The Most Common Reasons People Are Denied Disability in the United States

The USA has had a publicly funded safety net system in place for many decades now. Every paycheck a person receives has a small amount taken out to be put toward Social Security programs. Among these programs are SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance. Essentially, this program sends payments to people who are unable to work because of a mental or physical disability. 

We spoke to a disability attorney in Palm Bay, Florida to find out more about this program. We asked her what the top reasons are people get denied. Here is what she had to say.

“The number one reason people get denied SSDI is because the application lacks substantial evidence proving that the applicant is indeed disabled and/or unable to earn a living”. 

We found this interesting because it combines two reasons into one really. The person who is unable to prove they are disabled and the person who incorrectly or inadequately fills out the forms end up with the same result. 

So, what does this mean? It means that there is either insufficient evidence or that the applicant needs to work with a professional to make sure the case is submitted properly. In fact, having an attorney work on your case doubles the odds of being approved. This same stat also applies to appeals. If you are denied, then hiring an attorney to work on your appeal guarantees you a much better chance at success. 

Deeper into SSDI Stats

As of the most recent available figures (around mid-2026 / July 2026 Monthly Statistical Snapshot and related reports):

• Total Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries (disabled workers + spouses + children of disabled workers): roughly 7.97–8.1 million. 
• Disabled workers: about 6.99–7.1 million.
• Spouses: ~87,000–89,000.
• Children: ~0.9 million.

Broader counts of people receiving benefits based on disability (including disabled adult children and disabled widow(er)s under OASDI) were around 8.5–8.6 million as of late 2024 / end of 2025 (e.g., ~8.6 million in December 2024; ~8.16–8.54 million range depending on exact category and date in 2025). 

The number of disabled-worker beneficiaries has been gradually declining in recent years (from higher peaks earlier in the 2010s) even as applications and awards have fluctuated.

Average monthly benefit for disabled workers is roughly $1,630–$1,635 (recent 2026 data); overall DI average is lower (~$1,500 range) when including dependents. 

Summary

The disability system is there for people who really need it. It offers a lifeline for people who are truly unable to work. About 75% of first-time applicants are denied because of incomplete data or lacking evidence. About 25% of those people will win their case on appeal. Still, this means that at least half of all people who apply for SSDI are denied. 

An attorney can help at every stage of the process including initial application, appeal, hearing, and trial. They don’t get paid anything if your case isn’t approved. They are also capped at how much they can charge you for the life of the claim. Consulting an attorney is probably the best thing an applicant can do.