Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2015

Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits

Notes

The tables in this section provide data on the outcomes of applications for disability benefits. The data on applications are derived from the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Disability Research File maintained by the Office of Disability Programs. Each year this file 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 60 shows the total number of applications filed in a year, the number denied for nonmedical reasons before a medical decision is made (technical denials), the number that are pending a final decision, 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 insufficient number of recent work credits.

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 decision-making 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 61–63 show the allowance rate for Social Security only and the Social Security portion of concurrent applications (which are claims for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits). Each table shows a different level in the administrative decision-making process; that is, initial adjudicative, reconsideration, and hearing or higher level.

Beginning with 2000, the proportion of claims awarded at each level of the process changed as a result of the Prototype Process being 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 results in a decrease in the aggregate proportion of claims awarded at this step.

This section also includes one table that shows the reason for medical allowance and one that shows the reason for medical denial (Tables 64 and 65). The reasons are derived from the sequential evaluation process used by decision makers. 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
  • has an impairment resulting from drug addiction or alcoholism, 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.
Chart 11. Final outcome of disabled-worker applications, 2005–2014

The final award rate for disabled-worker applicants has varied over time, averaging 35 percent for claims filed from 2005 through 2014. The percentage of applicants awarded benefits at the initial claims level averaged 23 percent over the same period and ranged from a high of 25 percent to a low of 20 percent. The percentage of applicants awarded at the reconsideration and hearing levels are averaging 2 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Denied disability claims have averaged 61 percent.

Area chart with tabular version below.
Show as table
Table equivalent for Chart 11. Final outcome of disabled-worker applications, 2005–2014 (percent)
Year Initial awards Reconsideration awards Hearings and Appeals Council awards Pending final decision Medical denials Technical denials
2005 25.4 2.5 14.2 0.0 30.8 27.1
2006 23.9 2.4 13.5 0.0 30.1 30.2
2007 24.2 2.6 13.0 0.0 28.8 31.5
2008 24.8 2.6 12.2 0.1 27.7 32.6
2009 24.8 2.4 11.6 0.2 28.3 32.8
2010 22.9 2.2 11.0 0.3 28.4 35.2
2011 21.9 2.2 10.5 0.7 28.9 35.7
2012 21.2 2.2 9.1 3.2 26.9 37.3
2013 20.8 2.2 4.4 11.6 23.4 37.7
2014 20.3 1.7 0.3 17.3 22.1 38.3
 
SOURCE: Tables 60–63.
NOTES: Awards are calculated as medical allowances minus subsequent technical denials. Technical denials include both nonmedical decision technical denials and medical decisions that were subsequently denied for technical reasons.
The proportion of claims awarded at each level of the process is likely to change as a result of the Prototype Process being 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 is likely to result in a decrease in the overall proportion of claims awarded at this step.
Table 60. Outcomes at all adjudicative levels, by year of application, 1992–2014
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 disabled beneficiaries
1999 1,265,037 0 104,332 445,995 4,056 708,797 1,857 56.0 61.3
2000 1,364,323 0 136,054 456,467 3,817 766,047 1,938 56.1 62.6
2001 1,513,411 0 170,520 496,835 3,579 840,542 1,935 55.5 62.8
2002 1,715,710 0 231,067 580,430 4,067 898,047 2,099 52.3 60.7
2003 1,941,894 0 374,305 632,284 4,485 928,747 2,073 47.8 59.5
2004 2,262,119 0 615,672 677,811 5,634 961,376 1,626 42.5 58.5
2005 2,087,733 0 528,760 642,170 6,964 907,877 1,962 43.5 58.4
2006 2,164,394 0 611,211 653,391 7,271 890,604 1,917 41.1 57.5
2007 2,216,563 0 651,774 642,110 7,915 912,946 1,818 41.2 58.5
2008 2,358,629 2,993 717,174 658,370 9,025 969,288 1,779 41.1 59.3
2009 2,753,012 5,181 845,339 785,842 10,692 1,104,108 1,850 40.2 58.2
