Going through the Social Security Disability application process can be an exhausting process. And to make matters more complicated, the approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can vary by state as well.
The states that have the highest favorable outcomes for SSDI and SSI include Tennessee, New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah, and Hawaii. This variation is due to factors such as the state’s economic landscape, access to healthcare, and other considerations.
States that have the worst approval rates for Social Security Disability benefits include Alaska, Kansas, Delaware, Wisconsin, and Rhode Island. This can be due to various reasons, such as the state’s economic conditions, policies, access to healthcare, and other factors.
In this article, we will talk about states that have the highest and lowest rates of favorable disability outcomes.
SSI and SSDI Overview
The Social Security Disability Insurance program helps people whose physical or mental conditions are so severe that they can’t do their regular jobs or any other type of work. The condition must be expected to last at least one year or to end in death.
SSI is also a social security program that provides benefits to individuals who are disabled, blind, or 65 and older, typically using the same criteria as SSDI. SSI also has additional financial requirements related to the applicant’s income and assets.
The main difference between these two programs is their target and criteria. SSI is intended for individuals who have low income and assets, whereas SSDI works as a disability insurance program, having no regard for a person’s financial resources as long as they fulfill the necessary work credit requirements.
Why Disability Approval Rates Vary Across States
What makes the claim acceptance rates for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance vary from state to state when the federal government runs both programs?
One reason for this is that the SSDI and SSI federal programs are both managed by state and local authorities.
People who want to get disability payments from SSDI or SSI must first go to the state Disability Determination Service (DDS) office, which examines their claims.
Despite the fact that all case reviewers at DDS receive training to use the same standards while evaluating a claimant’s benefits application, the significant variation in the approval rates shows that not all DDS offices review claims the same.
One possible explanation for the difference in the approval or rejection rates is that each DDS office’s caseload or case backlog is very different.
Due to heavy workloads and inadequate staffing levels, DDS reviewers are unable to devote sufficient time to each claim. Therefore, some evaluators jump to conclusions without thoroughly investigating a claimant’s file.
It’s possible for a case reviewer at a DDS office with less workload to notice that an application is missing in a document.
If this happens, the claimant may be told to add the missing document to the file, and the claim can be returned to them. If that same situation arises in a DDS office with too many claims to review, the case worker might just turn down the claim because it’s not supplemented with the required documents.
Factors Affecting Approval Rates in States
The variation in the approval rates of SSDI and SSI applications across states can also be attributed to multiple other factors:
Economic Landscape
States that are economically stable and have low unemployment rates are considered favorable for SSI and SSDI claimants. People are less likely to seek disability payments when the labor market is stable because they have more opportunities to work. This results in a lower backlog for the SSA offices.
Medical Care
Higher approval rates may be observed in states where citizens have easier access to high-quality healthcare services. This also results in a lower number of individuals seeking out disability payments and a lower backlog.
Demographic Trends
States that have a bigger pool of qualified applicants and a population that is, for example, older or that has a higher frequency of particular disabilities may have higher acceptance rates.
Assistance and Support
States that have powerful advocacy networks for people with disabilities, community organizations, and legal aid agencies are in a better position to offer applicants better guidance and assistance during the application process.
State Measures
Disability benefits, healthcare, and social welfare program approval rates are affected by state-level government policy. States that offer more generous benefits or that have application processes that are more simplified may also have more excellent approval rates.
Education and Awareness
Disabled people can get disability benefits if states make disability education and awareness campaigns a priority. This can lead to better-prepared applicants who submit more accurate applications.
Administrative Structure
People are more likely to receive Social Security benefits when the administrative structure is smooth. The acceptance rate might be higher in states where the systems are well managed since applications could be processed more rapidly.
The Best States for Favorable SSDI and SSI Outcomes
Significant differences were observed across states in the 2023 approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income applications. There are a lot of factors that contribute to these differences, including economic situations, access to healthcare, demographics, advocacy activities, government initiatives, education, and administrative efficiency.
States with more progressive advocacy and social systems, such as North Dakota, Hawaii, and Utah, have greater approval ratings. Low acceptance rates were found in areas such as Alabama, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, which may be attributed to economic hardships, healthcare access issues, and educational and awareness gaps.
It is also important to understand that approval rates are subject to fluctuation over time as a result of many factors, such as changes in policy and economic situations.
