The 2026 federal SSI payment amount has not yet been announced

The Social Security Administration sets the federal SSI payment amount each year based on a formula tied to inflation. The 2026 amount will be announced in October 2025, when the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is released. Until then, the 2025 payment of $943 per month for an individual remains the current figure.

The payment you actually receive depends on two things: the federal base amount and whether your state adds supplementary payments on top. Some states pay only the federal amount. Others add their own money, which means your total can be significantly higher than the federal base.

If you receive SSI now, the Social Security Administration will send you a notice in December 2025 showing your new 2026 payment amount. You do not need to do anything to receive the increase — it happens automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 federal SSI payment will be announced in October 2025 as part of the annual COLA announcement.
  • Your actual payment amount depends on both the federal base and any state supplementary payment your state provides.
  • If you currently receive SSI, Social Security will notify you in December 2025 of your new 2026 amount.
  • The 2025 federal payment is $943 per month for an individual, but this will increase for 2026 based on inflation.
  • State supplementary payments vary widely — some states add nothing, while others add $70 to $100 or more per month.

How the annual payment increase is calculated

The COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), measured from the third quarter of one year to the third quarter of the next. If prices have risen, the payment increases by that same percentage. If there is no inflation or prices fall, the payment stays flat — it never decreases.

The 2025 COLA was 3.2 percent, which is why the 2025 payment rose from $914 to $943. The 2026 COLA will depend on inflation between July and September 2025. A higher inflation rate means a larger increase; lower inflation means a smaller one.

This same COLA applies to Social Security retirement and disability benefits as well. It is the only mechanism that adjusts SSI payments for cost of living — there is no separate process for SSI recipients.

State supplementary payments and how they affect your total

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia provide their own supplementary payments to SSI recipients. These are state funds added on top of the federal amount. The size of the supplement varies dramatically by state and sometimes by living situation.

California, for example, adds roughly $70 per month for an individual living independently. New York adds about $87. Some states add nothing. A few states have different rates depending on whether you live alone, with family, or in a group home. These state supplements also increase annually, though the timing and percentage may differ from the federal COLA.

If you live in a state with supplementary payments, your total 2026 amount will be the federal base plus your state's supplement. You will see both figures broken out in your December 2025 notice from Social Security.

When you will receive notice of your 2026 payment

Social Security mails COLA notices in early December each year to everyone receiving SSI, Social Security retirement, or Social Security disability benefits. The notice shows your new monthly payment amount starting January 2026, any change in your Medicare or Medicaid coverage, and your estimated annual benefit.

You can also view your 2026 payment amount online through your Social Security account at ssa.gov starting in mid-December, before the physical notice arrives. Creating an account takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid email address and phone number.

If you do not receive a notice by mid-December 2025, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your address is correct in their system.

What changes if you are receiving both SSI and Social Security benefits

Some people receive both SSI and Social Security retirement or disability benefits. The SSI payment is reduced dollar-for-dollar by any other benefit you receive, so your total SSI amount may be small or zero. When the COLA increases your Social Security benefit in January 2026, your SSI payment will decrease by the same amount to keep your total unchanged.

This is called the "deemed income" rule. Your SSI notice will show this reduction separately so you can see how the increase in one benefit offsets the decrease in the other.

How to prepare for the 2026 payment change

If you are currently receiving SSI, the payment increase happens automatically — you do not need to contact Social Security or take any action. The new amount will appear in your bank account or on your payment card starting January 2026.

If you are not yet receiving SSI but think you may be may be able to access, the payment amount is one factor in your decision, but it is not the only one. may be able to access depends on your age, disability status, income, and resources. The payment amount itself does not determine who can receive SSI.

If your income or living situation changes before 2026, report it to Social Security when ready. Changes can affect both your may be able to access and the amount you receive, regardless of what the COLA increase will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the 2026 SSI payment definitely increase?

Not necessarily. The payment increases only if inflation has occurred between July and September 2025. If there is no inflation or prices fall, the payment stays at the 2025 level of $943. The COLA is announced in October 2025, so the exact amount will be known then.

How much will the 2026 payment increase?

That depends on inflation between July and September 2025, which has not yet occurred. The percentage increase will match the COLA percentage announced in October 2025. Historical increases have ranged from 0 percent to over 8 percent, depending on the year.

Do I need to report the payment increase to anyone?

No. Social Security handles the increase automatically. You do not need to contact them or file any paperwork. If you receive SSI and your circumstances have not changed, straightforward wait for the new amount to appear in January 2026.

What if I live in a state with supplementary payments — will that increase too?

State supplements usually increase annually, but the timing and amount vary by state. Some states tie their increase to the federal COLA; others set their own schedule. Your December 2025 notice will show your new state supplement amount if it changes.

Can I find out my 2026 payment before December?

Not until October 2025, when the COLA is announced. At that point, you can calculate your federal amount by explore the COLA percentage to $943. Your state supplement information may be available from your state's social services office, though the exact 2026 amount may not be finalized until later.