SSDI payments will not receive a separate raise in April 2025

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments do not have their own April increase. Instead, all SSDI beneficiaries receive one annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which takes effect in January. The January 2025 COLA is 2.5 percent, and that is the only raise SSDI recipients will see until January 2026.

The confusion often arises because some federal benefits — like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — have separate payment schedules and rules. SSDI is tied directly to Social Security, which means it follows Social Security's single annual adjustment cycle. Once January passes, the payment amount stays the same for the rest of the calendar year.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI receives one raise per year in January, not in April or any other month.
  • The 2025 COLA of 2.5 percent was announced in October 2024 and went into effect with January 2025 payments.
  • Your SSDI payment amount will remain the same from January through December 2025 unless you report a change in your work or living situation.
  • SSI payments, which are separate from SSDI, also receive their annual adjustment in January, not April.
  • If you receive both SSDI and SSI, each program applies its own COLA calculation, but both happen in the same month.

How the COLA is calculated and announced

The COLA percentage is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation across the economy. The Social Security Administration calculates the change in the CPI-W from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next year. That calculation determines the COLA for the following January.

For 2025, the CPI-W showed a 2.5 percent increase, so all SSDI beneficiaries received a 2.5 percent raise on their January 2025 payment. The Social Security Administration announced this figure in October 2024, giving beneficiaries advance notice before the January payment arrived.

The COLA is not may provide to increase every year. In 2016 and 2017, there was no COLA because inflation was too low. The percentage also varies widely — the 2022 COLA was 8.7 percent due to high inflation, while 2023 saw 3.2 percent and 2024 saw 3.2 percent as well.

What happens to your payment between January and December

Once your January payment reflects the COLA, that amount is locked in for the entire calendar year. If you continue to work, your earnings are tracked and reported to Social Security, but they do not change your monthly SSDI payment until the next January COLA takes effect. The only exception is if you report a major change — such as returning to substantial work, a change in your living arrangement, or a change in your family composition — that Social Security determines requires a mid-year adjustment.

Many beneficiaries mistakenly expect a raise in April because tax refunds arrive then, or because they confuse SSDI with other programs that have different payment schedules. SSDI payments are always the same amount on the same day each month, from January through December.

The difference between SSDI and SSI payment schedules

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program that serves people with disabilities, blindness, or age 65 and older who have very low income and resources. SSI also receives a COLA in January, not April. However, SSI has different rules about how much you can earn and own before your payment is reduced, and SSI payments are typically smaller than SSDI payments.

If you receive both SSDI and SSI — which is possible if your SSDI payment is below a certain threshold — you will see both payments adjusted in January. The COLA percentage is the same for both programs, but the dollar amount of the increase depends on what you were receiving before the adjustment.

When to expect your January 2025 payment with the COLA included

SSDI payments are issued on a schedule based on your birth date. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, you receive payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, you receive payment on the third Wednesday. If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st, you receive payment on the fourth Wednesday.

The January 2025 COLA was included in the first SSDI payment you received in January 2025. If you have not yet seen the increase, check your payment schedule by logging into your my Social Security account online or by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

How to verify your 2025 payment amount

You can see your current SSDI payment amount by creating or logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account shows your payment history, your next scheduled payment date, and your current monthly benefit amount. This is the most reliable way to confirm that your January 2025 COLA was applied correctly.

If you receive a paper check instead of direct deposit, the check will show the new amount starting with your January payment. If you use direct deposit, the deposit will reflect the new amount on your regular payment date in January.

If your payment amount did not increase in January, or if the increase seems smaller than 2.5 percent, contact Social Security to ask why. Errors do occur, and Social Security can review your account and correct it if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some people say they got a raise in April?

They may be confusing SSDI with other programs, or they may have had a mid-year change in their circumstances that Social Security processed in April. Some beneficiaries also receive tax refunds in April and mistake that for a benefit increase. SSDI itself does not have an April adjustment.

Will there be a COLA in January 2026?

There will be a COLA in January 2026, but the percentage is not yet known. The Social Security Administration will announce the 2026 COLA in October 2025, based on inflation data from the summer months. It could be higher, lower, or the same as 2.5 percent.

What if I go back to work — does my payment change mid-year?

If you return to substantial work and your earnings exceed the Social Security Administration's threshold, your SSDI payment may be reduced or stopped. However, this change is usually processed in the month after Social Security learns about your work, not automatically in April. Report your work to Social Security as soon as possible.

Can I get a retroactive increase if my COLA was not applied?

Yes. If your January 2025 payment did not include the 2.5 percent COLA, Social Security can correct the error and pay you the difference going back to January. Contact Social Security when ready to report the problem.