As the United States works to overcome obstacles related to disabilities, gaining a more thorough understanding of approval rates might help shape policies specific to each state and initiatives more inclusive of people with disabilities.
The following states have favorable outcomes for SSI and SSDI:
Tennessee
Tennessee has a 54% approval rate for Social Security disability benefits. The 2021 statewide disability census found that 13.8% of all-age Tennessee people had some kind of disability. This is higher than the 12.7% disability rate in the United States as a whole.
It has one of the highest rates of people with disabilities in the nation, with over 30% of residents over 65 and 55% of residents over 75 reporting that they have some kind of disability. Many groups in Tennessee help those with disabilities, and the state rates highly in disability funding, programs, and rights.
New Jersey
The approval rating for Social Security disabiity benefits in New Jersey is 56%. In 2012, the Disability Status Report found that 10.3% of people across all age groups claimed to have a disability, which is lower than the national average. More than half of all disability applicants, regardless of age, obtain payments from Social Security, with their acceptance rating at 56%.
New Mexico
The national numbers for the total number of people with disabilities are comparable to those of New Mexico, but there are several key differences. New Mexico has the highest percentage of children and persons over 65 receiving disability benefits, according to the 2021 national census. A small percentage of New Mexican children (1.7%) are listed as disabled, and the vast majority of those children receive full benefits from Social Security disability insurance.
Utah
The results of the American Community Survey conducted in 2021 revealed that the percentage of people in Utah who suffered from a disability was only 8.9%, which is about 4% lower than the overall percentage in the country. But with a 63% approval rate, Utah has one of the best disability programs in the country and the second-highest approval rate for disability.
Hawaii
You can get disability benefits more easily in Hawaii than in any other state. The acceptance rate for disability benefits in Hawaii was 79% in 2022, making it the top state in the nation for this benefit. More than two-thirds of people who apply for Social Security are accepted, even though Hawaii has one of the most minor populations of disabled people in the country.
Pennsylvania
It is the fourth-most walkable state in the US and ranks ninth for public transit. It also has the third-best transit score overall. Workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania provides a living wage of $11.45 an hour, placing the state in the top half of the list for people primarily interested in economic data. Disabled people are also likely to get disability benefits in this state.
The Worst States for SSDI and SSI Outcomes
Although certain states approve a higher number of disability claims, there are also states where you have a good chance of having your claim denied. The five states with the worst disability approval rates are as follows:
Alaska
Alaska has a 17% approval rating. Over the last several years, Alaska’s approval rating has been consistently lower than the national average.
As a result, it is the state with the most difficult disability claim process. Fortunately, the standard wait time for a hearing is only 14 months, which is much shorter than the 19-month national average.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that out of 137,688 people who are disabled, only 11,583 are getting disability benefits.
Kansas
The approval rate in Kansas is 33%. The majority of Kansas denials occur during the reconsideration phase. Reconsideration appeals are granted to just 18% of applicants.
Delaware
The approval rating for Delaware is 35%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 198,284 adults in Delaware are living with a disability. Still, as of 2019, just 26,574 individuals in the state are getting disability benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. In simple terms, out of all the people with disabilities in the state, only around 13% are getting assistance.
Approval ratings in Delaware have been steadily rising over the last several years. In fact, it’s close to matching the national average. However, it still remains among the nation’s lowest.
Wisconsin
The approval rating in Wisconsin is 35%. The approval rate in Wisconsin is similar to the national average, just like in Delaware. However, in comparison to other states, it remains low. But the state’s acceptance rate for reconsideration requests is 19%, which is much higher than the national average.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a 36% approval rating. Rhode Island’s processing time is shorter than that of several other states. On average, applicants will hear back from the system within approximately 11 months. Although it is marginally higher than the national average, it only approves approximately 36% of all claims.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Disability Approval
Luckily, there are ways you can maximize your chances of a favorable outcome, regardless of which state you reside in. Just follow the tips below:
Make Sure the Application Is Complete
Make sure you are well-prepared and have all of the necessary paperwork on hand before you start the disability application process. The Social Security Administration has created a very useful checklist that can be printed out for this purpose. See what data you already have and what you could be missing.
Be ready to answer questions regarding your health in addition to the standard personal information like your citizenship status, date of birth, marital status, and any relevant details like your children’s dates of birth.
You will be required to provide an extensive amount of information regarding your medical issues, the medical procedures that you have had, the medical facilities that you have visited, as well as the names of your physicians and any other healthcare providers that you have seen.