2010 2,981,613 9,047 978,790 856,171 19,134 1,116,395 2,076 37.6 56.2
2011 2,952,087 20,272 982,183 860,432 20,853 1,066,277 2,070 36.4 54.9
2012 2,955,922 92,432 1,024,628 802,302 24,123 1,010,144 2,293 35.3 55.1
2013 2,782,720 313,089 970,595 659,702 26,724 810,332 2,278 32.8 54.3
2014 2,636,563 441,621 934,825 590,143 27,537 640,347 2,090 29.2 51.1
  Workers
1992 1,310,004 0 130,885 481,439 5,725 689,111 2,844 52.6 58.8
1993 1,384,501 0 140,314 540,906 5,626 695,007 2,648 50.2 56.2
1994 1,383,092 0 130,240 573,158 5,506 671,791 2,397 48.6 53.9
1995 1,301,472 0 123,711 542,097 5,048 628,380 2,236 48.3 53.6
1996 1,313,818 0 116,988 537,482 5,011 652,221 2,116 49.6 54.8
1997 1,164,680 0 106,868 449,464 4,212 602,277 1,859 51.7 57.2
1998 1,138,101 0 96,718 421,953 4,205 613,181 2,044 53.9 59.2
1999 1,167,650 0 102,305 419,486 4,008 640,065 1,786 54.8 60.3
2000 1,265,188 0 133,947 430,581 3,782 695,007 1,871 54.9 61.7
2001 1,414,524 0 168,231 470,999 3,537 769,877 1,880 54.4 62.0
2002 1,609,480 0 228,455 550,985 4,011 823,981 2,048 51.2 59.9
2003 1,831,154 0 371,334 599,558 4,428 853,832 2,002 46.6 58.7
2004 2,145,629 0 611,647 643,040 5,582 883,784 1,576 41.2 57.8
2005 1,970,277 0 524,858 607,568 6,874 829,087 1,890 42.1 57.6
2006 2,040,682 0 606,447 613,534 7,165 811,678 1,858 39.8 56.8
2007 2,083,895 0 646,532 599,283 7,800 828,528 1,752 39.8 57.8
2008 2,217,126 2,923 711,578 614,368 8,893 877,652 1,712 39.6 58.6
2009 2,595,028 5,045 839,348 733,711 10,544 1,004,605 1,775 38.8 57.5
2010 2,809,477 8,855 968,303 799,034 18,531 1,012,746 2,008 36.2 55.4
2011 2,780,977 19,836 971,313 803,911 20,358 963,555 2,004 34.9 54.0
2012 2,776,214 89,487 1,009,232 747,788 23,015 904,521 2,171 33.7 54.1
2013 2,616,427 303,782 957,854 611,935 25,721 714,952 2,183 30.9 53.0
2014 2,485,077 429,651 923,149 548,743 26,563 554,946 2,025 27.0 49.3
  Widow(er)s
1999 40,053 0 1,173 9,718 17 29,108 37 72.7 75.0
2000 39,990 0 1,258 9,013 11 29,679 29 74.2 76.8
2001 40,227 0 1,344 8,738 13 30,113 19 74.9 77.5
2002 41,065 0 1,540 8,941 18 30,547 19 74.4 77.4
2003 41,243 0 1,645 9,553 24 29,977 44 72.7 75.9
2004 42,449 0 2,069 9,554 22 30,780 24 72.5 76.3
2005 41,409 0 1,892 9,253 26 30,215 23 73.0 76.6
2006 41,468 0 2,190 9,774 38 29,443 23 71.0 75.1
2007 40,781 0 2,211 8,979 28 29,536 27 72.4 76.7
2008 42,140 19 2,329 8,607 31 31,133 21 73.9 78.3
2009 44,059 34 2,551 8,923 43 32,488 20 73.8 78.4
2010 47,583 66 3,544 9,664 83 34,203 23 72.0 77.9
2011 47,011 129 3,500 9,758 74 33,516 34 71.5 77.4
2012 51,351 869 5,849 9,383 244 34,953 53 69.2 78.5
2013 48,915 3,236 5,097 8,700 276 31,563 43 69.1 78.0
2014 45,542 4,441 4,505 7,998 280 28,286 32 68.8 77.4
  Adult children
1999 57,334 0 854 16,791 31 39,624 34 69.1 70.3
2000 59,145 0 849 16,873 24 41,361 38 69.9 71.1
2001 58,660 0 945 17,098 29 40,552 36 69.1 70.4
2002 65,165 0 1,072 20,504 38 43,519 32 66.8 68.0
2003 69,497 0 1,326 23,173 33 44,938 27 64.7 66.0
2004 74,041 0 1,956 25,217 30 46,812 26 63.2 65.0
2005 76,047 0 2,010 25,349 64 48,575 49 63.9 65.7
2006 82,244 0 2,574 30,083 68 49,483 36 60.2 62.2
2007 91,887 0 3,031 33,848 87 54,882 39 59.7 61.8
2008 99,363 51 3,267 35,395 101 60,503 46 60.9 63.1
2009 113,925 102 3,440 43,208 105 67,015 55 58.9 60.8
2010 124,553 126 6,943 47,473 520 69,446 45 55.8 59.2
2011 124,099 307 7,370 46,763 421 69,206 32 55.9 59.5
2012 128,357 2,076 9,547 45,131 864 70,670 69 56.0 60.6
2013 117,378 6,071 7,644 39,067 727 63,817 52 57.3 61.6
2014 105,944 7,529 7,171 33,402 694 57,115 33 58.0 62.7
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2015. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2015.
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the award and allowance rates will change over time. Cases can be pending at the initial or appellate levels and can include either medical or technical issues.
Data include decisions for Social Security–only applications and applications for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI); they do not include SSI-only applications.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
a. Applications were denied for nonmedical reasons; therefore no decision was made on severity of impairment.
b. Applications were denied for nonmedical reasons after a decision was made that the applicant did not meet the medical severity criteria for disability benefits.
c. Applications were denied for nonmedical reasons after a decision was made that the 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.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.
