Good news is coming if you receive your Social Security SSI check, as the government confirms that you will be getting more money thanks to the COLA increase. Over the last year, monthly SSI payments have increased, giving millions of beneficiaries who rely on SSI much-needed financial relief.
Why Social Security SSI Checks Are Going Up
The SSI checks are going up because of a 2.5% Cost-of-Living-Adjustment that was announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for 2025. The reason for this adjustment is to ensure that SSI and Social Security benefits can keep up with inflation rates. Therefore, as the cost of items such as gas, groceries, and services such as healthcare go up, the benefits also go up so that beneficiaries can be able to afford them despite inflation.
From March 2024 to March 2025, the average SSI payment rose from $699.22 to $715.58, which is a $16.36 increase. While it may seem like a small increase, millions of people relying on SSI payments get relief from it.
Why is the Increase Important?
The COLA adjustment ensures that Social Security SSI checks are able to cover rising expenses. The adjustment is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is a metric used by the government to calculate inflation.
In January 2025, the average monthly SSI payment jumped to $714.37 from $696.70 in December 2024. The SSA has noted that despite the increases in the SSI payments, recipients receiving these benefits have only increased slightly from about 7.4 million in March 2024 to 7,414,184 in March 2025.
What Experts are Saying About the COLA 2025
Financial experts say this is a positive sign. According to Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor in Tennessee, the steady numbers mean we’re seeing some stability after years of big changes during the pandemic. “It equates to fewer inflationary pressures, even if pricing remains high for many everyday items,” he said.
Michael Ryan, a personal finance expert, added that the COLA for 2025 dropping to 2.5% is another sign that inflation is cooling. He pointed out that monthly changes have been pretty stable this year, especially after the large increase in January.
But not everyone is celebrating. Drew Powers of Powers Financial Group warned that SSI checks still aren’t keeping up with the real costs seniors face. He said that over time, even small gaps between inflation and benefits can turn into serious financial problems for older adults.
Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, noted another important change. He said that after September 2024, the number of people getting benefits started to rise. That’s because a policy change meant that free food no longer counted as income, which helped more people qualify for SSI and receive larger checks.
Stability Now, But Long-Term Uncertainty Remains
The SSA says it will continue to monitor inflation and adjust SSI payments each year. The next COLA update will be announced later in 2025 and will apply starting January 2026.
In addition to these yearly adjustments, the SSA is working on speeding up retroactive payments and applying new changes from the Social Security Fairness Act, which could further improve benefits for some.
However, there’s still concern about the future. Experts warn that unless Congress takes action, Social Security’s trust fund could face shortfalls by the mid-2030s. If that happens, benefits could be reduced unless lawmakers find new ways to fund the program.
Conclusion
If you’re receiving a Social Security SSI check, the government has confirmed that you are getting more money thanks to this increase. While the boost might be small, it’s a step in the right direction, and it shows that the system is working to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Make sure to check your payment schedule and keep up with updates from the SSA. As economic conditions change, your benefits may continue to adjust, too.