Last but not least, you’ll have to fill out some paperwork detailing your educational background, training, and employment history going back 15 years.
Maintain Detailed and Accurate Medical Records
The key to winning a disability claim is having adequate medical proof. Make sure you have all of your medical paperwork in order before you begin the application process.
Even though the Social Security Administration will ask for the records directly, hospitals and doctors’ offices already have a lot on their plates between paperwork and patients’ clinical care demands. You can guarantee that all of the necessary paperwork gets into the correct hands by personally requesting and organizing your medical records.
Additionally, make sure to keep gathering any additional medical evidence you can after you have finished your application. For instance, you should inquire about the outcomes of any recent tests, such as x-rays, blood work, or treatment records, that you might need.
Keeping a journal detailing the dates of all your experiences with healthcare specialists will support your case even further. Include all doctors and nurses, even if they don’t seem to have anything to do with your situation.
Take, for instance, a case where you are seeking treatment from a psychiatrist for anxiety, but your application is for cancer; make sure to include this information in your documents.
Gather Documents
Carefully review the Social Security Administration’s given checklist to ensure you have all the necessary documents before you begin filling out your application. You will be required to provide basic personal information, such as the names and dates of birth of your children, as well as a comprehensive account of your condition, as well as your marriage and divorce history.
In addition to this, you will be required to provide your employment history, as well as your school background and any professional training that you have participated in.
The medical data you include is especially important. You must provide documentation that details your medical history, including any visits to hospitals and clinics, treatments received, and diagnoses that substantiate your disability claim. Additionally, you must submit any relevant blood work results and x-rays.
The strength of medical proof is often what makes or breaks disability claims. Having all of your medical documents in one place and in good order will significantly improve your chances of winning your disability claim.
Build Rapport with Medical Providers
The Social Security Administration will take into account the medical opinions of your treating physicians, reviewing whether or not their conclusions are consistent and if they can be supported.
The medical records and the doctors’ views about your disability claim must match up well. If you are able to get your treating physicians to provide written statements that describe consistently how your impairment restricts your capacity to work, this would be beneficial to your case.
Cooperate with the SSA
You must always make sure to cooperate with the SSA and comply with their requests. If the SSA requests that you go in for a consultative physical or mental evaluation, you should comply with their request. If they ask for more medical records, get them as soon as possible by following up with your treatment doctors.
Regularly Check In on Your Claim’s Progress
Each year, the Social Security Administration serves millions of people who have filed claims. Though you may be seriously ill and eligible for benefits, know that you are part of a huge community dealing with the same thing. You should maintain constant communication with the SSA to guarantee that your case is being treated properly.
Get in touch with a claims representative if you need clarification regarding your claim’s progress or any other relevant details. Keeping an independent record of your interactions with the date, name, and phone number of the individual you spoke with might be useful.
You won’t miss any critical dates that follow if you monitor the progress of your claim closely. For instance, there are deadlines to file an appeal in the event that your claim is rejected.
Keep a Journal
Document your medical condition and the ways in which your daily symptoms affect your work and daily life in a journal. Maintain a note of any side effects you’ve experienced while taking your prescribed drugs.
If you suffer from chronic pain, it’s important to keep track of your good and bad days. Be specific about the amount of pain you were experiencing and how it affected your ability to work. Instead of just stating that the pain was “bad,” be specific and mention whatever you had to give up due to the discomfort.
Add Testimonials
You should ask your loved ones and friends to fill out a Social Security Administration 795 form, which requires them to write a statement concerning the symptoms and difficulties they have seen you encounter as a result of your disability.
Using this method, you can tell your experience from the perspective of those who are familiar with you and who see you frequently. These comments can really help the SSA understand how your disability has changed your life by giving them more information about your disability.
Work with a Disability Lawyer
Working with a Social Security Disability lawyer can have several advantages, and data shows that claimants who had legal representation had a higher approval rate than those who did not. An experienced disability lawyer can help you file an effective application by making sure you submit an accurate application complete with all the documents that the SSA requires. They can also help keep track of important deadlines.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are significant differences in approval rates between different states. Luckily, there are ways you can strengthen your case and file an effective disability application, regardless of which state you live in.
If you want your disability claim to be accepted as soon as possible, it’s in your best interest to gather all of your medical records, practice being precise when describing your symptoms and restrictions, and have everything you need on hand.
