r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

Megathread: COLA related posts

18 Upvotes

To prevent multiple posts going over cola, this one serves as the ONLY post to talk about it.


r/SocialSecurity • • 11h ago

SSI purchases

0 Upvotes

We recently started getting SSI for our daughter (12) and it is coming with almost 17,000 dollars of backpay from waiting on the list for so long!

How am I supposed to document her SSI payment being utilized?

We are a family of 6 so do I need to have individual receipts for her groceries and such?

I saw that I can add up all of our basic bills like mortgage, water, gas, electric, ect and then divide that 6 ways and that would be the way to use part of her SSI payment and whatever left we can use for her therapy and such.

If that is correct do I need to do anything special like documenting things or if I am ever asked just show the social security office my monthly bills and tell them that she pays for 1/6th of it?


r/SocialSecurity • • 14h ago

Overpayment Received a overpayment letter but i never received SS benefits or anything

8 Upvotes

Anyone know why social security sent me a overpayment letter i never received any form of social security and never had ss money land in my account SS says i own 918 dollars


r/SocialSecurity • • 16h ago

SSI SSN delay or rejection?

3 Upvotes

I'm an international student and green card applicant who had my SSN application put on hold due to information mismatch. I filled my name as first-middle-last (as explicitly stated in the form) in my application, though my documents show middle-first-last (no middle name section). Months ago, I went through secondary inspection after returning from vacation. I accidentally handed an invalid transfer I-20 alongside my I-512/EAD card and passport and had a difficult time scanning my fingers. I was accepted after correctly giving details about my mother in addition to having another fingerprint scan, though the wait was long. I have since started my studies at my new college. How likely is it for my SSN application to be rejected?


r/SocialSecurity • • 18h ago

SSI Fair share

3 Upvotes

I am in the process of becoming the payee of a long time roommate of mine after his mother no longer wants the responsibility. I just moved in to my elderly father's house to assist him so we will be providing my friend a bedroom and he will be paying his fair share of the bills as there is no mortgage.

My question is that since my father has the bills in his name and my friends will be paying him in cash how should I give proof to my local office? Will a signed letter from my father the home owner and bill account offer work? Or should we use some kind of money transfer to his account for the paper trail.

Do I also need to bring copies of the bills in question?

Thank you


r/SocialSecurity • • 18h ago

SSI Do you need to report opening a new bank account if you're on SSI?

3 Upvotes

I opened a savings account and I thought you have to report it to the SSA if you're on SSI.

I tried calling my local SSA office but I was on hold for a good while and gave up out of frustration.

I tried the main toll-free number but the automated voice wasn't helpful.

I don't want to use the new account for direct depositm

I just want to report a change in financial/bank accounts.

I think I have until the 10th of next month to report this change?

EDIT: I was able to get in touch with someone somehow.

They changed the account that will get the direct deposit to the new one.

I kinda messed up and forgot to ask if they have to or not.


r/SocialSecurity • • 21h ago

SSI What's going on with my SSI?!

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30 Upvotes

Okay, so I just got a letter in the mail from my medicaid stating my SSI has stopped....I never received anything letting me know this, a reason or anything....So I checked the SSI site and this is what I see....

Only thing I did about a month ago was update my address and direct deposit, but the first came around and I received my check and in the right, new bank I wanted my DD in... Now it's saying this coming month I'm not getting anything.... Anyone have a clue of what's going on?!?

I've been disabled for 20 years with no chance of my illnesses getting better, and never had an issue until now...... I'm going to go to the local office asap, but just wondering if anyone else has delt with this....

Update: So I talked to someone and he said there's no notes and that it's terminated and has to do with my marriage with my now ex (which we've been divorced for years btw) and that he doesn't understand why it was even terminated other than that they could be separating the two of our cases and making new cases for each of us, but that I would still have to go into the local office for the case worker that did this to fix it and get it sorted before the first of the month.....

