The 2025 SSI payment increase takes effect in January

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments increase once per year, tied to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). For 2025, the increase is 2.5 percent, effective January 1. This means the maximum federal SSI payment amount rises from $943 per month in 2024 to $967 per month in 2025 for an individual, and from $1,415 to $1,450 for a couple.

The exact amount you receive depends on your individual circumstances — your income, resources, living situation, and state of residence. Not everyone on SSI receives the maximum. If you live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment (called a state supplement), your total increase may be higher or lower than the federal COLA.

You do not need to do anything to receive the increase. The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies it automatically to your account. Your January payment will reflect the new amount.

Key Takeaways

  • SSI payments increase by 2.5 percent in January 2025, raising the federal maximum from $943 to $967 per month for individuals.
  • The increase is automatic — you will see it in your January payment without taking any action.
  • Your actual payment amount depends on your income, resources, and state of residence, so the increase may be more or less than 2.5 percent for you.
  • Some states add their own money to SSI (a state supplement), which may increase by a different percentage or not at all.
  • The increase is based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which the SSA calculates each year using inflation data.

How the COLA is calculated and announced

The COLA percentage is set by federal law and tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The SSA announces the COLA in October of the year before it takes effect. For 2025, the SSA announced the 2.5 percent increase on October 10, 2024.

The COLA is the same for SSI and Social Security retirement or disability benefits. However, the dollar amount of the increase differs because SSI and Social Security have different payment structures and maximum amounts. A 2.5 percent increase on a $943 payment is smaller in dollars than a 2.5 percent increase on a larger Social Security benefit.

The COLA changes year to year based on inflation. In recent years, the COLA has ranged from 1.3 percent (2021) to 8.7 percent (2023). There is no way to predict what next year's COLA will be until the SSA announces it in October.

State supplements and how they affect your increase

Thirty-one states and Washington, D.C., provide a state supplement to SSI on top of the federal payment. These supplements vary widely — some add $10 to $50 per month, while others add several hundred dollars. The state supplement amount and its annual increase are set by each state's legislature, not by federal law.

Some states increase their supplement by the same COLA percentage as the federal payment. Others increase it by a different amount, or do not increase it at all. A few states have frozen their supplements at a fixed amount for years. You need to contact your state's SSI program directly to learn whether your state supplement is increasing in 2025 and by how much.

To find your state's SSI program, search online for "[your state] SSI" or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for your state's supplement contact information. The SSA can also tell you the exact amount of your state supplement and whether it is changing.

When you will see the increase in your bank account

SSI payments are issued on the first, third, or fourth of each month, depending on your birth date and when you were first approved. The January 2025 payment — whichever date you normally receive it — will include the 2.5 percent increase.

If you receive SSI by direct deposit, the money will appear in your bank account on your regular payment date. If you receive a check, it will arrive by mail on or shortly after your payment date. If you receive a debit card (the Direct Express card), the funds will be loaded on your payment date.

Do not expect a separate notice or letter about the increase. The SSA sends a notice to some recipients but not all. You can log into your Social Security account online at ssa.gov to see your payment amount before January arrives, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask.

What happens if your income or resources change

The COLA increase is applied to your SSI payment amount, but your total monthly payment can still go down if your other income increases. SSI counts wages, self-employment income, and some other sources of income against your payment. If you start a job or receive a raise in January 2025, your SSI payment may be reduced even though the COLA increased.

Similarly, if you receive a lump sum (an inheritance, tax refund, or back pay) that pushes your resources over the SSI resource limit ($2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple), you could lose SSI entirely for that month. The COLA increase does not change these resource or income limits.

If you are working or expecting a change in income or resources, report it to the SSA right away. You can report changes online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my SSI payment definitely go up by 2.5 percent?

Not necessarily. Your payment will increase by 2.5 percent only if you are receiving the full federal SSI amount and have no other income. If you have wages, self-employment income, or other countable income, your SSI payment may not increase by the full 2.5 percent, or it may decrease. If you live in a state with a supplement, the state portion may increase by a different percentage or not at all.

What if I was not on SSI in 2024 — do I still get the increase?

Yes. If you are approved for SSI at any point in 2025, your payment amount will be based on the 2025 federal maximum ($967 for an individual) and the 2025 COLA. You do not have to have been receiving SSI in 2024 to benefit from the increase.

Can I find out my exact new payment amount before January?

Yes. You can create an account at ssa.gov and log in to see your current and projected payment amounts. You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to tell you your January 2025 payment amount.

Does the COLA increase affect my Medicaid or food stamps?

It may. Some states use SSI income to determine Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) may be able to access and benefit amounts. If your SSI payment increases, your other benefits could change. Contact your state's Medicaid and SNAP programs to ask how the SSI increase affects you, or ask the SSA to explain the impact when you call.