SSI & SSDI: Projected 2026 COLA Increase For Disability Benefits

Many Americans who rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depend heavily on these monthly benefits to cover basic needs.

While the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is not always large, even small increases can make a real difference for households living on limited incomes.

For 2026, early projections suggest a modest 2.2% COLA increase, slightly lower than the 2025 adjustment.

This article explains what COLA is, how it’s calculated, and what the 2026 adjustment could mean for SSDI and SSI recipients.

What is COLA and Why It Matters?

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is the method used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to ensure that benefits keep up with inflation.

• COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
• Each fall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases inflation data for the third quarter, which determines the following year’s COLA.
• For example:
  • In 2023, beneficiaries received a large 8.7% increase, reflecting high inflation.
  • In 2024, the COLA slowed to just 2.5%, showing a cooling economy.

This system ensures that payments rise in line with the cost of everyday goods and services, even if increases are modest.

Average Payments Before the Adjustment

Currently, beneficiaries receive:

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): About $714 per month on average.
• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Roughly $1,580 per month on average.

While these amounts provide a basic income, many recipients struggle to keep up with expenses. That is why even a small percentage boost matters.

2026 COLA Projection for SSDI and SSI

The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has projected a 2.2% COLA for 2026.

• This figure is 0.3% lower than the 2025 adjustment.
• A lower percentage reflects the fact that inflation has cooled and prices have stabilized.
• However, projections made early in the year can change. The official COLA will be confirmed in October 2025, after the BLS finalizes third-quarter inflation data.

In other words, while 2.2% is a solid estimate, the actual increase may shift slightly depending on inflation trends.

SSI Payment Changes in 2026

Let’s see how the 2.2% projection would impact SSI benefits:

• The maximum SSI benefit for an individual in 2025 is $967.
  • After a 2.2% increase, the new payment would be about $988 per month in 2026.
• For an eligible married couple, the maximum benefit in 2025 is $1,450.
  • After the boost, this would rise to around $1,481 in 2026.

That means:

• Single recipients would receive about $21 more each month.
• Couples would see an increase of about $31 per month.

While the dollar amounts are not huge, they still add up over the year and help offset rising living costs.

SSDI Payment Changes in 2026

For those on SSDI, the COLA projection would also provide a modest boost.

• The average SSDI payment of $1,580 would increase to about $1,615 per month.
• Higher benefit recipients would see bigger dollar increases.

Here’s how different SSDI amounts would look with a 2.2% COLA:

Current Payment	2026 Payment (After 2.2% Increase)
$4,000	$4,088.00
$3,500	$3,577.00
$3,000	$3,066.00
$2,500	$2,555.00
$2,000	$2,044.00
$1,500	$1,533.00
$1,000	$1,022.00
$900	$919.80
$500	$511.00

This table shows that even small percentage increases translate into meaningful dollars for those depending on monthly benefits.

Why the COLA Projection May Change

It’s important to remember that the 2.2% COLA estimate is not final. The SSA will only announce the official figure in October 2025.

The final decision depends on:

• CPI-W inflation data from July, August, and September 2025.
• Broader economic conditions, including energy prices, housing costs, and food inflation.

Thus, while the estimate is reliable for planning, recipients should wait until the fall for confirmation.

The projected 2.2% COLA increase for 2026 may not sound dramatic, but for millions of SSI and SSDI recipients, it represents critical financial relief.

Individuals could see around $21 more per month, while couples may gain about $31 extra, and SSDI beneficiaries will also notice modest boosts depending on their benefit levels.

Even though inflation has cooled compared to recent years, these adjustments help ensure that Social Security benefits maintain their value and provide stability for vulnerable Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions