What Share of Social Security Disability Beneficiaries Have Work Goals or Expectations?
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Key Findings
- Nearly half of SSDI beneficiaries (about 48%) report work goals or expectations, representing 3.6 million people.
- Work-oriented beneficiaries tend to be younger, better educated, and in better health compared to non-work-oriented peers, with higher rates of mental health or sensory conditions as primary limitations.
- Engagement in employment or training services is somewhat limited, with 43% of work-oriented beneficiaries reporting recent work or training activity.
- Barriers persist between interest and employment outcomes: although the share of work-oriented beneficiaries has grown since 2004, employment rates have not increased.
This brief examines the work goals and expectations of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries. Drawing on 2017 and 2019 survey data, we find that nearly half of working-age beneficiaries express interest in work, though only about 10 percent are employed at any given time. Work-oriented beneficiaries are typically younger, healthier, and more educated, and relatively few use job training or Social Security Administration supports such as Ticket to Work. Despite rising interest in employment compared to earlier years, actual work rates have not increased. These findings highlight both the barriers and opportunities for expanding workforce participation among SSDI beneficiaries.
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