Table 61. Medical decisions at the initial adjudicative level, by year of application and program, 1992–2014
Year All decisions Decisions on applications for Social Security 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,b (percent)
  All disabled beneficiaries
1999 1,160,792 458,854 39.5 649,980 313,152 48.2 510,812 145,702 28.5
2000 1,228,301 500,657 40.8 688,282 339,764 49.4 540,019 160,893 29.8
2001 1,342,915 558,741 41.6 742,869 379,266 51.1 600,046 179,475 29.9
2002 1,484,685 575,089 38.7 794,839 385,453 48.5 689,846 189,636 27.5
2003 1,567,607 583,758 37.2 804,688 383,225 47.6 762,919 200,533 26.3
2004 1,646,469 604,176 36.7 814,157 389,190 47.8 832,312 214,986 25.8
2005 1,559,003 575,310 36.9 763,377 370,449 48.5 795,626 204,861 25.7
2006 1,553,217 562,178 36.2 753,211 363,207 48.2 800,006 198,971 24.9
2007 1,564,846 583,002 37.3 757,271 377,321 49.8 807,575 205,681 25.5
2008 1,641,464 635,323 38.7 783,446 408,839 52.2 858,018 226,484 26.4
2009 1,907,668 734,139 38.5 922,176 480,716 52.1 985,492 253,423 25.7
2010 2,002,804 738,766 36.9 990,784 496,032 50.1 1,012,020 242,734 24.0
2011 1,969,875 702,827 35.7 987,689 478,426 48.4 982,186 224,401 22.8
2012 1,930,751 688,273 35.6 988,914 474,287 48.0 941,837 213,986 22.7
2013 1,810,523 635,977 35.1 958,491 444,032 46.3 852,032 191,945 22.5
2014 1,695,822 590,402 34.8 951,624 423,586 44.5 744,198 166,816 22.4
  Workers
1992 1,179,119 436,715 37.0 558,741 248,385 44.5 620,378 188,330 30.4
1993 1,244,187 421,560 33.9 571,464 240,839 42.1 672,723 180,721 26.9
1994 1,252,852 390,785 31.2 591,408 233,059 39.4 661,444 157,726 23.8
1995 1,177,761 367,293 31.2 569,963 223,457 39.2 607,798 143,836 23.7
1996 1,196,830 384,167 32.1 593,992 237,474 40.0 602,838 146,693 24.3
1997 1,057,812 357,880 33.8 551,909 228,793 41.5 505,903 129,087 25.5
1998 1,041,383 374,376 35.9 550,794 238,989 43.4 490,589 135,387 27.6
1999 1,065,430 396,253 37.2 578,884 259,417 44.8 486,546 136,836 28.1
2000 1,131,273 435,416 38.5 615,507 283,906 46.1 515,766 151,510 29.4
2001 1,246,317 493,638 39.6 670,621 323,649 48.3 575,696 169,989 29.5
2002 1,381,065 507,031 36.7 718,611 327,294 45.5 662,454 179,737 27.1
2003 1,459,838 514,871 35.3 728,169 324,769 44.6 731,669 190,102 26.0
2004 1,534,004 532,860 34.7 738,167 329,980 44.7 795,837 202,880 25.5
2005 1,445,449 502,762 34.8 686,143 309,900 45.2 759,306 192,862 25.4
2006 1,434,269 489,505 34.1 675,512 303,035 44.9 758,757 186,470 24.6
2007 1,437,418 505,900 35.2 676,156 314,326 46.5 761,262 191,574 25.2
2008 1,505,558 552,618 36.7 697,821 340,906 48.9 807,737 211,712 26.2
2009 1,755,678 644,456 36.7 830,597 407,707 49.1 925,081 236,749 25.6
2010 1,841,156 644,780 35.0 894,303 418,880 46.8 946,853 225,900 23.9
2011 1,809,642 609,881 33.7 890,408 401,008 45.0 919,234 208,873 22.7
2012 1,766,484 591,692 33.5 886,598 392,878 44.3 879,886 198,814 22.6
2013 1,657,089 545,815 32.9 862,782 367,918 42.6 794,307 177,897 22.4
2014 1,556,222 506,790 32.6 861,942 352,466 40.9 694,280 154,324 22.2
  Widow(er)s
1999 38,880 24,898 64.0 29,600 21,272 71.9 9,280 3,626 39.1
2000 38,732 25,748 66.5 29,874 21,967 73.5 8,858 3,781 42.7
2001 38,883 26,206 67.4 30,273 22,436 74.1 8,610 3,770 43.8
2002 39,526 26,489 67.0 30,891 22,751 73.6 8,635 3,738 43.3
2003 39,598 25,960 65.6 30,216 22,213 73.5 9,382 3,747 39.9
2004 40,380 26,666 66.0 29,578 22,252 75.2 10,802 4,414 40.9
2005 39,517 26,265 66.5 29,201 22,023 75.4 10,316 4,242 41.1
2006 39,278 25,584 65.1 28,454 21,399 75.2 10,824 4,185 38.7
2007 38,570 25,544 66.2 27,586 21,181 76.8 10,984 4,363 39.7
2008 39,811 26,775 67.3 28,194 22,185 78.7 11,617 4,590 39.5
2009 41,508 27,810 67.0 28,929 22,796 78.8 12,579 5,014 39.9
2010 44,039 29,497 67.0 30,598 24,201 79.1 13,441 5,296 39.4
2011 43,511 28,690 65.9 30,383 23,795 78.3 13,128 4,895 37.3
2012 45,492 30,455 66.9 32,393 25,650 79.2 13,099 4,805 36.7
2013 43,786 28,855 65.9 31,066 24,356 78.4 12,720 4,499 35.4
2014 40,988 27,358 66.7 29,494 23,366 79.2 11,494 3,992 34.7
  Adult children
1999 56,482 37,703 66.8 41,496 32,463 78.2 14,986 5,240 35.0
2000 58,296 39,493 67.7 42,901 33,891 79.0 15,395 5,602 36.4
2001 57,715 38,897 67.4 41,975 33,181 79.0 15,740 5,716 36.3
2002 64,094 41,569 64.9 45,337 35,408 78.1 18,757 6,161 32.8
2003 68,171 42,927 63.0 46,303 36,243 78.3 21,868 6,684 30.6
2004 72,085 44,650 61.9 46,412 36,958 79.6 25,673 7,692 30.0
2005 74,037 46,283 62.5 48,033 38,526 80.2 26,004 7,757 29.8
2006 79,670 47,089 59.1 49,245 38,773 78.7 30,425 8,316 27.3
2007 88,858 51,558 58.0 53,529 41,814 78.1 35,329 9,744 27.6
2008 96,095 55,930 58.2 57,431 45,748 79.7 38,664 10,182 26.3
2009 110,482 61,873 56.0 62,650 50,213 80.1 47,832 11,660 24.4
2010 117,609 64,489 54.8 65,883 52,951 80.4 51,726 11,538 22.3
2011 116,722 64,256 55.1 66,898 53,623 80.2 49,824 10,633 21.3
2012 118,775 66,126 55.7 69,923 55,759 79.7 48,852 10,367 21.2
2013 109,648 61,307 55.9 64,643 51,758 80.1 45,005 9,549 21.2
2014 98,612 56,254 57.0 60,188 47,754 79.3 38,424 8,500 22.1
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data are current through June 2015.
