SSI Annual Statistical Report, 2008

Table 74.
Percentage distribution of final medical denials, by age, year of application, and reason for denial, 1992–2007
Year	Total		Impairment did not or is not expected to last 12 months	Impairment is not severe	Impairment does not cause severe functional limitations ^a	Able to do usual past work ^b	Able to do other type of work ^b	Other ^c
Year	Number	Percent	Impairment did not or is not expected to last 12 months	Impairment is not severe	Impairment does not cause severe functional limitations ^a	Able to do usual past work ^b	Able to do other type of work ^b	Other ^c
	All ages ^d
1992	743,395	100.0	7.3	22.1	. . .	17.5	26.3	26.9
1993	939,357	100.0	6.6	21.2	. . .	15.4	24.8	31.9
1994	1,043,113	100.0	6.2	20.7	. . .	13.6	23.3	36.1

1995	996,529	100.0	6.2	19.7	. . .	12.4	22.4	39.2
1996	940,293	100.0	6.4	20.6	5.8	12.1	22.9	32.2
1997	740,882	100.0	6.8	16.7	16.2	13.0	25.1	22.1
1998	705,162	100.0	6.9	15.0	18.3	14.7	25.4	19.9
1999	692,925	100.0	6.7	14.0	19.1	15.6	24.6	20.2

2000	694,156	100.0	6.4	13.3	18.7	15.8	24.2	21.5
2001	730,353	100.0	6.1	13.2	18.2	16.6	26.1	19.8
2002	815,401	100.0	5.7	12.9	18.2	17.0	26.6	19.6
2003	874,356	100.0	5.1	12.1	18.6	17.2	27.4	19.6
2004	904,144	100.0	4.8	11.3	18.6	16.8	27.7	20.7

2005	868,502	100.0	4.5	11.2	18.1	16.3	27.8	22.1
2006	853,331	100.0	4.4	11.4	18.5	16.0	27.2	22.7
2007	835,047	100.0	4.5	10.8	18.4	16.3	27.1	23.0
	Under age 18
1992	148,324	100.0	1.5	22.7	. . .	. . .	. . .	75.8
1993	240,803	100.0	1.3	21.8	. . .	. . .	. . .	76.9
1994	311,284	100.0	1.4	22.4	. . .	. . .	. . .	76.2

1995	306,390	100.0	1.3	21.8	. . .	. . .	. . .	76.9
1996	291,351	100.0	1.4	26.9	18.7	. . .	. . .	53.0
1997	195,799	100.0	1.6	19.1	61.4	. . .	. . .	18.0
1998	182,668	100.0	1.3	14.4	70.6	. . .	. . .	13.7
1999	182,494	100.0	1.1	13.3	72.4	. . .	. . .	13.2

2000	179,742	100.0	1.1	13.2	72.1	. . .	. . .	13.6
2001	182,218	100.0	1.1	14.0	73.0	. . .	. . .	11.9
2002	200,635	100.0	1.0	13.4	73.9	. . .	. . .	11.8
2003	214,685	100.0	0.9	12.3	75.9	. . .	. . .	10.9
2004	220,179	100.0	0.8	11.0	76.4	. . .	. . .	11.8

2005	208,233	100.0	0.9	11.0	75.4	. . .	. . .	12.7
2006	209,031	100.0	0.8	11.5	75.4	. . .	. . .	12.4
2007	202,870	100.0	0.9	11.4	75.8	. . .	. . .	12.0
	Aged 18–64
1992	594,906	100.0	8.8	21.9	. . .	21.8	32.8	14.7
1993	698,397	100.0	8.4	21.0	. . .	20.7	33.4	16.4
1994	731,456	100.0	8.3	20.0	. . .	19.4	33.2	19.1

1995	689,683	100.0	8.4	18.8	. . .	17.9	32.4	22.5
1996	648,031	100.0	8.6	17.8	. . .	17.5	33.3	22.8
1997	543,444	100.0	8.8	15.8	. . .	17.7	34.2	23.6
1998	518,536	100.0	8.9	14.9	. . .	19.7	34.4	22.0
1999	506,702	100.0	8.7	14.1	. . .	21.0	33.6	22.7

2000	511,043	100.0	8.4	13.2	. . .	21.3	32.9	24.3
2001	545,141	100.0	7.8	12.8	. . .	22.1	35.0	22.4
2002	611,764	100.0	7.2	12.7	. . .	22.5	35.5	22.1
2003	657,338	100.0	6.5	11.9	. . .	22.7	36.4	22.4
2004	682,013	100.0	6.1	11.4	. . .	22.2	36.8	23.6

2005	658,642	100.0	5.7	11.2	. . .	21.4	36.7	25.1
2006	642,950	100.0	5.5	11.3	. . .	21.1	36.0	26.0
2007	631,033	100.0	5.6	10.6	. . .	21.5	35.9	26.4
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Disability Research File, 100 percent data.
NOTES: Data are current through August 2008.
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 subsequently denied for nonmedical reasons.
Includes decisions for SSI-only applications and applications for both Social Security and SSI. Does not include Social Security–only applications.
. . . = not applicable.
a. Used only for applicants under age 18. Category effective for final determinations made August 1996 or later.
b. Used only for applicants aged 18 or older.
c. Applicant provided insufficient 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. For final determinations made August 1996 or before for applicants under age 18, also includes claims denied because individual functional assessment showed impairment not of comparable severity.
d. Includes applicants aged 65 or older.
CONTACT: Clark Pickett (410) 965-9016 or ssi.asr@ssa.gov.

Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits