The 2025 SSDI increase is 2.5 percent
Social Security announced a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. This means that if you receive SSDI, your monthly payment will be 2.5 percent higher starting in January 2025 than it was in 2024.
The exact dollar amount you receive depends on your individual benefit calculation — how much you earned during your working years and when you became disabled. Two people receiving SSDI will see different dollar increases, even though the percentage is the same for everyone.
Social Security calculates COLA each year based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Because inflation was lower in 2024 than in 2023, the 2025 increase is smaller than the 8.7 percent increase that happened in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- All SSDI recipients receive the same 2.5 percent increase in January 2025, though the dollar amount varies by person.
- The increase is automatic — you do not need to do anything to receive it.
- Social Security bases COLA on inflation measurements from the previous year, so the percentage changes annually.
- Your new payment amount will appear in your January 2025 payment or in a notice from Social Security before then.
When the increase takes effect
The 2.5 percent increase begins with your January 2025 payment. If you receive SSDI by direct deposit, the new amount will arrive in your bank account on your regular payment date in January. If you receive a paper check, it will reflect the new amount.
Social Security typically sends a notice in December showing your new payment amount. Check your mail or your my Social Security account online to see the exact dollar figure before January arrives. If you do not receive a notice and your payment changes unexpectedly, contact Social Security to confirm the amount is correct.
How to find your new payment amount
The easiest way to see your 2025 payment amount is to log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you are signed in, you can view your payment history and see the updated amount listed for January 2025.
If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. The account takes a few minutes to set up and lets you check your payment information anytime without calling.
You can also call Social Security's main number at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your new payment amount. Have your Social Security number ready when you call. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or on weekdays.
Why COLA changes year to year
The percentage increase is not the same every year because it depends on how much prices rose during a specific period. Social Security measures inflation using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which tracks the cost of goods and services that people buy regularly.
In 2024, inflation was lower than in 2023, which is why the 2025 increase (2.5 percent) is smaller than the 2024 increase (8.7 percent). In years when inflation is high, COLA is higher. In years when inflation is low or prices are stable, COLA is lower.
Congress does not vote on COLA each year — the law requires Social Security to calculate it automatically based on inflation data. This means the percentage is set by economics, not by political decisions.
What the increase means for your budget
A 2.5 percent increase sounds small, but the actual dollar amount depends on what you currently receive. Someone receiving $1,000 per month will see an increase of $25. Someone receiving $1,500 per month will see an increase of $37.50. The higher your current payment, the larger the dollar increase.
If you use your SSDI payment to cover rent, food, or medical costs, even a small increase can help. However, the increase may not keep pace with the actual cost of living in your area, especially for housing or healthcare. Some recipients find that the increase barely covers inflation in the things they spend money on most.
How COLA affects other benefits tied to SSDI
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, or if a family member receives benefits based on your SSDI record, they will also receive the 2.5 percent increase in January 2025. The increase applies to all Social Security payments, not just SSDI alone.
If you are working and receiving SSDI, the increase does not change your work incentives or the amount you can earn before your benefits are affected. Your earnings limit stays the same, and the COLA increase is separate from any work-related changes to your payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do anything to get the 2025 increase?
No. The increase is automatic. Social Security applies it to everyone's payment in January 2025 without requiring you to take any action. You will see the new amount in your January payment.
What if I think my new payment amount is wrong?
Contact Social Security to verify the amount. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office with your Social Security number. They can explain how your new amount was calculated and correct any errors.
Will the increase affect my SSI or other benefits?
The COLA increase applies to SSI as well as SSDI. If you receive both, both payments increase by 2.5 percent. If you receive other means-tested benefits like Medicaid or SNAP, the increase might affect your income limit for those programs — contact those programs to ask.
Can I see my new payment amount before January?
Yes. Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your updated payment information, or call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security also sends a notice in December showing your new amount.
Why is 2.5 percent so much smaller than last year's increase?
COLA is based on inflation from the previous year. Inflation was much higher in 2023 than in 2024, so the 2024 increase was 8.7 percent and the 2025 increase is 2.5 percent. The percentage reflects actual price changes in the economy.