FY 2021 Disability Determinations & Drop Out Rates

We understand that the frequent denials for disability claims when initially applying can be frustrating. That frustration is incredibly common. In 2021 Social Security’s statistics show that 1.9 million people applied for disability and only 36% of those applications were approved at the initial review level. By the time cases reached the hearing level nearly 900,000 people who received early denials at the initial and reconsideration levels had given up and dropped their claims. The key to success is to keep appealing. It is at the hearing level where most cases are ultimately successful. Nationally, in 2021, more than half of the cases appealed to the hearing level were approved. These statistics are important to remember, because it’s very easy to become discouraged by Social Security’s high number of denials early in the claims process.

See below for full details on Social Security’s approval/disapproval rates at each level of the process in 2021

Initial Level
Total: 1943578
Allow: 699688 – 36%
Deny: 1243890 – 64%
Drop Out: 740221 – 60%

Reconsiderations
Total: 503669
Allow: 65477 – 13%
Deny: 438192 – 87%
Drop Out: 136814 – 31%

ALJ Disp.
Total: 301378
Allow: 153703 – 51%
Deny: 147675 – 49%
Drop Out: 69796 – 47%

Appeals Council
Total: 77879
Allow: 779 – 1%
Deny: 77100 – 99%