The Social Security Administration (SSA) is announcing today, October 14, 2026, the cost-of-living adjustment — known as the COLA — that will apply to Social Security and SSI benefits starting in January 2027. Based on the most recent projections, the expected increase is approximately 3.5%, higher than the 2.8% applied in 2026 and reflecting the inflation recorded between July and September 2026.
The COLA is calculated each year from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The SSA compares the July–September average of each year with the same period the previous year to determine the percentage increase. Data from the first two months of the measuring window pointed to an adjustment between 3.3% and 3.6%.
How much will SSI payments increase in 2027
If 3.5% is confirmed, the maximum SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits starting January 2027 would be as follows:
Individual: from the current $994 per month to approximately $1,029. Married couple: from the current $1,491 to approximately $1,543. Essential person: from the current $498 to approximately $516.
These are the federal maximum amounts. Many states add a state supplement that can push the monthly amount above these figures depending on where you live.
When the new COLA takes effect
The adjustment takes effect on January 1, 2027. However, SSI recipients will see it reflected in the payment on December 31, 2026, because the SSA advances the payment when the first day of the month falls on a holiday or weekend. Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor beneficiaries will see the new amount in their January 2027 deposits, on their usual payment dates by birth date.
Why the 2027 COLA is higher than 2026
The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, one of the lowest figures in recent years. The higher projected adjustment for 2027 reflects the fact that inflation has remained more persistent than expected throughout 2026, particularly in categories such as food away from home, housing, and health services — precisely the budget items that weigh most heavily on older Americans and people with disabilities.
Organizations like the Senior Citizens League have noted that, despite annual adjustments, the purchasing power of SSI and Social Security benefits has declined by roughly 20% since 2000, because the CPI-W does not accurately reflect the actual spending patterns of retirees and SSI recipients.
What else changes besides the monthly amount
The COLA does not only affect the monthly check amount. Each annual adjustment also changes other important program thresholds. The income limit for continuing SSI eligibility increases by the same proportion, as do the allowable asset thresholds in some linked programs. In many states, the SSI COLA also automatically adjusts Medicaid eligibility, since that program uses SSI limits as a benchmark.
Workers who receive SSI and have earned income will also see slight updates to the income exclusion thresholds, which can allow them to work a bit more without losing the full benefit.
How the COLA affects SNAP
The Social Security COLA does not directly modify SNAP benefits, which follow their own update schedule. However, if an SSI recipient’s monthly income increases in January 2027, the state may recalculate their SNAP eligibility or benefit amount at the next annual review. In most cases the effect is minimal or zero, since SNAP rules also account for cost-of-living increases.
What to do before January 2027
No action is required to receive the COLA increase. The SSA applies it automatically to all active beneficiaries. If your mailing address or bank account information has changed, it is important to update it now at My Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount) to ensure you receive your payment correctly in January. The SSA will send an official notification letter by late 2026 with the exact amount of your new benefit.