The 2025 COLA increase is 2.67 percent

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments increased by 2.67 percent on January 1, 2025. This is the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which means your monthly benefit went up automatically if you were receiving SSDI on that date. You do not need to do anything to receive this increase — it happens without a new process or request.

The 2.67 percent figure is lower than the 2024 increase of 3.2 percent. COLA is calculated each year based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), measured from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. Because inflation slowed in 2024 compared to 2023, the 2025 adjustment is smaller.

If you receive SSDI, your new payment amount should appear in your January 2025 payment. If you use direct deposit, the money arrives on your regular payment date. If you receive a paper check, it arrives by mail according to your scheduled payment day.

Key Takeaways

  • Your SSDI payment increased by 2.67 percent in January 2025 with no action required on your part.
  • The exact dollar amount of your increase depends on what you were receiving before January 1, 2025.
  • COLA is based on inflation data and changes each year — the 2025 rate is lower than 2024 because inflation slowed.
  • You can check your new payment amount by logging into your Social Security account online or calling 1-800-772-1213.

How much your payment actually increased in dollars

The 2.67 percent increase applies to every SSDI recipient, but the dollar amount varies because it depends on what you were receiving before the adjustment. Someone receiving $800 per month gets a different dollar increase than someone receiving $1,500 per month, even though both receive the same 2.67 percent bump.

To find your exact new payment amount, log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Sign in with your username and password, then look for "Benefit Verification Letter" or "Payment History" — both show your current monthly amount. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with a representative who can tell you your new payment over the phone.

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov using your Social Security number, email address, and a phone number. The account takes a few minutes to set up and gives you access to your payment information anytime without calling.

When the increase appears in your bank account or mailbox

The 2025 COLA increase was paid starting with your January 2025 benefit. If you receive direct deposit, the money arrived on your regular payment date in January — most SSDI recipients are paid on the third of each month, though some have different dates based on their birth date or when they started receiving benefits.

If you receive a paper check, it was mailed to arrive by your scheduled payment date. Paper checks take longer to arrive than direct deposit, so if you have not received yours yet, allow a few extra days. If your check does not arrive within a week of your normal payment date, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Going forward, your new higher payment amount will be your regular monthly benefit. The 2025 COLA increase is permanent — you will not see it decrease back to the old amount next month.

Why COLA changes every year

COLA is not set by Social Security or Congress — it is calculated automatically based on inflation data. Specifically, it measures the change in 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 next year. When prices rise faster, COLA is higher. When inflation slows, COLA is lower.

In 2024, inflation was higher than in 2023, so the 2024 COLA was 3.2 percent. In 2025, inflation had slowed compared to 2024, so the 2025 COLA dropped to 2.67 percent. This means your purchasing power — what your money can actually buy — is protected somewhat, though COLA does not always keep up perfectly with real-world costs.

The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025 and will take effect in January 2026. It will be based on inflation data from mid-2024 to mid-2025.

What to do if your payment did not increase

Most SSDI recipients receive the COLA increase automatically. However, some people do not see an increase, and there are specific reasons why.

If you are also receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, your SSDI portion increased by 2.67 percent, but your total payment may not have changed. This happens because SSI has a monthly limit, and if your SSDI increase pushes you over that limit, your SSI portion decreases to keep your total payment at or below the maximum. This is called the "deemed" rule or "offset." Your SSDI increase is still there — it is just offset by a reduction in SSI.

If you received SSDI for only part of 2024 — for example, if your benefits started in June 2024 — you still receive the 2025 COLA on your current payment amount. You do not receive a partial COLA or a delayed COLA.

If you believe your payment did not increase when it should have, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Bring your Social Security card and a recent benefit statement showing what you received in December 2024 and January 2025.

How COLA affects other benefits and programs

The 2025 COLA affects not only SSDI but also other benefits tied to Social Security. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your SSI payment also increased by 2.67 percent on January 1, 2025, subject to the same offset rules mentioned above.

If you receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits, those payments also increased by 2.67 percent. If a family member receives benefits based on your SSDI record — for example, a child or spouse — their payment increased by the same percentage as well.

Some state and local programs that use your SSDI payment as a reference point may also adjust their payments. For example, some housing information programs or state disability supplements use your SSDI amount to calculate what you receive from them. Check with any other programs you participate in to see whether they have adjusted your payment based on the COLA increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my SSDI payment increase again in 2026?

Yes, there will be another COLA in January 2026, but the percentage will be different from 2.67 percent. The 2026 COLA is calculated based on inflation data from mid-2024 to mid-2025 and will be announced in October 2025. You will not know the exact amount until then.

Do I need to report the increase to other programs I'm on?

You may need to report it to some programs. If you receive housing information, food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, or other means-tested benefits, the increase in your SSDI payment could affect your may be able to access or the amount you receive from those programs. Contact each program to ask whether you need to report the change.

Can I opt out of the COLA increase?

No. COLA is applied automatically to all SSDI recipients and cannot be declined or delayed. If the increase causes a problem with another benefit you receive, contact that program to discuss your options — they may have rules that protect you from losing benefits due to a COLA increase.

What if I think my payment amount is wrong?

Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your current payment amount, or call 1-800-772-1213. Have your December 2024 and January 2025 payment statements ready so you can compare them. If the increase is not 2.67 percent of your December amount, ask Social Security to review your account.

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

No. The COLA increase does not change your work incentives, trial work period, or any other SSDI work rules. Your benefits continue to work the same way they did before the increase.