The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025, affecting both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
This adjustment aims to align benefits with inflation, ensuring recipients maintain their purchasing power.
SSDI Benefits in March 2025
SSDI benefits are disbursed based on the beneficiary’s date of birth and the date they started receiving benefits:
- Beneficiaries Who Started Receiving Benefits Before May 1997 or Receive Both SSI and SSDI: Payments are made on the 3rd of each month. For March 2025, this falls on Monday, March 3.
- Beneficiaries Who Started Receiving Benefits in May 1997 or Later: Payments are scheduled according to the beneficiary’s birth date:
| Birth Date Range | Payment Date in March 2025 |
|---|---|
| 1st – 10th | March 12 (Second Wednesday) |
| 11th – 20th | March 19 (Third Wednesday) |
| 21st – 31st | March 26 (Fourth Wednesday) |
Note: The 2.5% COLA increase is reflected in these payments.
SSI Payments in April 2025
SSI benefits are typically disbursed on the 1st of each month. However, if the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payments are made on the preceding business day. For April 2025, the schedule is as follows:
- April 1, 2025 (Tuesday): SSI recipients will receive their payments on this date.
Note: The 2.5% COLA increase, effective from December 31, 2024, is included in these payments.
| Benefit Type | March 2025 Payment Date | April 2025 Payment Date |
|---|---|---|
| SSDI (Pre-May 1997 or SSI & SSDI) | March 3 | April 3 |
| SSDI (Birth Date 1st – 10th) | March 12 | April 9 |
| SSDI (Birth Date 11th – 20th) | March 19 | April 16 |
| SSDI (Birth Date 21st – 31st) | March 26 | April 23 |
| SSI | February 28 | April 1 |
Impact of COLA on Benefit Amounts
The 2.5% COLA increase affects the average benefit amounts as follows:
- SSDI: The average monthly payment increased from $1,542 in 2024 to approximately $1,580 in 2025, an increase of about $38.
- SSI: The maximum federal SSI payment amounts for 2025 are:
- Individual: $967 per month
- Couple: $1,450 per month
- Essential Person: $484 per month
Important Considerations
- Early SSI Payment in February 2025: Since March 1, 2025, falls on a Saturday, SSI payments were disbursed on February 28, 2025. This means there is no separate SSI payment in March 2025.
- Retroactive Payments for Public Servants: Due to the Social Security Fairness Act, over 3.2 million retired public workers, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, will receive a one-time retroactive benefit and an increase in their monthly payments starting March and April 2025.
Understanding the updated payment schedules and the impact of the 2.5% COLA increase is essential for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries. By staying informed about these changes, recipients can better manage their financial planning for 2025.
FAQs
Why didn’t I receive an SSI payment in March 2025?
Since March 1, 2025, falls on a Saturday, SSI payments were issued on February 28, 2025. Therefore, there is no separate SSI payment in March 2025.
How does the 2.5% COLA affect my SSDI benefits?
The 2.5% COLA increase means that if you were receiving $1,542 per month in 2024, your benefit increased to approximately $1,580 per month in 2025.
When will I receive my SSDI payment in March 2025 if my birthday is on the 15th?
If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, your SSDI payment will be disbursed on the third Wednesday, which is March 19, 2025.