Americans Living in These U.S. States Receive the Most Disability Benefits
Across the United States, millions of people receive disability benefits every month. Government aid provides financial assistance to those physically or mentally unfit to work, often due to chronic health conditions affecting people of all ages — not just the elderly.
Do you live in one of the states in which more Americans receive disability benefits than any other? Find out where most people across the U.S. are receiving help.
15. Oklahoma
Nearly 6% of people in Oklahoma received disability benefits in 2015. | Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $156 million
About 5.8% of Oklahoma’s population received government assistance as the result of disability in 2015. Americans in this state received a total of $156 million that year.
Next: Up north, disability rates are high.
14. Rhode Island
People in Rhode Island received about $46 million in disability benefits in 2015. | SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $46.3 million
In 2015, approximately 6% of Rhode Island’s population received disability benefits. A total of $46.3 million was provided to those individuals that year.
Next: Here’s another northeastern state where disability benefits are common.
13. New Hampshire
In 2015, $61.6 million in disabilty benefits went to people in New Hampshire. | coleong/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $61.6 million
In 2015, approximately 6.1% of New Hampshire’s population received disability benefits. A total of $61.6 million was provided to those individuals that year.
Next: This southern state has one of the highest amounts of monthly benefits.
12. Lousiana
Total disability payments in Louisiana are close to $200 million. | iStock.com/ SeanPavonePhoto
- Total monthly benefits received: $198.4 million
About 6.1% of Louisiana’s population received government assistance as the result of disability in 2015. Americans in this state received a total of $198.4 million that year.
Next: Over 6% of this state’s population receives these benefits.
11. Vermont
About 6% of people in Vermont get disability benefits. | SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $27.1 million
It’s estimated that in 2015, about 6.2% of the population of Vermont received benefits as the result of disability. A total of $27.1 million was provided to those individuals that year.
Next: This is one of few midwestern states on the list.
10. Michigan
Total disability payments to people in Michigan were more than $475 million. | garyrennis/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $475.7 million
Approximately 6.3% of Michigan’s population received disability benefits in 2015. They collectively received around $475 million that year.
Next: Only one of the Carolinas makes the list.
9. South Carolina
In South Carolina, about 6.4% of people are receiving disability payments. | Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $229.9 million
About 6.4% of South Carolina’s population received disability benefits in 2015. The government spent nearly $230 million providing disability income that year.
Next: Southern states appear to receive more benefits than northern ones.
8. Missouri
Total disability benefits in Missouri were just under $275 million. | WorldExotc21/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $274.7 million
An estimated 6.4% of Missouri residents received disability benefits in 2015. Those individuals collected about $274 million total that year.
Next: This is one of the most surprising states on the list.
7. Tennessee
Just under 7% of Tennessee residents received disabilty benefits. | Sean Pavone Photo/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $311 million
In Tennessee, 6.7% of people received disability benefits in 2015 alone. Collectively, they were given around $311 million that year.
Next: Nearly 8% of this state’s population depends on disability benefits.
6. Maine
Total disability benefits to this state are nearly $70 million. | StevenSchremp/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $69.8 million
In 2015, approximately 7.7% of Maine’s total population received disability benefits. Altogether, this totaled just under $70 million.
Next: People in this southern state receive over $160 million in monthly benefits.
5. Mississippi
Almost 8% of people in this state are on disability. | SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $161.4 million
It’s estimated that in 2015, about 7.9% of the population of Mississippi received benefits as the result of disability. A total of $161.4 million was provided to those individuals that year.
Next: Over 8% of this state’s population is on disability.
4. Kentucky
About $258 million in disability benefits went to people in Kentucky in 2015. | toddtaulman/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $257.7 million
About 8.2% of Kentucky’s population received government assistance as the result of disability in 2015. Americans in this state received a total of $257.7 million that year.
Next: Residents of this state received $168 million in disability benefits in 2015.
3. Arkansas
About 8.4% of people in Arkansas are on disability. | Sean Pavone/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $168.1 million
It’s estimated that in 2015, about 8.4% of the population of Arkansas received benefits as the result of disability. A total of $168.1 million was provided to those individuals that year.
Next: This southern state has the second-highest number of disability recipients.
2. Alabama
People in Alabama received $293.5 million in disability benefits in 2015. | iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $293.5 million
About 8.5% of Alabama’s population received government assistance as the result of disability in 2015. Americans in this state received a total of $293.5 million that year.
Next: More Americans receive disability benefits in this state than any other.
1. West Virginia
Close to 9% of West Virginians received government disability benefits in 2015. | Albert Tibbs/iStock/Getty Images
- Total monthly benefits received: $122.4 million
About 8.9% of West Virginia’s population received government assistance as the result of disability in 2015. Americans in this state received a total of $122.4 million that year.
Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!