SSA paid benefits to about 52.6 million people in 2009.
- 15% of these were getting disability payments and 64% were retired workers.
- Spouses, children and survivors make up the rest.
Broken down by gender:
- In 2009: 80% of the men receiving SS benefits were retired workers; while 19% of were receiving disability.
- In 2009: 61% of women receiving SS benefits were retired workers; 14% were disabled workers; 9% were receiving spousal benefits on the earnings of retired or disabled workers; and 16% were receiving widows or mother’s benefits.
Broken down by age:
- In 2010: 6% of beneficiaries were under the age of 18;
- 15% were between 18 and 61;
- 9% were between 62 and 64;
- 37% were between 65 and 74;
- 23% were between 75 and 84;
- And 10% were over age 85.
Social Security provided at least half the monthly income for 64% of retired people over the age of 56 in 2008.
How long does it take to get SS Disability Benefits?
- This varies greatly from case to case. In Texas, the initial claim can take 2-4 months; Reconsideration can take another 2-4 months; waiting on a hearing can take 6-15 months.
- Dallas has the fastest processing time of all National offices, averaging 311 days in 2012.
Does anyone get approved early on?
- In 2008, 37.5% of 2,570,000 initial claims filed that year were allowed.
- Only 48.1% of those denied filed an appeal. Of that 48.1%, only 12.04% were awarded at the second step.
- 74.6% of these denials appealed to the hearing level. Of these, 62.7% were awarded! This is the highest award rate by far, but so many people quit appealing before they got here.
Please visit our website at www.socialsecuirtyjustice.com or contact one of the Bailey & Galyen offices for additional information.