Public data · clear sources

SSDI approval rate in Kentucky

Kentucky's disability determination agency approved 30.2% of the initial SSDI and SSI disability claims it decided in the 12 months ending September 2026, and 9.8% of reconsiderations.

Last updated: Nov 12, 2026 | Data periods: Sep 30, 2024 to Nov 12, 2026

Benefit amounts depend on eligibility, income, and living arrangements. Use the source links to check the applicable period.

30.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)

Initial approval rate

Last 12 months

SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026

9.8% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026

Reconsideration approval rate

SSA monthly workload · Sep 25, 2026

3.2 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

LabelValueDatesSource
SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries163,589 Dec 31, 2025
Verified Nov 12, 2026
OASDI state data
Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers$260,748,000 Dec 31, 2025
Verified Nov 12, 2026
OASDI state data
Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers)$1,593.92 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiariesDec 31, 2025
Verified Nov 12, 2026
OASDI state data
Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits24,608 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability ChildrenDec 31, 2025
Verified Nov 12, 2026
OASDI state data
Initial disability claims received (12 months)46,950 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Initial disability decisions (12 months)45,485 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Initial claims approved (12 months)13,716 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Initial approval rate (12 months)30.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Reconsideration approval rate (12 months)9.8% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Initial claims pending11,975 Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
Backlog estimate (months of work)3.2 months Estimate dds.pending / (dds.determinations / 12): months of backlog at the FY2026 pace. Not an official processing time.Sep 25, 2026
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA monthly workload
FY2024 favorable determination rate, all claims32.72% Sep 30, 2024
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA fiscal-year workload
FY2024 adult favorable determination rate29.39% Sep 30, 2024
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA fiscal-year workload
FY2024 SSI child allowance rate49.07% Sep 30, 2024
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA fiscal-year workload
Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024)8.84% Sep 30, 2024
Verified Nov 12, 2026
SSA fiscal-year workload

Sourced facts

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)

  • SSDI disabled-worker beneficiaries: 163,589 [1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Total monthly SSDI benefits to disabled workers: $260,748,000 [2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Average monthly SSDI benefit (disabled workers): $1,593.92 Estimate ssdi.totalMonthlyBenefits / ssdi.disabledWorkerBeneficiaries[3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Spouses and children receiving SSDI family benefits: 24,608 Estimate Table 2 Disability Spouses + Disability Children[4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026

Disability decisions, last 12 months

  • Initial disability claims received (12 months): 46,950 Estimate Sum of monthly Receipts (All Initial), FY2026[1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Initial disability decisions (12 months): 45,485 Estimate Sum of monthly Determinations (All Initial), FY2026[2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Initial claims approved (12 months): 13,716 Estimate Sum of monthly Allowances (All Initial), FY2026[3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Initial approval rate (12 months): 30.2% Estimate dds.favorableDeterminations / dds.determinations x 100 (initial claims, FY2026)[4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Reconsideration approval rate (12 months): 9.8% Estimate Sum of Allowances (All Recon) / Sum of Determinations (All Recon) x 100, FY2026[5] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Initial claims pending: 11,975 [6] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Backlog estimate (months of work): 3.2 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: 32.72% [1] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • FY2024 adult favorable determination rate: 29.39% [2] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • FY2024 SSI child allowance rate: 49.07% [3] Last verified Nov 12, 2026
  • Share of adults 18-64 receiving SSA disability benefits (FY2024): 8.84% [4] Last verified Nov 12, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the SSDI approval rate in Kentucky?

In federal fiscal year ending this September, Kentucky's disability determination agency approved 30.2% of the initial disability claims it decided and 9.8% of reconsiderations. These rates cover SSDI and SSI disability claims together.

How long does a disability decision take in Kentucky?

Social Security does not publish an average initial decision time by state. Kentucky had 11,975 initial claims pending, which at the recent pace is roughly 3.2 months months of work. Treat this as an estimate.

What is the average SSDI payment in Kentucky?

163,589 disabled workers in Kentucky received Social Security disability benefits, averaging about $1,593.92 per month in December of last year.

How to apply

Review eligibility and apply directly through the responsible agency.