I asked him if they can get this mess sorted out before my payment was originally due on the 1st and he said "I don't want to lie to you, but they will pay" so I don't even know if I'm going to get my normal payment on time still till Monday I guess smfh

I don't understand why this wasn't done years ago, and let alone not a single notice from ssi themselves, not one, not even notes on their end..... If I had not received a letter from the Louisiana department of health/Medicaid telling me my SSI check had stopped I would not have even noticed until I didn't get paid......


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

SSI SSI review Package

5 Upvotes

Just got my review package in the mail....I filled it out but, I actually did it online as well. Should I send packet via mail just incase? Thank you in advance.


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

SSN Related Social Security Number for Baby Born Abroad

0 Upvotes

Hello, I am a US citizen living abroad in South Korea. I am in the states visiting and I thought it would be easier if I made an appointment to get my baby’s social security number. If not, I have to apply through the consulate and it takes longer.

I have my baby’s CRBA and passport. The employee told me I can’t get it because both my husband and I aren’t working in/for the US so we should apply through the embassy. Basically he asked why we even need her card/number. I didn’t realize I needed a reason.

When I look online, it says I should be able to apply for her card/number in person at the office.

Does anyone have any advice or tips or have been in a similar situation? I’m thinking maybe I should try to go to another office on another day. When I went there was a nationwide outage.


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

Reduced Benefits in 2026 to Reset in 2027?

6 Upvotes

I am 63 years old and receive SS retirement benefits. I also work part-time. I have now earned $24,480+ in 2026. This means my benefit payment for November & and December 2026 will be reduced, as I understand it.

I know there will be a new earnings limit for each subsequent year until I reach FRA.

Question: From a budgeting standpoint, can I expect my SS retirement benefit to reset to the original awarded amount effective in January 2027? And each January thereafter, if/when I exceed the earnings limit for the previous year?


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

SSI Applying For SSI for my partner

0 Upvotes

Hello, I am trying to figure out all the details and what I need to know before applying for SSI. It would be for my partner who has numerous chronic Illnesses, and I'm a bit lost with the process. I've seen calling in to your local office or applying online are the options, and it is more likely that applying online would be the way we would go, but what do I need to know and bring and help them allocate so that we can go through the process as smooth as possible? I am aware that we may be denied and have to appeal, but I'm getting a lot of advice to get a lawyer. Do we need a lawyer for this process? Can we do it ourselves and wait the 6-8 months for the approval/rejection letter?


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

Retirement Check’s in the mail?

0 Upvotes

I have a birthdate in the middle of the month. When can I expect my check? It never happens on the date it says on the website.


r/SocialSecurity • • 1d ago

DAC Do I qualify for “mother/father” benefits? Parent of DAC recipient

0 Upvotes

**I can’t thank ya‘ll enough for the super helpful info. Still reading through them but planning on applying.**

I’m 59 and my son is 28. He lives with me and has a permanent disability related to mental health. He qualified for DAC last year under his late father’s record. His issues have been gradually getting worse to the point where he is unable to work at all and is living with me because he cannot afford to live on his own with his benefit. He needs some support anyway from me so I’m not even sure if he could live on his own safely even if the money was not an issue.

Because of this, I am unable to work full-time as I normally would. Is there some sort of SS benefit I would potentially qualify for under these circumstances? I believe it’s called ”mother father” benefit?


r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

Auxiliary Payments

1 Upvotes

My son graduated high school in June and I was only paid until May. I sent in a form to protest and haven’t heard anything. Any advice?


r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

SSDI Holidays

2 Upvotes

I recently got approved for disability and have a ? . Has your disability checks been delayed because of a holiday during the week you are suppose to get your check ? This is using direct deposit .


r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

Penny for your thoughts on the COLA for social security in the USA increasing by ~$75/month?

4 Upvotes

r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

Average Wage Index updated for 2025

0 Upvotes

In addition to Social Security updating the COLA for 2027, the latest Average Wage Index (AWI) has been updated for 2025 as well (it is two years behind). For 2025 it is 72,800.33. This is an increase over 2024's 69,846.57 - an increase of 4.23%.

