Table of Contents
- Top 5 Best States for Disability Benefits
- #5 West Virginia: 64.96% Approval Rating
- #4 New Hampshire: 66.11% Approval Rating
- #3 North Carolina: 67.38% Approval Rating
- #2 Hawaii: 71.16% Approval Rating
- #1 Oregon: 71.40% Approval Rating
- Disability Benefits Approval Rates by State in 2024
- 2024* Disability Approval Rates By State
- What Is The Hardest State To Get Disability?
- 2 Minutes To See If You Qualify
- Additional Resources
Chances are good that you or someone you know is affected by a debilitating medical condition. In the United States, millions of residents suffer from thousands of different diagnoses that leave them immobilized, in pain, and unable to work.
Luckily, for those affected, Social Security disability benefits can help ease the financial burden of living with these medical conditions.
There are two types of disability benefits offered by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The application process for both of these programs can be—and oftentimes is—very long and challenging. On top of this, approximately 1/3 (only 35%) of all initial disability benefits applications were approved by the SSA in 2023. Approximately 13% of applications were approved at the reconsideration stage (i.e. the first appeal stage), and 54% of disability claims were approved at the hearing stage (the second—and typically the—last appeal stage).
The graphic below shows the top 10 states with the highest Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability hearing approval rates in 2024.
Below are the top five states most likely to approve disability applications in 2024* according to the SSA:
In 2024, 36% of West Virginians reported living with one or more disabilities, compared to the 13.5% rate of disability in the United States as a whole.
As of January 2024, 68.93% of West Virginia residents with disabilities (ages 21-64) were receiving SSI benefits.
West Virginia spends up to 40% ($6.7 billion) of the state’s budget for health care spending annually. Looking at this statistic on a per-person basis, West Virginia spends approximately $15,494 per West Virginia resident with a disability.
Currently, 64,747 West Virginia residents are receiving SSI benefits, and 87,569 West Virginia residents are receiving SSDI benefits from the SSA (last updated: February 13, 2024).
In 2024, 26% of people living in New Hampshire reported living with one or more disabilities, compared to the 13.5% rate of disability in the United States as a whole.
As of January 2024, 73.66% of New Hampshire residents with disabilities (ages 21-64) were receiving SSI benefits.
New Hampshire spends up to 31% ($3.7 billion) of the state’s budget for health care spending annually. Looking at this statistic on a per-person basis, New Hampshire spends approximately $17,463 per New Hampshire resident with a disability.
Currently, 16,527 New Hampshire residents are receiving SSI benefits, and 50,207 New Hampshire residents are receiving SSDI benefits from the SSA (last updated: February 13, 2024).
According to the CDC, 29% of adults in North Carolina have a disability(s) in 2024. This is equivalent to 2,460,352 adults—or approximately 1 in 3 adults—in North Carolina.
North Carolina spends up to 36% ($25 billion) of the state’s budget for health care spending annually. Looking at this statistic on a per-person basis, North Carolina spends approximately $15,230 per North Carolina resident with a disability.
Currently, 216,756 North Carolina residents are receiving SSI benefits, and 331,226 North Carolina residents are receiving SSDI benefits from the SSA (last updated: February 13, 2024).
According to data released by the CDC, 21% of adults in Hawaii have a disability of some sort in 2024. With a disability approval rating of 71.16% as of February 2024, more than half of disability applicants of all ages receive benefits from Social Security.
Furthermore, Hawaii has had a consistent and impressive ranking above the other 49 states in terms of disability healthcare support and spending over the past few years. According to Data from the CDC, HealthData.gov, and the Kaiser Family Foundation, Hawaii was the top state for health care in the U.S. in 2023. Hawaii spends approximately $3 billion annually on health care. Breaking this down even further, the state of Hawaii spends approximately $17,721 per Hawaiian resident with a disability(s).
Currently, 21,456 Hawaii residents are receiving SSI benefits, and 22,363 Hawaii residents are receiving SSDI benefits from the SSA (last updated: February 13, 2024).
According to data released by the CDC, 28% of adults living in Oregon have a disability.
Every year, the state of Oregon spends up to 40% of the state’s budget (around $11.9 billion) on healthcare. Breaking this statistic down a little more, the state of Oregon spends approximately $16,127 per Oregon resident with a disability.
Currently, 83,635 Oregon residents are receiving SSI benefits, and 106,233 Oregon residents are receiving SSDI benefits from the SSA (last updated: February 13, 2024).
*data was updated using the most recent data released by the SSA in February 2024. We will update these stats as more data becomes available.
Related: How much do states give out in disability benefits each year?
