If you have noticed your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits do not go as far as they did just a couple of years ago, your mind is not playing tricks on you. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, living expenses have reached a 13-year high.
Recently, the Social Security Administration announced an increase in SSDI payments that takes effect for most recipients at the beginning of 2022. This cost-of-living adjustment is a remarkable 5.9%.
How do you find your benefit amount?
If you have already qualified for SSDI benefits, you should know the amount of your monthly payment. Still, if you are uncertain about your benefits increase, you can plan to receive a written explanation from the SSA shortly. This notification should describe your COLA increase and give you additional information about when to expect larger payments.
When will your larger payments arrive?
The SSA should add your COLA to your existing benefit amount automatically. Then, you should receive a larger payment on your normal payment date. According to the SSA, most benefits recipients should receive adjusted payments after January 1, 2022, while some may receive them as early as December 20, 2021.
Will benefits increase again?
While increased SSDI benefits may help you make ends meet, you should not count on your benefits to increase every year. After all, the SSA applies a COLA only when the Consumer Price Index increases. If the CPI does not go up next year or during subsequent years, your benefits are not likely to go up either.
Ultimately, because the SSA is not perfect, it is advisable to review your SSA mailings and monitor your SSDI payments to ensure you receive the increase you deserve.
