1 million people
            Total payments                                    7.8 billion
            1 out of 7 received SSI income (2207) 

Distribution by Diagnosis – Awards to Disable Workers 2007

            Musculoskeletal Disorders                29.0 %
            Mental Disorders                              22.8%
            Circulatory                                       10.8%
            Neoplasms                                      10.1%
            Respiratory                                      4.0%
            Injuries                                            3.9%

(1)  Annual Statistical Repot on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2007, Social Security Administration Report

(2)  Ibid

(3)  Summary of Annual Performance Plan 2005, Social Security Administration Report

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