Скачать или смотреть Social Security COLA Increase and Improved Customer Service Announced for 2024.

🧾 1. Annual Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment (COLA)
In 2025, both Social Security and SSI benefits increased by 2.5 percent, providing vital inflation relief. That translated to:

SSI maximum monthly payments: $967 per individual, $1,450 per couple.
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Average retirement benefit rose roughly from $1,927 to about $1,976 per month.
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2. Social Security Fairness Act
Signed into law January 5, 2025, this act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—which previously reduced benefits for many public-sector retirees.

Approximately 3 million people—especially lower-income teachers, police, firefighters, and other public workers—will now receive larger benefits or begin receiving them for the first time.
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The SSA is actively processing automated claims; about 900,000 are still pending manually. Though expected to finish by July 1, 2025, this has caused some administrative delays, such as updating bank or address changes.
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3. SSI Rule Change on Food Assistance
As of September 30, 2024, non-cash food support (like Meals on Wheels or food at weddings) is no longer counted against SSI eligibility.

This ensures better access to nutritious food for low-income and disabled recipients.
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4. State Supplementation Programs (SSP)
Most states offer an additional monthly top-up to federal SSI, ranging from $10–$400 depending on your state and living situation.

In some states (e.g., California), that can increase total monthly SSI to over $1,200 for individuals.
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📉 5. Watch for Potential Benefit Cut Proposals
There are active congressional discussions about raising the Social Security full retirement age or introducing means-testing. Such changes could affect future eligibility or benefit amounts—especially for low- and moderate-income individuals.
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A recent House budget proposal includes some benefit cuts (~$37 billion over 10 years), though it's still under review.
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✅ What You Can Do
Action Benefit
Check your SSI status online Ensure you're receiving increased COLA and check for SSP eligibility
Ask about WEP/GPO repeal If you worked as a public employee, you may be due a substantial benefit increase or backpay
Verify help with food assistance reporting You shouldn’t lose benefits over receiving free food
Keep personal info updated Especially address and bank details—to avoid delays from backlog
Stay tuned to Congress Future policy changes may affect benefits—advocacy matters

Final Takeaway
Low-income Social Security recipients already benefit from the 2025 COLA, SSI food assistance rules, and SSI/SSP state supplements. Additionally, popular legislation like the Fairness Act is delivering meaningful help to millions of underpaid public servants. Keep your personal information current and track both administration processing delays and any new legislative proposals that might influence your benefits.