SSI benefits are monthly checks or deposits to supplement retirement or SSDI payments when they are too low. They can be obtained if you are 65 years old, have a disability, or are blind. However, the amount will be different if you are an individual, an eligible married couple, or an essential person. These will be the three different recipients that will benefit from COLA.
An individual can receive up to $967 after the COLA increase. In 2024, the maximum SSI benefit has been $943, so it has gone up by 24 dollars only. A lower COLA boost than the average in the last 10 years.
Social Security & the COLA increase for couples on SSI
If you are an eligible married couple receiving the SSI program, you can get up to $1,450, up from the current amount of $1,415. Do not forget that these are the maximum amounts.
On average, a single SSI recipient gets about $698 per month in 2024. After the COLA increase, this will be about $715. Seniors aged 65 or older get about $575 on average in 2024.
After the COLA increase their SSI payment will become about $589. So the boost most recipients can expect will be between 14 dollars and 24 dollars if you are an individual. Under-18s will get about $838, up from $818. Recipients aged 18-64 can receive about $744 on average in 2024. In 2025, it will be about $762 on average.
SSI amount for an essential person after COLA
Social Security confirms the COLA increase for SSI recipients who are essential persons. So far, they can receive up to $472 in 2024. Once they receive their January 1 payment on December 31, 2024, they will get up to $484.
In fact, this boost will be about 12 dollars. Even if it is not much money it could be of great help. In just one year, you could get $144 in total if you receive the full amount.
Do not forget that the January payment will be sent on New Year’s Eve because New Year’s Day is a Federal Holiday. Thus, it will be delivered on the previous business day, Dec. 31.
