People know Social Security for its retirement and disability benefits. But there is another important program that people can apply for even if they have not paid Social Security taxes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the SSA’s main source of funding. SSI is a government program that gives checks to low-income adults 65 and older, blind people, and people with medical conditions that make it impossible for them to work.
Beneficiaries must meet Social Security’s limits on their resources and income in order to get these benefits. Find out about the upcoming SSI check increase that will take place in January 2025 if you already qualify for this program.
Beneficiaries will get a new increase in SSI checks sooner than expected
In less than a month, people who get SSI checks will get more money each month thanks to the new cost of living adjustment (COLA), which was set at 2.5% on October 10th.
Most people who get Social Security will start getting their higher benefits on January 3, but people who get SSI will get their first payment on December 31, since June 1 is a weekend.
A lot of people may be upset about this increase in their monthly payments because they were hoping for a bigger one. However, it is better than the changes made last year.
Prices stay stable when inflation is low, and SSI users get fewer COLA increases, which is why the current 2.5% rise for 2025 is possible.
This scenario explains why the COLA has been going down over the last few years; in 2024, it will rise by 3.2% each year, down from 8.7% in 2023.
In addition, the Senior Citizens League said that SSI recipients might not like this year’s change, especially since it comes after big increases last year.
A person on SSI who currently makes about $698 a year would make an extra $17 a month with the new 2.5% rate. This would bring their total income to almost $715, or an extra $216 a year.
The real increase, on the other hand, will depend on how much each SSI recipient gets in checks. Couples making $1,415 a month can get up to $1,450, while individuals making $943 a month can get up to $967.
When you look back, COLA changes have been a little different in the past. For example, there was not much growth in 2010, 2011, or 2016.
On the other hand, because of the economy, adjustments have been above average over the last two years, going up by 5.9% in 2022 and the 8.7% that was previously reported in 2023. So, recipients should keep their hopes in check and be ready to make a small profit.
| Social Security categories | SSI checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
| On average | $698 | $716 | $18 |
| Individuals | $943 | $968 | $25 |
| Couples | $1,415 | $1,452 | $37 |
| Essential person | $472 | $484 | $12 |
Along with SSI checks, this yearly increase will also go to people who are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), who are survivors, or who are retired workers. Here’s more information about the specific rise for each of these groups:
Retirement benefits
- On average: $1,948
- Age 62: $2,778
- Age 67: $3,918
- Age 70: $4,995
Survivor benefits
- On average: $1,543
- Individual: $1,817
- 2 Children: $3,744
SSDI benefits
- On average: $1,575
- Blind recipients: $2,655
- Maximum payment: $3,918
Social Security Beneficiaries who rely on SSI checks should know the upcoming changes for 2025
Social Security has been making changes to the SSI program in order to increase benefits and make the application process easier. Read on to learn more about the most important changes for these groups:
- Reduce customer burden: This initiative seeks to exclude food from the ISM (In-Kind Support and Maintenance). Therefore, if an applicant receives food assistance from a neighbor, family member, or friend, that amount will not be considered as part of his or her income and will not reduce the amount of potential benefits.
- Digitization Efforts: SSA has eliminated the need for a signature on 13 documents and replaced the physical signature with a digital signature on more than 30 of the most commonly used forms. This will speed up the process while reducing operational costs.
- Online application: SSA is implementing the iClaim process so that SSI applicants can complete their application in a single workflow with more streamlined and simplified language that allows them to determine their eligibility for benefits and to provide necessary information and documentation.
