Marina
Good news if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI): your payment will get a meaningful boost just in time for the holidays. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed a 2.8 % cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2026‑benefits, and because of the way timing works for SSI, you’ll see that increase as early as December 2025.
What Is the COLA and Why Does SSI Get It Early?
A COLA is an annual increase intended to preserve the purchasing power of federal benefits — when inflation rises, benefit amounts rise. For 2026, SSA announced a 2.8 % increase for Social Security and SSI recipients.
For SSI, the increase hits early: because SSI payments for January are typically issued at the very end of December, the adjustment will show up in the December 2025 deposit. Thus, SSI recipients get a holiday boost ahead of other benefits.
New SSI Payment Amounts & Key Figures
Here are the major numbers you’ll want to know for SSI beneficiaries after the 2.8 % COLA:
| Category | Current Maximum (pre‑COLA) | New Maximum (post‑COLA) |
|---|---|---|
| Single eligible individual | $967 per month | ~$994 per month |
| Eligible couple | $1,450 per month | ~$1,491 per month |
| COLA percentage | – | 2.8 % |
These figures reflect the federal SSI maximums; individuals may receive less depending on income, resources and living situation.
Who Qualifies and What Changes With the COLA?
To qualify for SSI, you must meet certain non‑medical and medical criteria:
- Be 65 or older, blind, or disabled under SSA definitions.
- Have limited income and resources (e.g., resources under $2,000 for a single person).
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien and reside in one of the 50 states, DC or Northern Mariana Islands.
With the new COLA:
- Maximum benefit amounts increase by 2.8 %.
- The increase helps offset rising inflation for food, housing, utilities, healthcare — which disproportionately affect SSI recipients.
- Because SSI payment for January typically ships at the end of December, beneficiaries receive the raise at the December payment—hence the “holiday boost.”
Payment Timing: When the Holiday Boost Arrives
- SSI payments are usually made on the 1st of each month.
- If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is made on the preceding business day.
- For the December 2025 payment, SSI beneficiaries will receive the new higher amount on December 31, 2025.
- This means you’ll actually see the raise before January, giving an early uplift ahead of many other benefit recipients.
What It Really Means for Beneficiaries
Receiving a 2.8 % raise may not sound huge, but for low‑income SSI recipients, every dollar matters. For someone receiving the full $967 monthly maximum, the extra ~$27 per month adds up to over $300 annually. For couples, the increase is about $41 per month.
In practical terms:
- More ability to cover essentials like groceries, medications, utilities.
- Better budget stability through the holiday season.
- A signal that benefits are staying ahead of inflation, albeit modestly.
The upcoming 2.8 % COLA is welcome news for millions of SSI recipients — and the fact that it arrives in December 2025 means holiday timing works in your favour.
While the increases are modest, the extra $27 (single) or $41 (couple) per month can make a meaningful difference for those with limited incomes. You don’t need to apply; as long as you qualify and are already enrolled in SSI, the raise is automatic.
FAQs
Do all SSI recipients get the full new maximum amount?
No — the amounts listed are maximums. Your actual payment may be lower due to income, resources, living arrangement and state supplements.
Why do SSI recipients get the raise earlier than most Social Security retirees?
Because of the way SSI payment schedules align, the January benefit is paid at the end of December. Thus, the raise for January applies to the December deposit.
Will the COLA cover rising costs like housing and healthcare?
It helps, but not completely. While a 2.8 % increase gives relief, costs in housing and medical care may rise faster than inflation used in the COLA formula, meaning some recipients may still feel pressure.