Yes, SSDI recipients received a COLA increase in 2022

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients did receive a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2022. The adjustment was 5.9 percent, which took effect on January 1, 2022. This meant that the average SSDI payment increased by roughly $70 per month, though the exact amount depended on each person's individual benefit amount.

The 2022 COLA was one of the largest increases in decades. It was calculated based on inflation data from the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020. Social Security announces the COLA percentage each October, and the new payment amount begins the following January.

If you received SSDI in 2022, you should have seen the increase reflected in your January payment. You would have received a notice from Social Security in December 2021 explaining the new amount. If you did not receive a notice or your payment did not increase, contact Social Security directly to ask why.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI recipients received a 5.9 percent COLA increase in 2022, effective January 1.
  • The exact dollar amount of the increase varied by person, based on their individual benefit amount.
  • Social Security sends a notice each December explaining the new payment amount for the following year.
  • COLA adjustments happen automatically for SSDI recipients—you do not need to do anything to receive the increase.

How the 2022 COLA was calculated

The COLA percentage is determined by comparing the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the previous year. In 2022, inflation had risen significantly, which is why the adjustment was larger than in previous years.

Social Security calculates this figure automatically each year. There is no process process or decision to make—if you were receiving SSDI on January 1, 2022, the increase was applied to your account without any action on your part. The same process happens every year, though the percentage changes based on inflation data.

What the 2022 increase meant for your monthly payment

The 5.9 percent increase applied to whatever your SSDI payment was in December 2021. If your monthly benefit was $1,200, the increase would have added roughly $71 to your payment. If your benefit was lower or higher, the dollar amount of the increase would have been proportionally different.

Some SSDI recipients also received payments for family members—such as a spouse or child. Those payments received the same 5.9 percent increase as well. The COLA applies to all Social Security payments, not just the primary beneficiary's amount.

When you would have received notice of the 2022 COLA

Social Security mailed notices to all SSDI recipients in early December 2021, explaining the 2022 COLA and showing the new payment amount. If you were receiving SSDI at that time, you should have received this notice before the end of the year. The new payment amount took effect on January 1, 2022.

If you did not receive a notice, it may have been lost in the mail, or there may have been an issue with your address on file. You can check your current payment amount by logging into your my Social Security account online, or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

COLA adjustments in other years

The COLA percentage changes every year based on inflation. In 2021, the COLA was 1.3 percent. In 2023, it was 8.7 percent—even larger than 2022. In years with very low inflation, the COLA can be as small as 0.1 percent or even zero.

You can find the COLA percentage for any year on the Social Security website. The adjustment always takes effect on January 1 and is applied automatically to all SSDI payments. There is no way to opt out of a COLA increase, and you cannot receive it retroactively if you were not receiving SSDI when it took effect.

What to do if your payment did not increase in 2022

If you were receiving SSDI in January 2022 but did not see an increase in your payment, contact Social Security to find out why. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

There are a few reasons your payment might not have increased: you may have started receiving SSDI after January 1, 2022; your case may have been suspended or terminated; or there may have been a processing error. Social Security can review your account and explain what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get the COLA increase?

No. If you were receiving SSDI on January 1, 2022, the increase was added to your account automatically. You do not need to contact Social Security or fill out any forms. The new payment amount straightforward appears in your next deposit.

What if I started receiving SSDI after January 1, 2022?

You would not have received the 2022 COLA increase, because it only applies to people already receiving payments on January 1. Your first payment would be based on the 2022 rate, and you would receive future COLA increases starting in 2023.

Can I get the COLA increase if I was not receiving SSDI in January?

No. The COLA takes effect on January 1 each year and only applies to people receiving SSDI on that date. If you stopped receiving SSDI and then restarted, you would not receive the increase retroactively for the months you were not receiving payments.

Does the COLA increase affect my Medicare premiums?

The COLA increase itself does not affect your Medicare premiums. However, if your SSDI payment increased, your income may have changed, which could affect other benefits or programs you receive. Contact Medicare or your state benefits office if you have questions about how the increase affects your coverage.

Where can I find the COLA for other years?

The Social Security website publishes the COLA percentage for every year. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about the COLA for any specific year, or visit your local Social Security office for this information.