The following table breaks down SSI and SSDI approval rates by state. You will see the term “allowance rate” in the chart below. The term “allowance” is a term used by the SSA to describe the rates for both initial disability benefits applications as well as reconsiderations. An allowance denotes the individual was medically approved for disability, however, they still might be denied if they fail to meet the SSA’s technical requirements for disability (e.g., having enough work credits to be eligible for SSDI).
| State | Total Fully Favorable Decisions (%age) | Total Partially Favorable Decisions (%age) | State Approval Rates (%age) |
| Oregon | 88.26% | 11.74% | 71.40% |
| Hawaii | 84.97% | 15.03% | 71.16% |
| North Carolina | 87.72% | 12.28% | 67.38% |
| New Hampshire | 88.29% | 11.71% | 66.11% |
| West Virginia | 88.42% | 11.58% | 64.96% |
| New York | 86.74% | 13.26% | 64.51% |
| New Jersey | 82.21% | 17.79% | 64.50% |
| Puerto Rico | 80.94% | 19.06% | 63.08% |
| Oklahoma | 85.98% | 14.02% | 63.01% |
| North Dakota | 87.16% | 12.84% | 63.84% |
| Alabama | 90.41% | 9.59% | 62.64% |
| Maryland | 82.99% | 17.01% | 62.46% |
| South Carolina | 86.25% | 13.75% | 62.27% |
| Minnesota | 84.69% | 15.31% | 61.33% |
| Massachusetts | 81.17% | 18.83% | 60.80% |
| Tennessee | 86.49% | 13.51% | 60.54% |
| Delaware | 88.00% | 12.00% | 60.48% |
| California | 82.80% | 17.20% | 60.25% |
| Maine | 83.53% | 16.47% | 59.86% |
| Indiana | 85.82% | 14.18% | 59.80% |
| Florida | 87.38% | 12.62% | 59.56% |
| Wisconsin | 81.18% | 18.82% | 59.10% |
| Michigan | 82.41% | 17.59% | 59.08% |
| Mississippi | 89.93% | 10.07% | 58.23% |
| Rhode Island | 88.84% | 11.16% | 57.82% |
| District of Columbia | 81.42% | 18.58% | 57.65% |
| Georgia | 85.46% | 14.54% | 57.54% |
| Kentucky | 86.53% | 13.47% | 57.26% |
| Arizona | 84.35% | 15.65% | 56.98% |
| Ohio | 83.87% | 16.13% | 56.66% |
| Connecticut | 82.15% | 17.85% | 56.17 |
| Montana | 77.30% | 22.70% | 56.06% |
| Washington | 86.29% | 13.71% | 55.09% |
| Pennsylvania | 81.85% | 18.15% | 54.77% |
| Illinois | 82.54% | 17.46% | 54.62% |
| Arkansas | 84.58% | 15.42% | 54.54% |
| Kansas | 87.88% | 12.12 | 54.23% |
| Colorado | 82.27% | 17.73% | 53.65% |
| Texas | 84.21% | 15.79% | 53.51% |
| Iowa | 73.08% | 26.92% | 53.17% |
| Virginia | 80.44% | 19.56% | 53.07% |
| New Mexico | 81.57% | 18.43% | 52.66% |
| Louisiana | 80.43% | 19.57% | 52.62% |
| Missouri | 80.48% | 19.52% | 51.55% |
| Nebraska | 80.99% | 19.01% | 51.49% |
| Nevada | 81.91% | 18.09% | 50.64% |
| Utah | 73.38% | 26.62% | 44.64% |
*This chart was updated using the most recent data released by the SSA in February 2024. We will update this chart as more data becomes available.
Related: Can I work with a Social Security attorney from another state?
Back to topWhat Is The Hardest State To Get Disability?
As of January 2024, Utah replaced Kansas as being the hardest state to get Social Security disability benefits in 2024. 
As of the most recent data released to the public by the SSA (February 2024), Utah had an approval rate of 44.64%—1 percentage point lower than the national average. While applying for disability benefits in Utah might not be advantageous for getting your claim approved, it does not mean that it's impossible to get approved for benefits in this state. Despite Utah's low approval rate, there a many people living in Utah who do get approved for disability. This is because getting approved for disability relies on each applicant's disabling condition(s), circumstances, and situation.
Nevada has the second-worst SSD application approval rate in the U.S., with only 50.64% of applications getting approved (as of February 2024).
Back to top2 Minutes To See If You Qualify
If you feel that you may qualify for disability benefits, regardless of what state you live in, it is always worth it to apply. And, when applying for benefits, it is also wise to consult with a disability advocate or attorney.
A disability attorney is an irreplaceable—and often is an invaluable—resource when filing out disability benefit applications, making sure paperwork is organized, and, if necessary, assisting you in the appeals process. You’ll need to consult the SSA’s Blue Book listing to determine what records and medical documentation are necessary for your application for SSD benefits. Thus, it is not uncommon for people to say that working with a disability attorney and/or advocate is one of (1) the best ways to get and/or (2) signs your disability claim will be approved.
So, to give yourself the best chance at receiving the assistance you deserve, speak with a disability attorney today by filling out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page right now—all at zero cost to you. Use our Social Security benefits calculator to see how much you could be able to earn in disability benefits.
Back to topAdditional Resources
- Disability Lawyers Near Me
- Disability Benefits Claims 101: How to Get Started
- What Is SSDI
- Difference Between SSI and SSDI
- What are qualifying conditions for SSDI?
- Is Mental Illness a Disability?
- What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability
- What Medical Conditions Qualify for Disability?
- Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability?
- What Heart Problems Qualify for Disability?
- What Eye Problems Qualify for Disability?
- Is Neuropathy A Disability
- Is Arthritis A Disability
- Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis
- How Long Does it Take to Get Disability Approval Letter
