What the 2025 increase means for Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments both increased in 2025 based on the annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. The COLA is calculated each year using inflation data from the previous year. For 2025, the increase was 2.5 percent — lower than the 3.2 percent increase in 2024.
If you receive SSDI or SSI, your payment amount went up automatically in January 2025. You did not need to do anything to receive the increase. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sent notices to beneficiaries in December 2024 showing the new payment amount.
The increase applies to your monthly check and to any family members who receive benefits based on your work record. If you are on SSI, the federal payment amount also increased, though some states add their own supplemental payments that may have different rules.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI and SSI payments increased by 2.5 percent in January 2025 as part of the annual cost-of-living adjustment.
- The increase happened automatically — you received the higher amount in your January payment with no action required.
- The COLA is based on inflation from the previous year and changes each year; the 2025 amount was lower than 2024's increase.
- Family members receiving benefits on your work record also received the same 2.5 percent increase to their payments.
How COLA is calculated each year
The cost-of-living adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The SSA looks at the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the previous year and compares it to the same three months from the year before. If inflation occurred, beneficiaries receive a COLA. If there is no inflation, there is no increase that year.
The COLA affects not only current beneficiaries but also the earnings limit for work incentives and the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold — the income level above which the SSA considers you able to work and may stop your benefits. For 2025, the SGA threshold for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month; for blind individuals it is $2,590 per month.
Congress does not vote on the COLA each year. The adjustment is automatic and set by law. This means the increase happens whether Congress acts or not, though Congress can change the formula itself through legislation.
What changed in your payment amount
The exact dollar increase depends on your current payment amount. Someone receiving $1,000 per month would see an increase of $25. Someone receiving $2,000 would see an increase of $50. The percentage is the same for everyone, but the dollar amount varies based on what you were already receiving.
If you receive both SSDI and SSI, or if you receive SSDI and also work, the increase applies to your SSDI portion. If you are on SSI and also receive other income (such as wages or a pension), your SSI payment may be reduced because SSI counts other income against the payment. The COLA increase itself does not change how SSI counts other income.
If you are receiving benefits as a family member — for example, as a spouse or child of someone on SSDI — your payment increased by the same 2.5 percent. The SSA sent you a notice showing your new amount.
How the increase affects work incentives and earnings limits
If you are working or thinking about returning to work while on SSDI, the increase in the SGA threshold matters. The SGA is the income level above which the SSA will assume you are working and may stop your benefits. For 2025, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind), the SSA will review your case to determine if you can continue receiving SSDI.
The trial work period and extended may be able to access period — work incentives that let you test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits — are not directly affected by the COLA. However, the earnings level used to measure your work capacity does change. If you are in a trial work period, you can earn up to $1,110 per month in 2025 and still count that month toward your nine-month trial work period.
The increase in payment amounts does not change the rules for how much you can earn. It only changes the dollar thresholds used to measure whether you are earning above the SGA level.
SSI payment amounts and state supplements in 2025
The federal SSI payment amount for 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. These amounts increased from 2024 due to the 2.5 percent COLA. If you live in a state that provides a supplemental payment on top of the federal amount, that state supplement may have its own increase or may remain the same — this varies by state.
Some states that provide supplements include California, New York, Pennsylvania, and others. The amount of the state supplement and whether it increases each year depends on that state's budget and rules. You can contact your state's SSI program or the SSA to find out what your state supplement is and whether it increased in 2025.
If you receive SSI and also receive income from work, a pension, or other sources, the COLA increase to the federal payment does not change how the SSA counts that other income. You still lose $1 in SSI for every $2 you earn above the work incentive threshold, and you still lose $1 in SSI for every $1 of unearned income above $65 per month.
What to do if you did not receive the increase or have questions
You should have received a notice from the SSA in December 2024 showing your new payment amount for 2025. If you did not receive a notice, or if your January payment did not reflect the increase, contact the SSA directly. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with a representative, or you can visit your local Social Security office in person.
If you receive your payment by direct deposit, the new amount should appear in your bank account on the same day each month that you normally receive it. If you receive a paper check, the new amount will be on the check itself. If the amount looks wrong, do not wait — contact the SSA to report it.
You can also create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your payment amount, your earnings record, and other information about your benefits. This account lets you see the details of your case without calling or visiting an office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 2025 increase affect my Medicare premiums?
Your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are deducted from your Social Security payment. If your payment increased, your premiums may have increased as well. The SSA holds your Part B premium harmless, meaning it cannot increase more than your COLA increase, but Part D premiums can increase independently. Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to ask about your specific premiums.
Does the COLA increase count as income for SSI purposes?
No. The COLA increase to your SSI payment itself does not count as new income. However, if you earn money from work, that still counts as income and may reduce your SSI payment. The COLA only adjusts the payment amount; it does not change how the SSA counts your earnings or other income.
What if I am on SSDI and also receive a pension or retirement income?
SSDI does not count pensions or other retirement income against your payment the way SSI does. Your SSDI payment increased by 2.5 percent regardless of other income you receive. However, if you are also on SSI, the pension or retirement income will reduce your SSI payment.
Can I appeal if I think my increase amount is wrong?
Yes. If you believe the SSA made an error in calculating your increase, you can request an explanation from the SSA. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office with your notice showing the new amount. The SSA can review your case and correct any errors.
When will the 2026 COLA be announced?
The SSA typically announces the next year's COLA in October. The 2026 COLA will be based on inflation data from July, August, and September 2025. You will receive a notice in December 2025 showing whether your payment will increase in January 2026.