Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2005

Beneficiaries Who Have Filed for Workers' Compensation or Public Disability Benefits

Note

In December 2005, approximately 590,000 disabled workers on the Social Security Disability Insurance program had filed for workers' compensation or public disability benefits. Disability payments from private sources, such as private pension or insurance benefits, do not affect Social Security disability benefits, but workers' compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce them. Workers' compensation is paid to a worker because of a job-related injury or illness. It may be paid by federal or state workers' compensation agencies or employers or by insurance companies on behalf of employers.

Other public disability benefits that may affect Social Security disability benefits are those paid by a federal, state, or local government for disabling medical conditions that are not job related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, military disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability. Persons who receive Social Security disability benefits and one of the following types of public benefits will not have their Social Security disability benefit reduced:

  • Veterans Administration benefits;
  • State and local government benefits, if Social Security taxes were deducted from earnings; or
  • Supplemental Security Income.

The total amount received from workers' compensation or other public disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of the worker's average current earnings before he or she became disabled. The monthly Social Security disability benefit includes benefits payable to family members. If the total amount of these benefits exceeds 80 percent of average current earnings, the excess amount is deducted from the Social Security benefit. The benefit will be reduced until the month the worker reaches age 65 or the month the other benefits stop, whichever comes first.

Example

Before becoming disabled, the worker's average current earnings were $4,000 a month. The disabled worker, his or her spouse, and their two children would be eligible to receive a total of $2,200 a month in Social Security disability benefits. However, the disabled worker also receives $2,000 a month from workers' compensation. Because the total amount of benefits received ($4,200) is more than $3,200 (80 percent of average current earnings), the family's Social Security disability benefits will be reduced by $1,000.

Chart 7. Distribution of workers, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2005

Among DI beneficiaries who are also receiving workers' compensation or public disability benefits, a disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue was the primary diagnosis on which their receipt of DI benefits was based in December 2005. Mental disorders were the second leading condition, with women more likely than men to have that diagnosis. Men were more likely than women to have injuries or diseases of the circulatory system. Women were more likely than men to have endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases or diseases of the nervous system and sense organs. All other impairments were fairly evenly split between men and women.

Bar chart with tabular version below.
Show as table
Table equivalent for Chart 7. Distribution of workers, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2005 (percent)
Diagnostic group Men Women
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 2.0 3.6
Injuries 8.3 4.2
Mental disorders 18.4 24.1
Circulatory system 5.7 3.1
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 53.5 49.7
Nervous system and sense organs 4.9 7.8
All other impairments 7.4 7.6
 
