The size of the disabled workforce in the United States

About 1 in 4 adults of working age—roughly 26 percent—report having at least one disability, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That translates to approximately 61 million Americans. Not all of them are out of work: some are employed full-time or part-time, some are self-employed, and some receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while working under the program's work incentives.

The actual number of people receiving SSDI is much smaller—about 8.5 million as of 2024—because SSDI has strict rules about how much you can earn and still receive benefits. The gap between the total number of disabled people and those receiving SSDI shows that many disabled people work, many others are not yet approved for benefits, and some do not explore.

Key Takeaways

  • About 26 percent of working-age adults report having a disability, but only about 8.5 million receive SSDI or SSI.
  • Disability rates are higher among older workers, people without college degrees, and people living below the poverty line.
  • Many disabled people work full-time or part-time, either because their disability does not prevent work or because they use SSDI work incentives like the Ticket to Work program.
  • The definition of disability for SSDI purposes is much narrower than the CDC definition, which is why the numbers differ so widely.
  • Disability affects employment, income, and access to health insurance, which is why understanding these numbers matters for policy and individual planning.

Who counts as disabled in government statistics

The CDC counts a disability as any physical or mental health condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. This includes arthritis, diabetes, hearing loss, vision problems, depression, anxiety, cognitive disabilities, and many others. A person can have one disability or multiple disabilities at once.

The Social Security Administration uses a much narrower definition. To receive SSDI or SSI, your condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity—currently defined as earning more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind). Your condition must also be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This is why someone might report a disability to the CDC but not be approved for SSDI.

How disability rates vary by age, education, and income

Disability is not evenly distributed across the population. Workers aged 55 to 64 have disability rates around 35 percent, compared to about 15 percent for workers aged 18 to 34. This matters for SSDI because older workers who are denied benefits sometimes have an easier time appealing, since judges recognize that retraining an older worker is less practical than retraining a younger one.

People without a high school diploma have disability rates above 40 percent. People with a college degree have rates around 15 percent. Income also tracks closely with disability: people living below the poverty line report disability rates above 40 percent, while people earning more than four times the poverty line report rates around 12 percent. These gaps reflect both the fact that disability can cause poverty and that poverty can worsen health conditions.

Employment rates among disabled people

About 35 percent of working-age people with disabilities are employed, compared to about 78 percent of people without disabilities. This gap exists for several reasons: some disabilities make work impossible, some people are waiting for SSDI approval, some face discrimination or barriers to finding accessible work, and some are discouraged from working because they fear losing benefits.

SSDI includes work incentives specifically designed to address this last barrier. The Ticket to Work program allows you to work and report your earnings without losing your SSDI check, as long as you stay under the substantial gainful activity limit. Other work incentives include the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources to reach a work goal, and the Student Earned Income Exclusion, which excludes student wages from the earnings test for people under 22.

Why these numbers matter for SSDI and SSI

The gap between 61 million disabled people and 8.5 million SSDI/SSI recipients shows that the program is not meant to cover all disability. It is meant to cover severe disability that prevents work. Understanding this distinction helps explain why some people with disabilities are denied benefits and why others who receive benefits are expected to try to work.

The numbers also show that disability is common enough that most people will either experience it themselves or know someone who does. This context matters when thinking about SSDI policy changes, work incentives, and how the program fits into the broader landscape of disability support.

Regional and demographic differences in disability rates

Disability rates vary significantly by state and region. States in the South and Appalachia tend to have higher rates—sometimes above 30 percent—while states in the Northeast and West tend to have lower rates, around 20 to 24 percent. These differences reflect variations in age, education, income, and access to health care across regions.

Disability rates also differ by race and ethnicity. Black and Hispanic workers report higher disability rates than white workers, though researchers debate how much of this reflects actual differences in health conditions versus differences in how people report disability or how they are treated by the health care system. These disparities also show up in SSDI approval rates: Black applicants have lower approval rates than white applicants at the initial stage, though the gap narrows on appeal.

How disability affects earnings and benefits

People with disabilities earn less on average than people without disabilities, even when they work full-time. This wage gap exists partly because some disabilities limit the types of work available, partly because discrimination affects hiring and promotion, and partly because some people with disabilities work part-time or take time off for treatment or symptom management.

SSDI and SSI are designed to replace lost earnings, but the benefit amounts are modest. The average SSDI benefit in 2024 is around $1,550 per month for a worker, though this varies based on your work history and age. SSI pays a federal base rate of $943 per month for an individual, though many states add a supplement. These amounts are below the poverty line, which is why many SSDI and SSI recipients also rely on Medicaid, food information, or housing support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having a disability mean I will be approved for SSDI?

No. SSDI approval requires that your condition be severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity and expected to last at least 12 months. Many people with disabilities work and do not need SSDI. Others have disabilities that do not meet the Social Security Administration's definition of severity. About 65 to 70 percent of initial applications are denied.

Can I work if I receive SSDI?

Yes. SSDI includes work incentives that let you earn money without losing your full benefit. The Ticket to Work program is the main one. You can work and earn up to the substantial gainful activity limit ($1,550 per month in 2024) without losing benefits. Above that limit, your benefits are reduced based on how much you earn.

Why are disability rates higher in some states than others?

Disability rates reflect differences in age, education, income, and health care access. States with older populations, lower education levels, or higher poverty rates tend to have higher disability rates. These differences are real and reflect actual health disparities, not just differences in how people report disability.

What is the difference between the CDC definition of disability and the Social Security definition?

The CDC counts any condition that limits movement, senses, or activities. Social Security counts only conditions severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity and expected to last 12 months or longer. This is why someone might have a disability by the CDC definition but not may have access to for SSDI.

If I have a disability but I am working, should I explore for SSDI?

That depends on whether your condition is severe enough to meet Social Security's definition and whether you expect to be able to work long-term. If you think your condition may worsen or you are struggling to work, it may be worth explore. If you are working steadily and expect to continue, you may not meet the severity requirement. A benefits planning service can help you think through this decision.