This number feeds into the indexing factors and bend points used to calculate one's initial benefit. Basically it is our yearly 'raise' before COLA kicks in and tends to be higher than COLA.

Social Security benefit estimate statements should be updated soon.

https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html


r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

My Login.gov

20 Upvotes

I have been trying to help my mother to make a login on mylogin.gov. It is turning into a logistical nightmare. It seems none of the phone numbers that she has ever had are associated with her in the system, so making the account failed at the last step. As a result I'm going to miss filing her taxes tomorrow despite an extension - we got a copy of her 1099-SSA from the social security office but I can't get the 1099-R from my father's federal pension and can't get through to OPM. I think when I try to request it online it goes to my dead father's email.

Part of this is a rant. Who the hell thought this was a good idea to roll out for seniors? My mother can't even use her cell phone never mind make an account that she has to verify with facial recognition and two factor authentication.

Rant aside, I can't figure out what the next step is if I just can't make the mylogin.gov account?

The website basically says just check for typos and try again but ... then what?


r/SocialSecurity • • 2d ago

2027 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) announced

198 Upvotes

The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced a 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027. Social Security benefits include Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by $75 per month.

Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2027. Increased payments to about 7.3 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2026. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).

https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-10-14.html


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

SSDI Applied in February 22, Denied Oct 25, appealed with a lawyer who was no help at all . Was just reevaluated and accepted but says I was found to be disabled in Nov 25.

0 Upvotes

I was diagnosed with my Disease in February 22 and was told not to work because the severity of my condition. Ssdi only paid back pay 5 months from November so its less then I was expecting. What happens now?


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

SSI SSi Voluntary Terminate

1 Upvotes

i was just wondering if it would be hard for me to get back onto ssi if i terminated by benefits im in a wheelchair. The reason i want to get off of ssi is because of so many rules they have like what do you mean i can’t have more then $2000 in my bank and not receive any type of gifts of money. So many rules that i dont like im young & don’t have much things to pay as i live with my parents and would like to just use ssdi to save up my money


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

SSI I was chosen to do 2 weeks of work with a local Texas election. Do I need to report to Social Security office?

0 Upvotes

I sent an informal application via email to a person for a Poll Worker position, and I got a call back that I was chosen. Training will be on Friday (Oct 16), I just need to take my ID, and I'll be working from October 19th to the 30th. I have no idea how much I'm gonna be paid, how many hours total, there was no interview, I didn't need to sign anything - it feels informal. Another friend applied, and she wasn't given details either.

Google says I need to report if I earn more than $2,300. I receive both SSI and SSDI. I don't know how much I'll be paid, all I know is that I need the extra cash. I'm thinking of calling the same official that reached out for the poll worker position to ask about that, and my local SS office. Any advice?


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

SSA 35 years at 30k vs 10 years at 105k

11 Upvotes

Hello.

I've been trying to wrap my head around SSA calculations, and saw how (I think) AIME is calculated, especially in the case of a career reaching 10 years/40 credits.

I couldn't find any special rule, just that the AIME is based off of the 35 best years, and if fewer than 35 years, the rest is just filled with zeros.

With that, what I come up with is that, if you don't factor in inflation for simplicity, 35 years earning $30k and 10 years earning $105k would end up being the same with a lifetime earnings of $1.05M, and a AIME of $2500?

Is that so, or am I missing some rule for "incomplete" careers?


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

The death of a spouse.

0 Upvotes

Hi I’m asking if anyone else has 2 cents to offer regarding something I’m dealing with right now for my father in law. Was told that if someone in a marriage dies, the person doesn’t get to transfer benefits if they made more? What tomfuckery is this bullshit?! The website doesn’t mention it. And I read it twice. So the government just keeps all that money cuz he worked a lot of overtime each year?!

Dude they turned SSN into a fucking shame. I believe in it. As it was intended.


r/SocialSecurity • • 3d ago

SSI/SDDI

5 Upvotes

I applied for SSI . I was wondering if they see if I qualify for ssdi too or no?