In October 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has already mapped out a payment schedule for SSDI beneficiaries. Payment dates will be spread out through the month, according to the beneficiary’s birthday. For those who started to receive benefits before May 1997, payments will go out on October 3.
Those born from the 1st through 10th of any month will get their check on October 8th; those born from the 11th through 20th will get their check on October 15th; and those born from the 21st through 31st will get their check on October 22nd.
You should keep in mind that starting October 1, 2025, the SSA will no longer be paying benefits with paper checks, so those who were still getting their money that way up to September 2025 should urgently switch to direct deposit to a bank account or Direct Express card.
How much SSDI beneficiaries could get October
The maximum amount of money a SSDI beneficiary could get in 2025 is $4,018. However, how much each person gets depends on their work history and how much they paid into the Social Security system during their lifetime.
Those who earned more money in their working years could qualify for the maximum benefit, while others would get a smaller check. The cost of living adjustment COLA is a yearly increase in Social Security benefits to help offset inflation. For 2026, the Senior Citizens League (TSCL) has estimated a COLA of 2.7%.
This estimate is based on the data available through August 2025 and shows a moderate increase from the 2.5 adjustment that was put into effect in January 2025. The announcement of the 2026 COLA could be late: Here ‘ s why The official announcement of the 2026 COLA will be made on October 15, 2025.
The actual COLA could be delayed: why is that?
However, that announcement could be late because of the partial federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. The shutdown has hit the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS, which is responsible for collecting and publishing key economic data, including the CPI-W, which is key to calculating the COLA.
The federal government shutdown happened because Congress has failed to agree on the 2026 federal budget and, in the meantime, only the most essential functions are being kept up.
How COLA will impact SSDI benefits If the 2026 COLA is set at 2.7%, SSDI beneficiaries will see a proportional increase in their monthly payments. For example, a beneficiary getting the maximum amount of 4,018 per month would see an increase of about $108.49, bringing their monthly check to about $4,126.
This adjustment is meant to preserve how much money beneficiaries can buy in the face of inflation. Besides the COLA, other factors could also impact SSDI payments. For example, the Fairness for Social Security Beneficiaries Act , signed in January 2025, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.
This legislation has resulted in big increases for retirees and surviving spouses impacted by those provisions.