SOURCE: Table 34.
Table 31. Distribution of workers and nondisabled dependents who have filed, by reason for having or not having an offset, December 2005
Reason Total Workers Spouses and children
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All disabled beneficiaries and nondisabled dependents 800,518 100.0 590,480 100.0 210,038 100.0
With offset
Receipt of—
Workers' compensation only
Black Lung 266 a 184 a 82 a
Harbor Workers and Longshoremen 1,144 0.1 793 0.1 351 0.2
Federal employees 3,304 0.4 2,448 0.4 856 0.4
State 166,330 20.8 108,558 18.4 57,772 27.5
Public disability only
Federal 2,607 0.3 2,209 0.4 398 0.2
State 16,849 2.1 12,630 2.1 4,219 2.0
Local 742 0.1 563 0.1 179 0.1
Workers' compensation and—
Federal public disability 26 a 26 a 0 0
State public disability 1,143 0.1 789 0.1 354 0.2
Local public disability 31 a 20 a 11 a
Social Security Disability Insurance 59,822 7.5 45,130 7.6 14,692 7.0
Without offset
High average current earnings 348,045 43.5 269,684 45.7 78,361 37.3
Entitlement to workers' compensation or public disability benefits is pending 200,209 25.0 147,446 25.0 52,763 25.1
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 32. Distribution of workers and nondisabled dependents who have filed, by state or other area of residence, December 2005
State or area Total Workers Spouses and children
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All areas 800,518 100.0 590,480 100.0 210,038 100.0
Alabama 14,402 1.8 10,387 1.8 4,015 1.9
Alaska 787 0.1 594 0.1 193 0.1
Arizona 11,729 1.5 8,828 1.5 2,901 1.4
Arkansas 7,673 1.0 5,662 1.0 2,011 1.0
California 143,052 17.9 110,042 18.6 33,010 15.7
Colorado 10,921 1.4 8,238 1.4 2,683 1.3
Connecticut 5,958 0.7 4,343 0.7 1,615 0.8
Delaware 2,136 0.3 1,540 0.3 596 0.3
District of Columbia 371 a 309 0.1 62 a
Florida 44,373 5.5 33,217 5.6 11,156 5.3
Georgia 20,301 2.5 15,181 2.6 5,120 2.4
Hawaii 2,619 0.3 1,965 0.3 654 0.3
Idaho 2,710 0.3 2,037 0.3 673 0.3
Illinois 17,011 2.1 12,244 2.1 4,767 2.3
Indiana 5,752 0.7 4,221 0.7 1,531 0.7
Iowa 4,035 0.5 2,991 0.5 1,044 0.5
Kansas 3,532 0.4 2,701 0.5 831 0.4
Kentucky 24,766 3.1 17,786 3.0 6,980 3.3
Louisiana 13,752 1.7 9,005 1.5 4,747 2.3
Maine 6,048 0.8 4,505 0.8 1,543 0.7
Maryland 6,186 0.8 4,669 0.8 1,517 0.7
Massachusetts 16,076 2.0 11,579 2.0 4,497 2.1
Michigan 34,563 4.3 25,908 4.4 8,655 4.1
Minnesota 6,249 0.8 4,816 0.8 1,433 0.7
Mississippi 8,266 1.0 5,713 1.0 2,553 1.2
Missouri 13,733 1.7 10,127 1.7 3,606 1.7
Montana 3,446 0.4 2,688 0.5 758 0.4
Nebraska 2,466 0.3 1,824 0.3 642 0.3
Nevada 5,019 0.6 3,903 0.7 1,116 0.5
New Hampshire 3,875 0.5 2,716 0.5 1,159 0.6
New Jersey 20,792 2.6 15,139 2.6 5,653 2.7
New Mexico 4,389 0.5 3,239 0.5 1,150 0.5
New York 89,600 11.2 63,359 10.7 26,241 12.5
North Carolina 18,205 2.3 13,659 2.3 4,546 2.2
North Dakota 1,126 0.1 839 0.1 287 0.1
Ohio 20,169 2.5 15,326 2.6 4,843 2.3
Oklahoma 8,960 1.1 6,789 1.1 2,171 1.0
Oregon 6,390 0.8 5,010 0.8 1,380 0.7
Pennsylvania 36,534 4.6 26,135 4.4 10,399 5.0
Rhode Island 4,222 0.5 3,303 0.6 919 0.4
South Carolina 11,381 1.4 8,321 1.4 3,060 1.5
South Dakota 1,075 0.1 765 0.1 310 0.1
Tennessee 12,823 1.6 9,690 1.6 3,133 1.5
Texas 23,020 2.9 16,511 2.8 6,509 3.1
Utah 2,252 0.3 1,607 0.3 645 0.3
Vermont 1,059 0.1 777 0.1 282 0.1
Virginia 13,385 1.7 9,657 1.6 3,728 1.8
Washington 11,293 1.4 8,926 1.5 2,367 1.1
West Virginia 12,913 1.6 9,533 1.6 3,380 1.6
Wisconsin 9,311 1.2 6,909 1.2 2,402 1.1
Wyoming 812 0.1 613 0.1 199 0.1
Outlying areas
Puerto Rico 46,937 5.9 33,271 5.6 13,666 6.5
Other b 367 a 203 a 164 0.1
Foreign countries 1,696 0.2 1,160 0.2 536 0.3
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
NOTE: Distribution is by state or other area of residence, not by the state paying benefits.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
b. Includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 33. Distribution of workers who have filed, by diagnostic group and age, December 2005
