Every year, Social Security adjusts benefit payments to keep pace with inflation through what's called a Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. For 2026, that adjustment is 2.8%—which translates to a few extra dollars in your monthly check. Here's what the increase means for your benefits and when you'll see it in your account.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How much SSI and SSDI payments are increasing in 2026
- When you'll receive your first increased payment
- How the COLA is calculated and what it's meant to do
- Other important 2026 changes to earnings limits and thresholds
- Why the increase may not feel like enough
- How to make the most of your benefits
The 2026 COLA Numbers
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2026, a slight increase from the 2.5% COLA in 2025. Here's what that means in actual dollars:
For SSI recipients: The maximum federal payment increases from $967 to $994 per month for individuals—a $27 increase. For couples where both partners receive SSI, the maximum rises from $1,450 to $1,491 per month, an increase of $41.
For SSDI recipients: Because SSDI payments vary based on your individual work history, the exact dollar increase depends on your current benefit amount. The average SSDI recipient will see their payment rise from approximately $1,586 to $1,630 per month—an increase of about $44. The maximum possible SSDI benefit in 2026 is $4,152 per month.
These increases apply automatically. You don't need to do anything to receive your higher payment.
When You'll See the Increase
The timing of your first increased payment depends on which program you receive.
SSI recipients will see the 2026 COLA reflected in the payment they receive on December 31, 2025. Because January 1, 2026 falls on a holiday, SSI payments that would normally arrive on the first of the month are paid on the last business day of December instead. So your first higher payment actually arrives a day before the new year begins.
SSDI recipients will receive their first increased payment in January 2026. The exact date depends on your birth date, as SSDI payments are staggered throughout the month. If your birthday falls on the 1st through 10th, you're paid on the second Wednesday. If it falls on the 11th through 20th, you're paid on the third Wednesday. If your birthday is on the 21st through 31st, you're paid on the fourth Wednesday.
If you receive both SSI and SSDI (known as concurrent benefits), you'll see increases to both portions according to their respective schedules.
How the COLA Is Calculated
The annual COLA isn't a number that Social Security picks arbitrarily—it's tied directly to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W.
Social Security compares the average CPI-W from the third quarter of the current year (July through September) to the same period in the previous year. The percentage change becomes the COLA for the following year. For 2026, that calculation showed inflation of 2.8%.
The purpose of the COLA is to maintain the purchasing power of your benefits. In theory, a 2.8% increase should let you buy the same amount of goods and services as you could before prices rose. In practice, it's more complicated—but that's the intent behind the adjustment.
Other 2026 Changes That Affect Your Benefits
The COLA isn't the only number that changes each year. Several important thresholds are also adjusted:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit: The amount you can earn while still being considered disabled for SSDI purposes increases to $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for blind individuals. Earning above these amounts consistently can jeopardize your SSDI eligibility.
Trial Work Period threshold: The earnings level that triggers a Trial Work Period month rises to $1,210. Any month you earn above this amount counts toward your nine Trial Work Period months.
SSI earned income exclusions: The general and earned income exclusions that determine how work affects your SSI payment remain unchanged, but the Student Earned Income Exclusion increases to $2,450 per month (up to $9,840 per year) for qualifying students under 22.
Work credits: The amount of earnings needed to earn one work credit increases to $1,890. You can earn up to four credits per year, and these credits determine future Social Security eligibility.
Resource limits: Unfortunately, the SSI resource limit remains stuck at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples—the same level it's been since 1989. This limit is not adjusted for inflation.
Why the Increase May Not Feel Like Enough
A 2.8% raise sounds reasonable in the abstract, but for many people living on disability benefits, it doesn't come close to covering the actual increase in their expenses.
The CPI-W measures inflation across a broad basket of goods and services, weighted toward the spending patterns of urban wage earners. But people on disability benefits often face different cost pressures. Housing costs in many areas have risen far faster than general inflation. Healthcare expenses, including premiums, copays, and items not covered by Medicaid or Medicare, continue to climb. Disability-specific costs like accessible transportation, home modifications, and specialized equipment aren't adequately reflected in the index.
When your total monthly income is $994, a $27 increase represents meaningful money—but it doesn't go far when rent alone has increased by $50 or $100 per month. The math is especially painful for SSI recipients, whose benefits are designed to keep them below the poverty line.
Making the Most of Your Benefits
While you can't control how much your COLA increase is, you can take steps to ensure you're getting everything you're entitled to and managing what you have effectively.
Check for state supplements: Many states add a supplement to federal SSI payments. Make sure you're receiving yours if your state offers one.
Review your benefit calculation: If your circumstances have changed—like a change in living arrangement or income—make sure Social Security has current information. You could be entitled to more (or need to avoid an overpayment).
Use an ABLE account: If you're eligible, an ABLE account lets you save money without it counting toward the SSI resource limit. The age limit expanded in 2026 to include people whose disability began before age 46, opening this option to millions more people.
Track your resources carefully: The SSI resource limit didn't increase, so staying under $2,000 remains critical. A checking account designed for benefits recipients can help you monitor where you stand.
Report changes promptly: Whether your income goes up or down, reporting changes to Social Security quickly helps avoid overpayments and ensures your benefit amount is accurate.
Purple helps you stay on top of your benefits. Our checking account is designed specifically for SSI and SSDI recipients, with tools to track your resources and manage your money—so you can make every dollar of your COLA increase count.