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the allowance rate will change over time.
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or be subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
SSI = Supplemental Security Income.
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year.
b. Rate for the Social Security portion only.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.
Table 62. Medical decisions at the reconsideration level, by year of application and program, 1992–2014
Year All decisions Decisions on applications for Social Security 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,b (percent)
  All disabled beneficiaries
1999 397,127 58,602 14.8 209,682 33,223 15.8 187,445 25,379 13.5
2000 407,758 55,631 13.6 214,965 31,473 14.6 192,793 24,158 12.5
2001 434,185 55,494 12.8 221,720 30,807 13.9 212,465 24,687 11.6
2002 502,441 57,460 11.4 249,822 31,212 12.5 252,619 26,248 10.4
2003 542,986 57,868 10.7 258,354 30,344 11.7 284,632 27,524 9.7
2004 558,632 57,363 10.3 255,283 29,169 11.4 303,349 28,194 9.3
2005 514,277 51,732 10.1 231,252 26,556 11.5 283,025 25,176 8.9
2006 514,443 51,150 9.9 227,922 26,077 11.4 286,521 25,073 8.8
2007 519,255 57,028 11.0 224,454 29,822 13.3 294,801 27,206 9.2
2008 546,409 59,270 10.8 222,883 29,960 13.4 323,526 29,310 9.1
2009 644,200 64,091 9.9 264,469 33,225 12.6 379,731 30,866 8.1
2010 706,058 63,242 9.0 299,807 34,304 11.4 406,251 28,938 7.1
2011 724,404 65,354 9.0 314,313 36,387 11.6 410,091 28,967 7.1
2012 713,955 64,550 9.0 316,572 35,986 11.4 397,383 28,564 7.2
2013 677,721 59,163 8.7 313,441 33,875 10.8 364,280 25,288 6.9
2014 524,413 43,081 8.2 260,133 26,282 10.1 264,280 16,799 6.4
  Workers
1992 419,798 53,881 12.8 190,594 25,352 13.3 229,204 28,529 12.4
1993 469,151 58,275 12.4 206,606 27,306 13.2 262,545 30,969 11.8
1994 489,731 62,757 12.8 226,013 31,468 13.9 263,718 31,289 11.9
1995 458,036 60,584 13.2 218,950 31,563 14.4 239,086 29,021 12.1
1996 464,582 65,466 14.1 226,333 33,596 14.8 238,249 31,870 13.4
1997 403,225 59,978 14.9 206,148 33,373 16.2 197,077 26,605 13.5
1998 384,997 61,742 16.0 199,292 34,043 17.1 185,705 27,699 14.9
1999 384,286 55,272 14.4 202,999 31,712 15.6 181,287 23,560 13.0
2000 396,216 52,794 13.3 208,638 30,189 14.5 187,578 22,605 12.1
2001 422,937 52,905 12.5 215,591 29,647 13.8 207,346 23,258 11.2
2002 489,974 54,974 11.2 243,259 30,157 12.4 246,715 24,817 10.1
2003 529,775 55,342 10.4 252,226 29,348 11.6 277,549 25,994 9.4
2004 545,180 54,527 10.0 249,568 28,202 11.3 295,612 26,325 8.9
2005 501,374 49,029 9.8 225,707 25,640 11.4 275,667 23,389 8.5
2006 500,914 48,401 9.7 222,466 25,255 11.4 278,448 23,146 8.3
2007 503,474 54,428 10.8 218,683 28,949 13.2 284,791 25,479 8.9
2008 527,759 56,853 10.8 216,956 29,115 13.4 310,803 27,738 8.9
2009 621,655 61,308 9.9 257,998 32,324 12.5 363,657 28,984 8.0
2010 681,768 60,494 8.9 293,180 33,398 11.4 388,588 27,096 7.0
2011 699,607 62,552 8.9 307,173 35,433 11.5 392,434 27,119 6.9
2012 688,050 61,805 9.0 308,902 35,035 11.3 379,148 26,770 7.1
2013 653,862 56,773 8.7 306,542 33,036 10.8 347,320 23,737 6.8
2014 508,151 41,605 8.2 255,107 25,720 10.1 253,044 15,885 6.3
  Widow(er)s
1999 7,125 1,962 27.5 4,114 895 21.8 3,011 1,067 35.4
2000 6,379 1,572 24.6 3,872 734 19.0 2,507 838 33.4
2001 6,212 1,582 25.5 3,865 728 18.8 2,347 854 36.4
2002 6,390 1,392 21.8 3,996 649 16.2 2,394 743 31.0
2003 6,665 1,378 20.7 3,832 637 16.6 2,833 741 26.2
2004 6,475 1,549 23.9 3,457 597 17.3 3,018 952 31.5
2005 6,105 1,381 22.6 3,329 561 16.9 2,776 820 29.5
2006 5,985 1,308 21.9 3,120 461 14.8 2,865 847 29.6
2007 5,948 1,142 19.2 2,887 462 16.0 3,061 680 22.2
