Age Group Count Average Payout Sum Under 50 2479260 $842.22 $2,088,081,530.78 Over 49 6461718 $1,206.07 $7,793,264,035.39 Under 60 6126676 $920.56 $5,639,954,478.53 Over 59 2815908 $1,277.58 $3,597,539,697.19 Under 58 5227917 $904.34 $4,727,810,332.48 Over 57 3714667 $1,266.71 $4,705,422,345.20
Looking at it, it appears the largest group is the 50-64 crowd, very much most likely to have been squeezed out of the job market - either from having their business crushed by rules and taxes, or by being replaced with younger workers. While I'm sure there's a lot of luggage on that rack as well, disability is becoming the new 'pre-retirement.' I'm also pretty sure that if you hit SS age while on disability, you get full SS benefits rather than having to wait a few years.
First they go on unemployment. Then extended unemployment. During this time, they’ve sat on their collective, er, couches and have gained weight. This weight gain brings on diseases such as diabetes, which then leads to glaucoma.
Then they go on disability.
One must also realize that receiving SSDI is not a disqualifier for receiving SNAP, EITC, Section 8, WICs, TANF or any of the other entitlements. They are largely ‘earned income’ and asset based.