40.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)
Initial approval rate
Last 12 months
SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026
Public data · clear sources
SSDI approval rate in Iowa
Iowa's disability determination agency approved 40.2% of the initial SSDI and SSI disability claims it decided in the 12 months ending September 2026, and 10.4% of reconsiderations.
Benefit amounts depend on eligibility, income, and living arrangements. Use the source links to check the applicable period.
10.4% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026
Reconsideration approval rate
SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026
3,995
Claims pending
SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026
2.4 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time.
Backlog estimate
SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026
Quick reference
| Label | Value | Dates | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries | 70,847 | Dec 31, 2025 | OASDI state data |
| Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers | $110,144,000 | Dec 31, 2025 | OASDI state data |
| Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers) | $1,554.67 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiaries | Dec 31, 2025 | OASDI state data |
| Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits | 9,402 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability Children | Dec 31, 2025 | OASDI state data |
| Initial disability claims received (12 months) | 19,727 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Initial disability decisions (12 months) | 19,626 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Initial claims approved (12 months) | 7,898 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Initial approval rate (12 months) | 40.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026) | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Reconsideration approval rate (12 months) | 10.4% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Initial claims pending | 3,995 | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| Backlog estimate (months of work) | 2.4 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time. | Sep 25, 2026 | SSA monthly workload |
| FY2024 favorable determination rate, all claims | 43.94% | Sep 30, 2024 | SSA fiscal-year workload |
| FY2024 adult favorable determination rate | 40.99% | Sep 30, 2024 | SSA fiscal-year workload |
| FY2024 SSI child allowance rate | 62.58% | Sep 30, 2024 | SSA fiscal-year workload |
| Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024) | 5.02% | Sep 30, 2024 | SSA fiscal-year workload |
Sourced facts
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
- SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries: 70,847 [1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers: $110,144,000 [2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers): $1,554.67 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiaries[3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits: 9,402 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability Children[4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
Disability decisions, last 12 months
- Initial disability claims received (12 months): 19,727 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026[1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Initial disability decisions (12 months): 19,626 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026[2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Initial claims approved (12 months): 7,898 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026[3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Initial approval rate (12 months): 40.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)[4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Reconsideration approval rate (12 months): 10.4% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026[5] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Initial claims pending: 3,995 [6] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Backlog estimate (months of work): 2.4 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time.[7] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
Disability decisions, fiscal year 2024
- FY2024 favorable determination rate, all claims: 43.94% [1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- FY2024 adult favorable determination rate: 40.99% [2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- FY2024 SSI child allowance rate: 62.58% [3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
- Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024): 5.02% [4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSDI approval rate in Iowa?
In federal fiscal year ending this September, Iowa's disability determination agency approved 40.2% of the initial disability claims it decided and 10.4% of reconsiderations. These rates cover SSDI and SSI disability claims together.
How long does a disability decision take in Iowa?
Social Security does not publish an average initial decision time by state. Iowa had 3,995 initial claims pending, which at the recent pace is roughly 2.4 months months of work. Treat this as an estimate.
What is the average SSDI payment in Iowa?
70,847 disabled workers in Iowa received Social Security disability benefits, averaging about $1,554.67 per month in December of last year.
How to apply
Review eligibility and apply directly through the responsible agency.