Yes, SSDI payments went up in 2019

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments increased by 2.8 percent in 2019. This increase, called a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), took effect in January 2019 for all people receiving SSDI benefits. The exact dollar amount of your increase depended on what you were receiving in December 2018.

The 2.8 percent COLA was larger than the previous year's adjustment. In 2018, SSDI payments had gone up by only 2 percent. The 2019 increase reflected higher inflation in the economy during 2018, which Social Security measures using a specific government index.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments increased by 2.8 percent starting in January 2019 for all recipients.
  • The COLA amount changes each year based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
  • Social Security announces the COLA for the following year in October of the current year.
  • The increase applied automatically to all SSDI recipients — you did not need to do anything to receive it.

How the 2019 COLA was calculated

Social Security calculates the annual COLA by measuring inflation using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This index tracks the cost of goods and services that working people buy, including food, housing, transportation, and medical care. If prices rose more during the year, the COLA is larger. If prices stayed flat or fell, there is no COLA that year.

For 2019, the CPI-W showed enough inflation during 2018 to trigger a 2.8 percent increase. Social Security calculates this percentage by comparing the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months of the previous year. The result is rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.

When you received the 2019 increase

The 2019 COLA took effect on January 1, 2019. If you were receiving SSDI on that date, your payment for January 2019 and all months after reflected the 2.8 percent increase. You did not need to contact Social Security or take any action — the increase happened automatically.

Social Security mailed notices to all SSDI recipients in December 2018 explaining the new payment amount. If you did not receive a notice, you could contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your new benefit amount.

What the 2019 increase meant in real dollars

The actual dollar amount of your increase depended on your individual benefit. Someone receiving $1,000 per month in December 2018 would have received an additional $28 per month starting in January 2019. Someone receiving $1,200 per month would have received an additional $33.60 per month. The percentage was the same for everyone, but the dollar amount varied based on each person's benefit level.

The 2019 COLA also affected other payments tied to SSDI, including benefits paid to family members on your record. If your spouse or children were receiving benefits based on your work history, their payments increased by the same 2.8 percent.

Why COLA matters for SSDI recipients

Over time, inflation reduces what money can buy. A dollar in 2019 buys less than a dollar in 2010. The COLA is designed to keep SSDI payments from losing value as prices rise. Without the annual adjustment, people on fixed SSDI income would gradually become poorer in real terms, even though their benefit amount stayed the same.

However, COLA adjustments are not always may provide. In years when inflation is very low or negative, Social Security may not provide a COLA. This happened in 2010, 2011, and 2016, when no increase occurred. The 2.8 percent increase in 2019 was larger than average, reflecting stronger inflation in 2018.

How to find out your specific 2019 benefit amount

Social Security mailed a notice to your address on file in December 2018 showing your new January 2019 benefit amount. If you lost that notice or need to confirm the amount, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. This online account shows your current benefit amount and payment history.

You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with a representative. Have your Social Security number ready. Local Social Security offices can also provide this information in person, though wait times vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did everyone on SSDI get the same 2.8 percent increase in 2019?

Yes, all SSDI recipients received the same 2.8 percent increase in January 2019. The percentage was uniform, though the dollar amount varied based on each person's benefit level. Family members receiving benefits on your record also received the same 2.8 percent increase.

What if I started receiving SSDI after January 2019?

If you began receiving SSDI in 2019 or later, your initial benefit amount already reflected the 2019 COLA and all subsequent adjustments. You would not receive a separate retroactive increase. Your future COLAs would be calculated the same way as everyone else's.

How is the COLA announced, and when do people find out about it?

Social Security announces the COLA for the following year in October. For example, the 2019 COLA of 2.8 percent was announced in October 2018. Recipients then receive a notice in December showing their new benefit amount effective January 1. You can also find the announcement on the Social Security website.

Can I choose not to take the COLA increase?

No, the COLA is applied automatically to all SSDI benefits. You cannot decline the increase or have it held in a separate account. The increase becomes part of your regular monthly payment starting in January.