2008 6,347 923 14.5 2,858 393 13.8 3,489 530 15.2
2009 6,988 1,075 15.4 3,044 446 14.7 3,944 629 15.9
2010 7,359 1,052 14.3 3,073 462 15.0 4,286 590 13.8
2011 7,842 1,131 14.4 3,365 505 15.0 4,477 626 14.0
2012 8,132 1,134 13.9 3,539 490 13.8 4,593 644 14.0
2013 8,001 1,057 13.2 3,419 477 14.0 4,582 580 12.7
2014 5,888 710 12.1 2,503 336 13.4 3,385 374 11.0
  Adult children
1999 5,716 1,368 23.9 2,569 616 24.0 3,147 752 23.9
2000 5,163 1,265 24.5 2,455 550 22.4 2,708 715 26.4
2001 5,036 1,007 20.0 2,264 432 19.1 2,772 575 20.7
2002 6,077 1,094 18.0 2,567 406 15.8 3,510 688 19.6
2003 6,546 1,148 17.5 2,296 359 15.6 4,250 789 18.6
2004 6,977 1,287 18.4 2,258 370 16.4 4,719 917 19.4
2005 6,798 1,322 19.4 2,216 355 16.0 4,582 967 21.1
2006 7,544 1,441 19.1 2,336 361 15.5 5,208 1,080 20.7
2007 9,833 1,458 14.8 2,884 411 14.3 6,949 1,047 15.1
2008 12,303 1,494 12.1 3,069 452 14.7 9,234 1,042 11.3
2009 15,557 1,708 11.0 3,427 455 13.3 12,130 1,253 10.3
2010 16,931 1,696 10.0 3,554 444 12.5 13,377 1,252 9.4
2011 16,955 1,671 9.9 3,775 449 11.9 13,180 1,222 9.3
2012 17,773 1,611 9.1 4,131 461 11.2 13,642 1,150 8.4
2013 15,858 1,333 8.4 3,480 362 10.4 12,378 971 7.8
2014 10,374 766 7.4 2,523 226 9.0 7,851 540 6.9
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data are current through June 2015.
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the allowance rate will change over time.
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or be subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
A revised process was introduced on October 1, 1999, in 10 states, under which initial denials could be appealed directly to the hearing level without a reconsideration.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
SSI = Supplemental Security Income.
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year.
b. Rate for the Social Security portion only.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.
Table 63. Medical decisions at the hearing level or above, by year of application and program, 1992–2014
Year All decisions Decisions on applications for Social Security 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,b (percent)
  All disabled beneficiaries
1999 265,058 193,198 72.9 144,847 114,207 78.8 120,211 78,991 65.7
2000 290,068 211,697 73.0 157,001 124,015 79.0 133,067 87,682 65.9
2001 313,839 228,242 72.7 164,710 130,576 79.3 149,129 97,666 65.5
2002 369,875 267,597 72.3 189,671 150,834 79.5 180,204 116,763 64.8
2003 401,747 289,194 72.0 197,765 157,566 79.7 203,982 131,628 64.5
2004 415,339 301,463 72.6 196,715 159,335 81.0 218,624 142,128 65.0
2005 384,341 282,797 73.6 178,312 145,587 81.6 206,029 137,210 66.6
2006 387,024 279,193 72.1 176,338 142,375 80.7 210,686 136,818 64.9
2007 387,403 274,734 70.9 169,869 136,023 80.1 217,534 138,711 63.8
2008 402,161 276,474 68.7 166,328 131,488 79.1 235,833 144,986 61.5
2009 477,114 307,728 64.5 198,377 149,612 75.4 278,737 158,116 56.7
2010 528,231 316,463 59.9 226,770 161,118 71.0 301,461 155,345 51.5
2011 533,437 300,166 56.3 232,831 156,697 67.3 300,606 143,469 47.7
2012 459,069 259,614 56.6 206,670 139,724 67.6 252,399 119,890 47.5
2013 215,388 117,470 54.5 104,028 66,973 64.4 111,360 50,497 45.3
2014 18,062 8,954 49.6 10,067 5,694 56.6 7,995 3,260 40.8
  Workers
1992 275,863 201,359 73.0 131,624 105,371 80.1 144,239 95,988 66.5
1993 310,655 217,816 70.1 143,997 112,593 78.2 166,658 105,223 63.1
1994 323,607 220,645 68.2 156,458 119,338 76.3 167,149 101,307 60.6
1995 301,917 202,739 67.2 150,882 113,781 75.4 151,035 88,958 58.9
1996 306,245 204,704 66.8 157,790 116,292 73.7 148,455 88,412 59.6
