You had some bad luck, and you can't work like you used to, or at all. Money is tighter, and you need some help. Luckily, this is why you pay taxes.
Social security has been set up by the government, financed by your taxes, to help people who can't work to support themselves. If you're interested in your chances of getting your SSDI approved, and want to know what social security disability approval rates by state look like, then check out our article and find out.
What Is SSDI?
Social security disability insurance is a program managed by the SSA, the Social Security Administration of the United States. It's a payroll tax-funded program. In other words, it's not a hand-out but an example of your tax dollars hard at work.
The core purpose of the SSDI is to provide monthly financial benefits to people with a genuine medical disability that prevents them from working.
Requirements to Qualify for SSDI
In order to qualify, your medical condition needs to be eligible as a disability, according to the SSA. Furthermore, you need to have worked at a job (or jobs) that are covered by social security.
You will not be covered for partial and short-term disability. The condition needs to be expected to last for at least a year, or that it might result in death. Furthermore, its so severe that you cannot perform a substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to said medical issue.
Social Security Disability Approval Rates by State
Below, you can find data from the official US government websites of the Social Security Agency. The numbers refer to the percentage of all approved SSDI applications in the US, in 2021, by state. We also added information on SSI Child Disability Allowance Rates.
| State | SSDI Approval Rates by State in 2021 | SSI Child Disability Allowance Rates by State in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30% | 42% |
| Alaska | 56% | 82% |
| Arizona | 30% | 50% |
| Arkansas | 35% | 45% |
| California | 34% | 58% |
| Colorado | 33% | 69% |
| Connecticut | 37% | 53% |
| Delaware | 36% | 37% |
| District of Columbia | 27% | 39% |
| Florida | 32% | 49% |
| Georgia | 37% | 39% |
| Hawaii | 33% | 66% |
| Idaho | 41% | 75% |
| Illinois | 36% | 50% |
| Indiana | 30% | 38% |
| Iowa | 40% | 56% |
| Kansas | 58% | 65% |
| Kentucky | 31% | 49% |
| Louisiana | 38% | 47% |
| Maine | 33% | 57% |
| Maryland | 34% | 62% |
| Massachusetts | 40% | 62% |
| Michigan | 37% | 48% |
| Minnesota | 40% | 62% |
| Mississippi | 30% | 42% |
| Missouri | 37% | 55% |
| Montana | 41% | 62% |
| Nebraska | 46% | 68% |
| Nevada | 36% | 53% |
| New Hampshire | 47% | 67% |
| New Jersey | 36% | 54% |
| New Mexico | 35% | 56% |
| New York | 35% | 54% |
| North Carolina | 31% | 48% |
| North Dakota | 42% | 68% |
| Ohio | 35% | 46% |
| Oklahoma | 28% | 50% |
| Oregon | 39% | 69% |
| Pennsylvania | 35% | 45% |
| Rhode Island | 42% | 57% |
| South Carolina | 35% | 40% |
| South Dakota | 40% | 70% |
| Tennessee | 34% | 45% |
| Texas | 34% | 53% |
| Utah | 36% | 65% |
| Vermont | 41% | 68% |
| Virginia | 41% | 52% |
| Washington | 37% | 59% |
| West Virginia | 29% | 47% |
| Wisconsin | 35% | 59% |
| Wyoming | 43% | 62% |
| Total Average | 37% | 55% |
An Overview of SSDI in America
There is one very important note that we need to point out. The SSDI program is a federal program. In other words, social security disability rates by state, while different, are not calculated differently.
The state you live in will not influence the amount of money you can get (officially).
However, different states do implement other aspects of the program differently. They might have different requirements, and different offices (under the federal government) that might require different information.
So, just because you're in a state with high approval rates does not mean you have better odds at getting your SSDI request approved.
With that being said, it is interesting to note just how much States vary. For example, Vermont, which has one of the lowest GDPs in the States, is very close to the top of approval rates, at 41%. In comparison, the National average is 37%.
Then, Kansas has the highest approval rates, with 58% of all applications being accepted. On the other hand, D.C. is the hardest state to get disability, at 27%, with Oklahoma coming in second at 28%.
There doesn't seem to be any clear distribution by approval. Both rich and poor states can be found at either end of the spectrum, as well as the middle.
Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart
Keep in mind that, unlike SSI and other benefits, the income you can receive is not dependent on the severity of your medical condition. In fact, the three main factors are:
Average lifetime earnings before the disability began
The income you receive from other disability payments (which decreases your SSDI payments)
Whether you have a spouse and children
The best way to get the exact numbers is to use the government’s official calculator, and wait for the results. Namely, they use a specific points system, along with complex calculations that are much more easily handled by the above calculator.
They do not take into account the state you live in, and there are no best states for disability benefits. However, there are states that might provide you with better healthcare, or other non-federal types of assistance.
That being said, below is an illustrated example of what a 55-year-old can expect, based on their income.
| Annual Income | Monthly Benefits |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,000 - $1,300 |
| $75,000 | $1,500 - $1,900 |
| $100,000 | $2,400 - $2,700 |
Social Security Disability Extra Benefits
Note that the primary factor for your SSDI amount is based on your pre-disability income. However, there are certain additional benefits you might be eligible for.
For example, if your spouse or ex-spouse has died, you might get “survivor benefit.” You might also get “parents benefits” if your child provides you with at least half of your support. Furthermore, if you experienced a loss of financial resources, and if your income has declined, you might be eligible for the Supplemental Security Income program.
FAQ
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What percent of SSDI claims are denied?
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