Good news for those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. It was recently announced that both benefits are scheduled to go up. The Social Security Administration announced that benefits for both programs will increase by 2.8 percent during the next year. The increase is thanks to an automatic cost of living adjustment that is based on inflation and mandated by law.
The nation’s 8 million recipients of Supplemental Security Income benefits and 62 million receiving Social Security benefits will receive the increase as of the last day of the year. For those receiving SSI benefits, their benefit amount is expected to increase from $750 to $771. The benefit amount for couples will increase from $1,125 to $1,157. The increase is higher than the increase recipients received last year.
Supplemental Security Income is an option for disabled individuals who may not qualify for Social Security disability benefits because they do not meet the work history requirement. Eligibility for Social Security disability benefits is based on the applicant’s medical condition which must be severe enough to cause them to be disabled and unable to work and must be expected to last 12 months or longer or result in death. Additionally, applicants must meet a work history requirement. Unlike SSD benefits, disabled individuals without the necessary work history may still qualify for SSI benefits.
Disabled individuals may be left facing many various challenges and not know what to do about even their daily needs. Both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security disability benefits are options that can help so it is important to understand how to qualify to receive these helpful benefits.