The SSA has announced the COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) increase for the year 2026; it is 2.8%. The increase has resulted in the payment rate hike for the SSI and social security benefits, such as retirement benefits, disability benefits, and survivor benefits.
The increase in the monthly payment will be implemented from January 2026. If you are a beneficiary of SSI or any social security benefit, you will get the increased payment from the Social Security Administration from the month it will be implemented officially.
Note that the SSA will send the increased monthly payment of the Supplemental Security Income and different social security benefits from January 2026 through the payment method you have chosen to get the payout. Here, we have discussed all you need to know about the increase in payout.
How much will SSI and Social Security benefits rise in 2026?
There will be a 2.8% increase in the SSI and Social Security benefit from January 2026. Currently, a beneficiary of the SSI gets the maximum monthly payment of $967 and $1450 as an individual and couple, respectively, and the payment rates for the different social security benefits vary from person to person.
Note that how much your SSI or Social Security benefit payment will increase starting in January 2026 depends on how much your payment is currently. Let us assume that you currently receive $1,000 from the SSA; in this situation, with an increase of 2.8%, your monthly payment will become $1,028.
What will be the SSI & Social Security Benefit Payouts in 2026?
Below, we have discussed the maximum full rates of the SSI and other Social Security benefits, which are going to be implemented from January 2026.
- Supplemental Security Income: If you currently receive SSI coverage at $967 as an individual, your monthly payment will increase to $994 with a 2.8% increase. If you receive as a couple, your monthly payment will increase to $1,490.6, up from the current maximum payment of $1,450.
- Social Security Benefit: If you receive retirement benefits, you should know that the benefit is $5160 for those who have delayed their retirement till the age of 70. From January 2026, the benefit will increase by 2.8% to $5,251.
If you receive a disability benefit or survivor benefit from the SSA, your payment will also increase depending on your current payout. To know the increased amount you will receive starting in January 2026, you need to add a 2.8% increase to your current benefit.
When will I receive the increased SSI & Social Security benefit?
The Social Security Administration will send increased SSI and Social Security benefit payments in January 2026. If you are an SSI beneficiary, you will receive your payment due January 1, 2026, on the first working day of December 2025, and other payments will be received as per the schedule.
If you are a beneficiary of a retirement benefit, note that you will receive payment based on your birthday. If the birthday falls between the 1st and 10th, your payment will be received on the second Wednesday, and if the birthday falls between the 11th and 20th or the 21st and 31st, payout will come on the third and fourth Wednesdays, respectively.
What if the SSI or Social Security payment does not come on time?
The SSA releases the SSI and Social Security benefit payments exactly on the scheduled date without any delay. If you have selected direct deposit as your payment method, you will receive your payment within a few hours of the payment being cleared.
Beneficiaries who receive Social Security benefits or SSI payments by paper check must wait at least one week after the payment date to receive their paper check in their mailbox. If you do not receive your payment after waiting for a reasonable period of time, it is best to contact the SSA officials.
Disclaimer: This information discusses the 2026 SSI and Social Security benefit increase. Confirm official rates and updates with the SSA.