1997 267,288 186,278 69.7 141,021 107,539 76.3 126,267 78,739 62.4
1998 251,486 179,107 71.2 134,883 104,763 77.7 116,603 74,344 63.8
1999 260,850 190,326 73.0 141,671 111,954 79.0 119,179 78,372 65.8
2000 285,620 208,668 73.1 153,649 121,651 79.2 131,971 87,017 65.9
2001 309,372 225,214 72.8 161,335 128,214 79.5 148,037 97,000 65.5
2002 364,659 264,024 72.4 185,830 148,078 79.7 178,829 115,946 64.8
2003 396,352 285,621 72.1 194,232 155,060 79.8 202,120 130,561 64.6
2004 410,160 297,973 72.6 193,481 156,966 81.1 216,679 141,007 65.1
2005 379,242 279,186 73.6 175,088 143,130 81.7 204,154 136,056 66.6
2006 381,769 275,630 72.2 173,089 140,048 80.9 208,680 135,582 65.0
2007 379,546 269,952 71.1 166,451 133,631 80.3 213,095 136,321 64.0
2008 390,962 269,893 69.0 162,528 128,738 79.2 228,434 141,155 61.8
2009 463,843 300,616 64.8 194,372 146,825 75.5 269,471 153,791 57.1
2010 513,997 309,480 60.2 222,588 158,352 71.1 291,409 151,128 51.9
2011 518,849 293,126 56.5 228,324 153,771 67.3 290,525 139,355 48.0
2012 445,463 253,195 56.8 202,431 137,006 67.7 243,032 116,189 47.8
2013 208,953 114,547 54.8 101,839 65,587 64.4 107,114 48,960 45.7
2014 17,369 8,576 49.4 9,703 5,413 55.8 7,666 3,163 41.3
  Widow(er)s
1999 3,027 2,285 75.5 2,325 1,794 77.2 702 491 69.9
2000 3,140 2,388 76.1 2,414 1,870 77.5 726 518 71.3
2001 3,046 2,344 77.0 2,391 1,862 77.9 655 482 73.6
2002 3,438 2,685 78.1 2,654 2,109 79.5 784 576 73.5
2003 3,525 2,683 76.1 2,438 1,914 78.5 1,087 769 70.7
2004 3,241 2,589 79.9 2,199 1,804 82.0 1,042 785 75.3
2005 3,187 2,592 81.3 2,166 1,814 83.7 1,021 778 76.2
2006 3,172 2,574 81.1 2,087 1,726 82.7 1,085 848 78.2
2007 3,642 2,877 79.0 1,960 1,601 81.7 1,682 1,276 75.9
2008 4,383 3,456 78.9 2,045 1,706 83.4 2,338 1,750 74.9
2009 4,741 3,623 76.4 2,118 1,740 82.2 2,623 1,883 71.8
2010 5,112 3,677 71.9 2,170 1,694 78.1 2,942 1,983 67.4
2011 5,290 3,729 70.5 2,318 1,748 75.4 2,972 1,981 66.7
2012 4,912 3,417 69.6 2,202 1,665 75.6 2,710 1,752 64.6
2013 2,544 1,694 66.6 1,226 906 73.9 1,318 788 59.8
2014 340 250 73.5 233 196 84.1 107 54 50.5
  Adult children
1999 1,181 587 49.7 851 459 53.9 330 128 38.8
2000 1,308 641 49.0 938 494 52.7 370 147 39.7
2001 1,421 684 48.1 984 500 50.8 437 184 42.1
2002 1,778 888 49.9 1,187 647 54.5 591 241 40.8
2003 1,870 890 47.6 1,095 592 54.1 775 298 38.5
2004 1,938 901 46.5 1,035 565 54.6 903 336 37.2
2005 1,912 1,019 53.3 1,058 643 60.8 854 376 44.0
2006 2,083 989 47.5 1,162 601 51.7 921 388 42.1
2007 4,215 1,905 45.2 1,458 791 54.3 2,757 1,114 40.4
2008 6,816 3,125 45.8 1,755 1,044 59.5 5,061 2,081 41.1
2009 8,530 3,489 40.9 1,887 1,047 55.5 6,643 2,442 36.8
2010 9,122 3,306 36.2 2,012 1,072 53.3 7,110 2,234 31.4
2011 9,298 3,311 35.6 2,189 1,178 53.8 7,109 2,133 30.0
2012 8,694 3,002 34.5 2,037 1,053 51.7 6,657 1,949 29.3
2013 3,891 1,229 31.6 963 480 49.8 2,928 749 25.6
2014 353 128 36.3 131 85 64.9 222 43 19.4
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data are current through July 2015.
Because a number of applications remain pending for more recent years, the allowance rate will change over time.
Applications with a medical decision may be pending a final nonmedical decision or be subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
A revised process was introduced on October 1, 1999, in 10 states, under which initial denials could be appealed directly to the hearing level without a reconsideration.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
SSI = Supplemental Security Income.
a. Rate determined by dividing medical allowances by all medical decisions for that year.
b. Rate for the Social Security portion only.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.
