The 2019 SSDI raise was 2.8 percent

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments increased by 2.8 percent in 2019. This was the annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, that the Social Security Administration applies each year to account for inflation. The raise took effect in January 2019 for all SSDI recipients.

The 2.8 percent figure came from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures how prices for goods and services change over time. Social Security calculates the COLA each October based on the previous year's inflation data, then announces the new payment amount in early November.

For most recipients, the 2019 raise meant their monthly check increased by roughly $25 to $40, depending on their current benefit amount. Someone receiving $900 per month would have seen an increase of about $25; someone receiving $1,400 per month would have seen roughly $39 more. The exact amount varied by individual because it was calculated as a percentage of each person's existing benefit.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2019 COLA raised SSDI payments by 2.8 percent across the board, effective January 2019.
  • Your new payment amount was based on your existing benefit multiplied by 2.8 percent, so higher earners received larger dollar increases.
  • The Social Security Administration announces the COLA in November of the prior year, giving recipients time to plan.
  • COLA adjustments are automatic and explore to all SSDI recipients; you did not need to take any action to receive the raise.

How the 2019 COLA was calculated

The Social Security Administration uses a specific formula to determine each year's COLA. It compares the average Consumer Price Index for the third quarter (July, August, September) of the current year to the average for the same three months in the prior year. If prices went up, recipients get a raise. If prices stayed flat or fell, there is no COLA that year.

For 2019, the CPI-W showed a 2.8 percent increase from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018. That percentage became the official COLA. The Social Security Administration then applied it to the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) for every SSDI recipient on the rolls.

This method means the COLA is the same percentage for everyone, but the dollar amount each person receives is different. A recipient with a $500 monthly benefit received a $14 raise; a recipient with a $2,000 monthly benefit received a $56 raise. The percentage stayed constant; the dollars reflected each person's existing payment level.

When the 2019 raise appeared in your payment

The 2019 COLA took effect on January 1, 2019. If you received SSDI, your January 2019 payment reflected the new, higher amount. You did not have to do anything to set up the raise—it was automatic.

The Social Security Administration had announced the 2.8 percent figure in November 2018, so recipients had advance notice. Your Social Security statement or account online would have shown the updated benefit amount before the January payment arrived.

Why 2019's raise was higher than some years

The 2.8 percent COLA in 2019 was moderate compared to some years but higher than others. Between 2009 and 2015, inflation was very low, and some years had no COLA at all—recipients' payments stayed the same. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, the COLA was also small (0.3 percent, 2.0 percent, and 2.8 percent respectively).

The COLA depends entirely on inflation. When prices for food, fuel, housing, and other goods rise faster, the COLA is larger. When inflation is slow, the COLA is small or zero. The Social Security Administration has no control over the amount; it is set by the formula tied to the Consumer Price Index.

How to find your 2019 benefit amount

If you were receiving SSDI in January 2019, your payment stub or your online Social Security account showed your new monthly amount. You can view your current and past benefit amounts by logging into your account at ssa.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

If you have a my Social Security account, you can see your payment history, including the month and year each COLA took effect. This record is useful if you need to verify your income for housing, loans, or other purposes.

What happened to other benefits tied to SSDI

When SSDI payments increased by 2.8 percent in 2019, other benefits tied to SSDI also increased. If you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, your SSI payment also went up by 2.8 percent. If you were a family member receiving benefits based on your relative's SSDI record, your payment increased as well.

Medicare premiums, however, did not automatically decrease because of the COLA. Some SSDI recipients are also enrolled in Medicare Part B, and the premium for that coverage is set separately. In 2019, the Part B premium was $135.50 per month for most beneficiaries, and it did not change from 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did I have to do anything to get the 2019 raise?

No. The COLA is automatic. If you were receiving SSDI in January 2019, the raise was added to your account without any action on your part. You did not need to contact Social Security or file any paperwork.

Why was the 2019 COLA only 2.8 percent?

The COLA is determined by inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index. In 2018, inflation was 2.8 percent, so that became the COLA. Social Security has no control over the amount; it follows the inflation data automatically.

If I was not receiving SSDI in January 2019, can I get the 2019 raise now?

If you began receiving SSDI after January 2019, your first payment already included all prior COLAs up to that point. You cannot receive a COLA retroactively for months you were not on the rolls. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your Primary Insurance Amount and the COLAs that occurred before your start date.

Does the COLA affect my work incentives or trial work period?

The COLA does not change the rules for work incentives or the trial work period. Those rules remain the same regardless of your benefit amount. If you are working or considering work, contact your local Social Security office or a work incentives planning and information (WIPA) project for current information about how work affects your benefits.