The 2025 COLA increase for SSDI is 2.5 percent

Social Security announced a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. This means the monthly payment amount for people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will increase by 2.5 percent starting in January 2025. The exact dollar amount of your increase depends on what you received in 2024.

This is a smaller increase than the previous year. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2 percent. The 2025 figure reflects how inflation has slowed compared to 2023 and 2024, when COLA increases were much larger—8.7 percent in 2023 and 8.7 percent in 2022.

You do not need to do anything to receive this increase. Social Security applies it automatically to your account in January. Your new payment amount will appear in your January 2025 benefit deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment will increase by 2.5 percent in January 2025, with no action required on your part.
  • The exact dollar amount of your increase depends on your current monthly benefit, which varies by person.
  • COLA increases are tied to inflation and change each year based on the Consumer Price Index.
  • You can check your current benefit amount and see your January payment in your my Social Security account online.

How the 2.5 percent increase works in dollars

A 2.5 percent increase means Social Security multiplies your current monthly payment by 1.025. If you currently receive $1,000 per month, your new payment would be $1,025. If you receive $1,200, your new payment would be $1,230.

The actual dollar amounts vary widely. The average SSDI payment in 2024 was around $1,550 per month, but individual payments range from several hundred dollars to over $3,800 depending on your work history and when you became disabled. Your specific increase will be proportional to whatever amount you currently receive.

Social Security rounds the final payment to the nearest whole dollar. If your calculation results in a payment ending in cents, it rounds to the nearest dollar amount.

When you will see the increase in your account

The 2025 COLA takes effect on January 1, 2025. Your first payment at the new amount will arrive in your bank account or on your payment card in early January, depending on your payment schedule. Most people on SSDI receive payments on the third of each month, though some receive them on different dates based on their birth date or when they started receiving benefits.

You can log into your my Social Security account online to see your updated payment amount before January arrives. Social Security typically posts the new amount in your account in late December 2024. This gives you a chance to verify the increase is correct before your January payment arrives.

Why COLA changes year to year

The COLA percentage is not set in advance. It is calculated each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation—how much prices for goods and services have risen. Social Security compares the average CPI for July, August, and September of one year to the same three months in the previous year. That percentage becomes the COLA for the following year.

In 2024, inflation was lower than in 2023, so the 2025 COLA (2.5 percent) is smaller than the 2024 COLA (3.2 percent). If inflation rises significantly in 2025, the 2026 COLA could be higher. If inflation stays flat or falls, the COLA could be lower or even zero—though Social Security has a rule that COLA never decreases, so the lowest possible COLA is zero percent.

This automatic adjustment is meant to help SSDI recipients keep up with the rising cost of living. Without it, your payment would buy less each year as prices increase.

COLA and other benefits you may receive

If you receive SSDI and also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both payments increase by the same COLA percentage. If you receive benefits as a family—for example, if your child receives benefits based on your disability record—each family member's payment increases by 2.5 percent.

If you are receiving SSDI and also have a pension from work not covered by Social Security (sometimes called a "non-covered pension"), the Government Pension Offset may reduce your benefits. The COLA increase applies to your benefit before this offset is calculated, so you will still see an increase in your actual payment.

Checking your benefit amount online

You can view your current SSDI payment and see your updated 2025 amount by creating or logging into a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number and a way to verify your identity—usually an email address or phone number you have used before with Social Security.

Once logged in, select "Benefit Verification" or "View Your Benefit Statement" to see your monthly payment amount. This is the same account where you can update your address, phone number, or direct deposit information if needed. If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your payment amount.

What to do if your payment seems wrong

If you log into your account in December or January and your payment does not increase by approximately 2.5 percent, or if the new amount seems incorrect, contact Social Security. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person. Have your current payment amount and your expected new amount ready when you call.

Social Security sometimes makes errors in calculating COLA, though this is rare. If there is a mistake, Social Security can correct it and issue back pay for any months you were underpaid. It is worth verifying your amount rather than assuming it is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to get the 2025 COLA increase?

No. Social Security applies the increase automatically to your account in January 2025. You do not need to contact them, fill out any forms, or take any action. The new payment amount will appear in your January deposit.

Will the 2.5 percent increase help with inflation?

The COLA is designed to help you keep up with inflation, but whether 2.5 percent is enough depends on what prices have risen most in your area and what you spend money on. If housing, food, or medical costs in your region have risen faster than 2.5 percent, the increase may not fully cover your increased expenses.

What if I am on SSI instead of SSDI—do I get the same increase?

Yes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients receive the same 2.5 percent COLA increase in January 2025. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, both payments increase by 2.5 percent.

Can I find out what my 2026 COLA will be?

No. The 2026 COLA will not be announced until October 2025. It will be based on inflation data from July, August, and September 2025. You can watch for the announcement from Social Security in the fall of 2025.

What happens if I am working and receiving SSDI—does the COLA still explore?

Yes. If you are working and receiving SSDI under a work incentive program, your SSDI payment still increases by the COLA percentage. The increase applies to your benefit amount before any work-related deductions are calculated.