Each year, the Social Security Administration adjusts payments to beneficiaries based on inflation. These cost-of-living adjustments, also known as COLAs, increase the size of monthly checks for Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and other Social Security benefits.
The SSDI COLA for 2025 is 2.5%, meaning you’ll see higher payments and a slightly higher income limit if you’re still working.
In this article, we’ll discuss who qualifies for an SSDI COLA, how much you can work, and how the COLA has increased for the year.
Get the benefits you earned.
Key Takeaways
- Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) automatically increase Social Security benefits, including disability, with no extra action required.
- In 2025, SSDI beneficiaries can earn up to $1,620 per month ($2,700 if blind) without losing benefits.
- SSDI benefits rose 2.5% in 2025 through a COLA based on inflation measured by the CPI-W.
In this article about the SSDI benefits COLA 2025:
SSDI benefits COLA for 2025: Who qualifies?
COLAs apply to Social Security Administration benefits payments, including disability.
There are no eligibility requirements for this benefit increase. COLAs are applied automatically, so you won’t have to do anything to receive them.
According to SSA data, the average monthly benefit for a disabled worker in December 2024 was $1,581. A 2.5% COLA raised that to $1,620 in 2025, a nearly $40 increase each month.
To make sure your benefits have increased, you can sign into your mySocial Security account on the SSA’s website. If you don’t see the COLA applied to your account, you can contact the SSA.
2025 SGA limit for disability
In addition to the COLA, the monthly income limit for working SSDI beneficiaries also increased in 2025. This limit is known as substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit and refers to paid work that requires significant mental or physical effort.
In 2025, SSDI beneficiaries can work and keep their benefits as long as their pre-tax income is less than $1,620 a month or $2,700 for individuals who are blind. That’s up from $1,550 in 2024, or $2,590 for those who are blind.
How is the SSDI payment increase for 2025 calculated?
Each year, the SSA adjusts benefits to keep up with inflation. COLAs are determined by changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures the cost of everyday goods and services.
When the CPI-W increases, SSDI benefits rise with cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to help beneficiaries offset higher prices. For 2025, the CPI-W increased by 2.5%, and the SSDI benefits COLA for 2025 reflects that growth.
How Woods & Woods can help
Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.
You worked hard – let us fight for you.
Frequently asked questions
The SSDI payment increase for 2025 is 2.5%. Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) are applied automatically, so you don’t have to do anything to receive it. You can check your benefits anytime online through your mySocial Security account.
In addition to a universal 2.5% increase in SSDI payments, the 2025 SGA limit for disability also increased by 2.5%. This limit, set at $1,620 per month, applies to any paid work that requires mental or physical activity.
Lori Underwood
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She previously practiced Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney.
She has been an attorney at
Woods & Woods since 2014.
