If you’re one of the millions of Americans who gets SSDI benefits (for disabled workers), you’re probably keeping a close eye on both your next payment and how next year’s increase is shaping up. Here’s a simple look at the final October 2025 payment date, current benefit figures, and the latest on the delayed 2026 cost of living adjustment, or COLA increase.
The SSDI benefits are disbursed every month in three groups: the first deposit is for those who has birthdates from 1 to 10 of any given month; the second group is for those who has birthdates from 11 to 20; and the third group is for those who has birthdates from 21 to 31 of any month.
The last SSDI payment comes next week with $4,018 checks
The upcoming (and last) date is for people with birthdays that fall from the 21st through the 31st of any month. The magic date for this section of beneficiaries is October 23, the date that closes this month’s calendar.
The average monthly SSDI payment in 2025 is about $1,580. But how much you get depends on your lifetime earnings record. For people who earned a lot over the years, the max possible benefit this year is 4,018. For families with a disabled worker with dependents, the average payment is higher at about $2,826.
What will happen with the COLA in 2026?
The official announcement of the COLA has been pushed back thanks to the federal government shutdown. That creates a little mystery. The Social Security Administration has said the new COLA figure will be announced on October 24, 2025, delayed from the original date which was October 15. Once the inflation data the government uses is available. While we wait for the official number, independent estimates from groups like The Senior Citizens League TSCL give us an early look. They now expect the 2026 COLA to be in the range of 2.7% to 2.8%.
While that would give monthly checks a small boost, it’s also widely expected that a boost in benefits could be partly wiped out by a rise in Medicare Part B premiums that are usually taken directly out of Social Security and SSDI benefits.
Updated requirements to claim SSDI disability benefits
Eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is fundamentally based on two key criteria: your work history and the severity of your medical condition. First, you must have a substantial work history where you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings, which translates into earning enough “work credits.” Most applicants need to have accumulated 40 credits, with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years leading up to your disability. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits: any case could be different, so, your own case will be examined when applying.
Secondly, you must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death, and which prevents you from performing “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). This means your condition is so severe that you cannot engage in the work you previously did or adjust to other types of substantial work. The Social Security Administration has a strict definition of disability, and the application process requires thorough medical evidence to support your claim.
If you think you could be eligible to claim your SSDI benefits, head now to the official SSA website and start your application online.