Table 64. Number and percentage distribution of final medical allowances, by year of application and reason for allowance, 1992–2014
Year Total Meets level of severity of listings Equals level of severity of listings Medical and vocational factors considered Other a
Number Percent
  All disabled beneficiaries
1999 708,797 100.0 33.0 5.9 26.9 34.2
2000 766,047 100.0 31.1 6.2 29.2 33.5
2001 840,542 100.0 30.0 6.1 30.1 33.9
2002 898,047 100.0 28.5 5.3 30.1 36.1
2003 928,747 100.0 27.1 5.1 31.1 36.7
2004 961,376 100.0 26.4 4.9 31.5 37.2
2005 907,877 100.0 26.5 4.7 32.0 36.8
2006 890,604 100.0 26.4 4.5 31.9 37.3
2007 912,946 100.0 26.1 4.6 32.7 36.5
2008 969,288 100.0 25.5 5.2 34.2 35.1
2009 1,104,108 100.0 24.4 5.2 35.7 34.7
2010 1,116,395 100.0 23.2 5.1 36.4 35.4
2011 1,066,277 100.0 22.6 5.1 37.8 34.5
2012 1,010,144 100.0 22.7 5.1 39.2 33.0
2013 810,332 100.0 26.6 5.6 44.1 23.8
2014 640,347 100.0 31.8 6.2 49.3 12.7
  Workers
1992 689,111 100.0 34.3 11.1 24.3 30.3
1993 695,007 100.0 34.3 8.7 23.6 33.4
1994 671,791 100.0 34.5 6.9 25.6 32.9
1995 628,380 100.0 34.5 6.7 26.8 31.9
1996 652,221 100.0 34.2 7.0 27.4 31.5
1997 602,277 100.0 35.0 7.5 26.4 31.1
1998 613,181 100.0 35.5 6.6 26.9 31.0
1999 640,065 100.0 33.6 6.3 28.3 31.9
2000 695,007 100.0 31.7 6.5 30.6 31.2
2001 769,877 100.0 30.5 6.4 31.3 31.8
2002 823,981 100.0 29.0 5.6 31.4 34.0
2003 853,832 100.0 27.5 5.3 32.5 34.8
2004 883,784 100.0 26.7 5.2 32.9 35.2
2005 829,087 100.0 27.0 4.9 33.6 34.5
2006 811,678 100.0 26.9 4.8 33.5 34.9
2007 828,528 100.0 26.6 4.9 34.6 34.0
2008 877,652 100.0 26.0 5.5 36.3 32.2
2009 1,004,605 100.0 24.9 5.5 37.8 31.8
2010 1,012,746 100.0 23.7 5.4 38.7 32.2
2011 963,555 100.0 23.1 5.4 40.4 31.1
2012 904,521 100.0 23.4 5.5 42.2 28.9
2013 714,952 100.0 27.8 6.1 48.2 17.9
2014 554,946 100.0 34.0 6.9 55.1 4.0
  Widow(er)s
1999 29,108 100.0 14.9 2.5 24.6 58.0
2000 29,679 100.0 12.8 2.5 26.3 58.4
2001 30,113 100.0 12.3 2.6 27.0 58.1
2002 30,547 100.0 11.4 2.1 26.5 60.0
2003 29,977 100.0 10.8 2.2 26.1 60.9
2004 30,780 100.0 10.1 1.9 26.0 62.0
2005 30,215 100.0 9.7 1.7 25.5 63.1
2006 29,443 100.0 9.6 1.5 24.2 64.7
2007 29,536 100.0 9.1 1.6 24.3 64.9
2008 31,133 100.0 8.7 1.7 24.8 64.7
2009 32,488 100.0 8.1 1.9 26.1 63.9
2010 34,203 100.0 7.7 1.9 25.3 65.1
2011 33,516 100.0 7.8 1.7 25.3 65.2
2012 34,953 100.0 6.9 1.6 24.5 67.1
2013 31,563 100.0 6.7 1.7 24.7 66.9
2014 28,286 100.0 6.9 1.6 23.5 68.0
  Adult children
1999 39,624 100.0 35.9 3.2 7.4 53.5
2000 41,361 100.0 35.0 3.1 7.3 54.7
2001 40,552 100.0 33.0 3.0 8.0 56.0
2002 43,519 100.0 31.7 2.9 7.6 57.8
2003 44,938 100.0 31.0 2.7 8.2 58.2
2004 46,812 100.0 30.1 2.7 8.5 58.6
2005 48,575 100.0 28.5 2.5 8.3 60.7
2006 49,483 100.0 28.4 2.6 8.8 60.2
2007 54,882 100.0 28.3 2.6 9.0 60.1
2008 60,503 100.0 26.6 2.5 8.6 62.2
2009 67,015 100.0 24.8 2.5 8.8 63.9
2010 69,446 100.0 23.2 2.3 8.3 66.1
2011 69,206 100.0 21.9 2.3 7.9 67.8
2012 70,670 100.0 21.6 2.3 7.4 68.7
2013 63,817 100.0 22.0 2.2 7.4 68.4
2014 57,115 100.0 22.1 2.0 6.6 69.2
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2015. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2015.
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 be subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
Data include decisions for Social Security–only applications and applications for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI); they do not include SSI-only claims.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
a. Includes applications for which the disability was previously established and those for which the basis for the determination is not available. The majority of applications for which the basis of determination is not available are cases allowed at or above the hearing level.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.
