As a Winston-Salem disability lawer, Attorney Brad Collins answers a lot of questions about the Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart. Last year, due to historic cost-of-living increases, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the largest increase to monthly benefit payments in 40 years. This year with inflation persisting, Social Security announced the new cost-of-living adjustment will be 2.5%, effective January 2025.
We’ll cover how that cost-of-living increase impacts disability payments in detail below.
How Cost of Living Impacts Social Security Disability Payments
Anyone receiving Social Security disability or retirement benefits is subject to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) COLA, or “Cost of Living Adjustment.” As the cost of common household goods increase, SSA adjusts benefits upward at a comparable rate.
To arrive at their decision, SSA uses varous tools to analyze cost increases nationally. The most well-known index is the Consumer Price Index. Since 1975, Social Security’s general benefit increases have been based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Because the cost of goods increase at different rates in different areas, the SSA uses a tool called an index. An index gathers data from many sources. Since 1975, Social Security’s general benefit increases have been based on increases in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
Another commonly used index is the Meric cost of living index. It derives the cost of living index for each state by averaging the indices of participating cities and metropolitan areas in that state. And, since 1968, the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), has also published a popular cost index.
2025 Social Security Disability Benefits Pay Chart
Last week, the SSA announced an 8.7 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA). This was a significant increase from last year’s 3.7-percent COLA. This is the largest increase in 42 years. And good news if you rely on monthly Social Security benefits to purchase common household goods. Over the last year, you may have noticed increases in the price of common household goods. And in the overall cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC. The COLA adjustment should provide needed relief to disability claimants impacted by rising prices.
Below, you can find a list of historic COLA’s from SSA.gov.
Similar to years past, claimants receive their Social Security payments based on their day of birth. If a claimant’s birthdate falls in the range of the 1st through the 10th, they receive their Social Security Disability payments on the second Wednesday of the month. Birthdates between the 11thand the 20th receive their payment on the third Wednesday of each month. And birthdates between the 21stand 31st receive their payments on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Applying for Disability Benefits in 2025
Given the cost of living increases and the updated 2025 Disability payment schedules, qualified claimants should consider filing for SSDI or SSI benefits. Many people choose to work with a qualified disability lawyer to improve their chances of an approval. To learn more about applying for or appealing a denied disability claim, contact our Winston-Salem disability attorneys for a free consultation.
