Based on COLA, SSI benefits will rise in 2019

On Behalf of | Oct 18, 2018 | Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a useful and essential program for New Jersey residents and people across the nation who are 65 and older, are disabled or blind. There are certain other criteria that must be met for the person to be approved for SSI-related benefits. Once the application has been approved and SSI benefits are being provided, the economy and its current state should be watched to ensure that the benefits are sufficient for the recipient to make ends meet. As with any issue related to SSI, blind or disabled individuals should have assistance from a qualified Social Security Disability attorney.

With fluctuations, the Social Security Administration (SSA) addresses these financial issues by providing periodic increases in how much SSI provides. This is known as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). For 2019, the SSA will raise the payments by 2.8 percent. There is an automatic mechanism that increases what recipients of benefits will get. It is the law. For the approximately 8 million people in the U.S. who are getting SSI, this will be a useful raise in their benefits amount.

Currently, those getting the maximum in SSI benefits are receiving $750 per month. For couples who get SSI, it is $1,125. In 2019, that will increase to $771 per month for individuals, and $1,157 per month for couples. In 2018, the increase was 2 percent. This raise is the highest SSI recipients have gotten since 2012. That year, the COLA increase was 3.6 percent.

COLA is a relatively straightforward issue for people who are seeking or already getting SSI benefits. However, problems and concerns can come up at any point in the process from seeking benefits to receiving benefits. People could face questions as to whether the benefits are still necessary, they might be accused of having too many resources to get SSI or their medical condition could be labeled as having improved sufficiently to stop benefits. There are many issues that can come up. For questions and assistance with any area of Supplemental Security Income — including COLA — a law firm that specializes in SSI can help.

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