Table 65. Number and percentage distribution of final medical denials, by year of application and reason for denial, 1992–2014
Year Total Impairment did not or is not expected to last 12 months Impairment is not severe Able to do usual past work Able to do other type of work Other a
Number Percent
  All disabled beneficiaries
1999 450,051 100.0 10.2 17.8 28.3 30.8 12.9
2000 460,284 100.0 10.0 17.2 28.2 30.4 14.1
2001 500,414 100.0 9.2 16.7 28.0 31.1 14.9
2002 584,497 100.0 8.5 17.1 28.2 31.3 14.9
2003 636,769 100.0 7.5 17.7 28.2 31.8 14.9
2004 683,445 100.0 6.8 18.4 27.6 31.5 15.7
2005 649,134 100.0 6.5 19.2 26.7 31.4 16.3
2006 660,662 100.0 6.3 19.8 26.2 31.3 16.4
2007 650,025 100.0 6.3 20.4 26.3 31.0 16.0
2008 667,395 100.0 5.8 21.4 25.9 31.3 15.6
2009 796,534 100.0 4.7 22.5 25.4 32.3 15.2
2010 875,305 100.0 4.1 23.4 24.7 32.3 15.6
2011 881,285 100.0 3.9 23.9 20.4 33.5 18.2
2012 826,425 100.0 4.0 25.1 16.0 38.1 16.8
2013 686,426 100.0 4.3 25.6 14.6 39.8 15.7
2014 617,680 100.0 4.5 25.0 13.6 39.4 17.4
  Workers
1992 487,164 100.0 10.7 22.9 28.4 29.6 8.4
1993 546,532 100.0 10.4 22.7 27.6 29.8 9.5
1994 578,664 100.0 10.2 21.5 25.9 28.8 13.6
1995 547,145 100.0 10.6 20.8 25.4 29.4 13.8
1996 542,493 100.0 10.2 19.6 24.7 30.6 14.8
1997 453,676 100.0 10.6 18.5 25.7 30.5 14.6
1998 426,158 100.0 10.8 18.3 27.8 30.8 12.3
1999 423,494 100.0 10.6 17.4 29.3 30.1 12.6
2000 434,363 100.0 10.4 16.8 29.3 29.7 13.9
2001 474,536 100.0 9.5 16.4 29.0 30.4 14.7
2002 554,996 100.0 8.8 16.8 29.2 30.6 14.7
2003 603,986 100.0 7.7 17.4 29.2 31.0 14.6
2004 648,622 100.0 7.0 18.2 28.5 30.8 15.4
2005 614,442 100.0 6.7 19.0 27.7 30.6 16.0
2006 620,699 100.0 6.5 19.5 27.4 30.6 16.0
2007 607,083 100.0 6.6 20.1 27.7 30.0 15.6
2008 623,261 100.0 6.1 21.2 27.3 30.3 15.1
2009 744,255 100.0 4.9 22.4 26.8 31.2 14.8
2010 817,565 100.0 4.3 23.2 26.1 31.2 15.3
2011 824,269 100.0 4.1 23.7 21.5 32.6 18.1
2012 770,803 100.0 4.2 24.9 16.9 37.4 16.6
2013 637,656 100.0 4.6 25.4 15.4 39.2 15.4
2014 575,306 100.0 4.8 24.8 14.3 38.9 17.2
  Widow(er)s
1999 9,735 100.0 5.6 29.0 31.8 22.7 10.8
2000 9,024 100.0 5.3 29.0 31.4 22.3 12.1
2001 8,751 100.0 4.7 27.6 31.2 22.8 13.7
2002 8,959 100.0 4.8 25.5 32.9 23.9 13.0
2003 9,577 100.0 4.2 25.7 33.1 23.7 13.3
2004 9,576 100.0 3.6 26.5 32.2 23.0 14.7
2005 9,279 100.0 3.6 26.7 32.0 22.8 15.0
2006 9,812 100.0 3.8 25.7 31.6 23.1 15.9
2007 9,007 100.0 3.6 27.3 31.2 22.0 15.9
2008 8,638 100.0 3.3 27.8 30.8 21.9 16.2
2009 8,966 100.0 2.8 28.8 30.2 22.2 16.0
2010 9,747 100.0 2.7 29.4 27.9 24.0 16.0
2011 9,832 100.0 2.9 28.2 27.0 24.9 17.0
2012 9,627 100.0 2.4 29.1 23.2 27.9 17.4
2013 8,976 100.0 2.5 29.0 21.9 30.8 15.8
2014 8,278 100.0 2.7 26.6 21.4 31.5 17.9
  Adult children
1999 16,822 100.0 3.1 22.7 0.7 53.3 20.2
2000 16,897 100.0 2.8 22.9 0.7 51.9 21.7
2001 17,127 100.0 2.5 21.3 0.9 52.9 22.3
2002 20,542 100.0 2.3 21.6 0.8 53.6 21.7
2003 23,206 100.0 2.0 21.8 0.7 53.6 21.9
2004 25,247 100.0 1.9 22.1 0.5 52.4 23.1
2005 25,413 100.0 1.8 21.3 0.4 52.8 23.8
2006 30,151 100.0 1.7 23.7 0.4 50.3 23.9
2007 33,935 100.0 1.6 24.0 0.3 49.9 24.2
2008 35,496 100.0 1.5 24.8 0.2 51.0 22.5
2009 43,313 100.0 1.2 23.4 0.1 53.5 21.8
2010 47,993 100.0 1.2 24.7 0.1 53.1 20.9
2011 47,184 100.0 1.0 26.2 0.0 52.6 20.2
2012 45,995 100.0 0.9 27.8 0.0 51.5 19.7
2013 39,794 100.0 0.9 28.0 0.0 51.1 19.9
2014 34,096 100.0 1.0 29.2 0.0 49.1 20.8
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research file, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data for the initial and reconsideration levels are current through June 2015. Data for the hearing level or above are current through July 2015.
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 be subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
Data include decisions for Social Security–only applications and applications for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI); they do not include SSI-only claims.
Data from 1992 through 1998 are available for disabled workers only.
a. Applicant has an impairment resulting from drug addiction or alcoholism, provided insufficient medical 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. Also includes cases denied at or above the hearing level for which the basis of determination is not available.
CONTACT: (410) 965-0090 or statistics@ssa.gov.