Diagnostic group Total,
all ages
Under 35 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64
Number
Total 590,480 12,928 23,301 51,949 84,689 117,309 154,506 145,798
Congenital anomalies 357 23 21 47 50 51 91 74
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 15,410 167 436 1,016 1,939 3,263 4,395 4,194
Infectious and parasitic diseases 5,453 133 378 940 1,140 1,160 1,061 641
Injuries 39,598 1,878 2,230 4,124 5,722 7,140 9,240 9,264
Mental disorders
Retardation 7,263 269 545 1,053 1,414 1,510 1,459 1,013
Other 114,154 4,132 6,343 13,327 20,557 25,206 26,567 18,022
Neoplasms 6,764 249 229 501 901 1,288 1,868 1,728
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 483 30 29 57 87 91 108 81
Circulatory system 27,576 227 377 1,047 2,097 4,338 8,397 11,093
Digestive system 4,085 75 126 316 661 1,013 1,064 830
Genitourinary system 3,295 232 208 350 523 693 737 552
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 307,307 4,138 9,962 24,034 41,587 60,278 84,224 83,084
Nervous system and sense organs 35,469 1,065 1,729 3,571 5,152 6,974 8,919 8,059
Respiratory system 10,735 92 190 434 980 1,720 3,167 4,152
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 809 19 37 87 134 155 188 189
Other 635 23 33 54 90 128 178 129
Unknown 11,087 176 428 991 1,655 2,301 2,843 2,693
Percent
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Congenital anomalies 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 a 0.1 0.1
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 2.6 1.3 1.9 2.0 2.3 2.8 2.8 2.9
Infectious and parasitic diseases 0.9 1.0 1.6 1.8 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.4
Injuries 6.7 14.5 9.6 7.9 6.8 6.1 6.0 6.4
Mental disorders
Retardation 1.2 2.1 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 0.9 0.7
Other 19.3 32.0 27.2 25.7 24.3 21.5 17.2 12.4
Neoplasms 1.1 1.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Circulatory system 4.7 1.8 1.6 2.0 2.5 3.7 5.4 7.6
Digestive system 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.6
Genitourinary system 0.6 1.8 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 52.0 32.0 42.8 46.3 49.1 51.4 54.5 57.0
Nervous system and sense organs 6.0 8.2 7.4 6.9 6.1 5.9 5.8 5.5
Respiratory system 1.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.5 2.0 2.8
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1
Other 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Unknown 1.9 1.4 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
a. Less than 0.05 percent.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.
Table 34. Distribution of workers who have filed, by diagnostic group and sex, December 2005
Diagnostic group Total Men Women
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
All disabled workers 590,480 100.0 363,428 100.0 227,052 100.0
Congenital anomalies 357 0.1 206 0.1 151 0.1
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases 15,410 2.6 7,303 2.0 8,107 3.6
Infectious and parasitic diseases 5,453 0.9 4,445 1.2 1,008 0.4
Injuries 39,598 6.7 29,991 8.3 9,607 4.2
Mental disorders
Retardation 7,263 1.2 5,647 1.6 1,616 0.7
Other 114,154 19.3 61,003 16.8 53,151 23.4
Neoplasms 6,764 1.1 3,677 1.0 3,087 1.4
Diseases of the—
Blood and blood-forming organs 483 0.1 246 0.1 237 0.1
Circulatory system 27,576 4.7 20,607 5.7 6,969 3.1
Digestive system 4,085 0.7 2,602 0.7 1,483 0.7
Genitourinary system 3,295 0.6 2,201 0.6 1,094 0.5
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 307,307 52.0 194,415 53.5 112,892 49.7
Nervous system and sense organs 35,469 6.0 17,816 4.9 17,653 7.8
Respiratory system 10,735 1.8 6,461 1.8 4,274 1.9
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 809 0.1 432 0.1 377 0.2
Other 635 0.1 300 0.1 335 0.1
Unknown 11,087 1.9 6,076 1.7 5,011 2.2
SOURCE: Social Security Administration, Workers' Compensation and Public Disability Benefit file, 100 percent data.
CONTACT: Kevin Kulzer (410) 965-5366 or di.asr@ssa.gov.