Off hand, I’d say that seniors aren’t the major component of SSDI. In fact, isn’t one on SSDI transitioned to SS payments when they reach the correct age?
SSDI is largely a form of welfare that many seek under the guise of having some ‘disability’. You have to jump through a lot of hoops to get it, sometimes apply two - three times. That’s why you see so, so many lawyers on TV that will ‘help’ you get it. Bi-polar disorder is the malady du jour from what I’ve read.
Don’t get me wrong, there are legitimate disabilities and people with them on SSDI, but my impression is that they are few and the scammers are many. The payout for SSDI is larger than SS in most cases.
Last time I checked (a couple of years ago), both SSDI and SSI (SSA administers the welfare SSI) comprise nearly 25% of all SSA payouts. That’s huge.
I don’t pretend to know the statistics, but I know with SSDI, you can delay taking your SS so that you’ll get more of a benefit in the long run.
I think SSDI has been used of late when unemployment runs out in this terrible Obama economy.