Good news for millions of Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)! The April 2025 checks come with a little more money, thanks to the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This annual adjustment is meant to help people keep up with inflation, and this year, it’s already making a difference.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about these bigger payments in simple language.
Social Security Disability Payments Increase in April 2025
What Is the COLA and Why It Matters
Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes changes to benefit payments based on inflation. This is called the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA.
In 2025, the COLA increase is 2.5% — which means SSDI recipients are getting a raise to help offset the rising cost of groceries, gas, rent, and other essentials.
How Much More Will You Get in April 2025?
Thanks to the COLA increase:
The average SSDI check is going up from $1,542 to about $1,580, an increase of $38 per month.
A disabled worker with a spouse and children may see their benefit rise from $2,757 to $2,826, which is $69 more per month.
This means hundreds of extra dollars over the course of the year — a welcome change for many families.
When Will You Get Your SSDI Check in April 2025?
SSDI payments are made on a schedule based on your birthday:
April 9, 2025 – If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th.
April 16, 2025 – If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th.
April 23, 2025 – If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st.
If you started receiving benefits before May 1997, you’ll get your payment on April 3, 2025.
No Need to Apply — It’s Automatic
Worried about filling out forms to get the extra money? Don’t be!
The COLA increase is applied automatically to your benefits. If you’re already receiving SSDI, the updated amount will be included in your April 2025 check with no extra steps needed from you.
New Laws Mean Even Bigger Benefits for Some
In addition to the COLA, the Social Security Fairness Act has eliminated two rules that reduced benefits for many people:
Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
Government Pension Offset (GPO)
Thanks to these changes:
People affected by WEP may see $360 more per month.
Spouses affected by GPO could receive $700 more.
Some surviving spouses may get up to $1,190 more.
If you were affected by these rules before, your April 2025 payment may be much higher.
Use the Extra Income Wisely
A few smart ideas for using your higher SSDI payments:
Catch up on bills or credit cards
Build a small emergency savings fund
Cover rising utility, rent, or grocery costs
Invest in better healthcare or accessibility tools
Every dollar counts, so planning ahead can help you stretch your benefits further.
How to Get Help If You Have Questions
If you’re unsure about how much you’ll receive or want to double-check your payment schedule:
Visit the SSA website
Call 1-800-772-1213
Or visit your local Social Security office
They can help you with personalized answers and up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How do I know if I’m getting the COLA increase?
A: If you’re already receiving SSDI benefits, the COLA increase is automatic. You don’t have to do anything—it’ll be reflected in your April 2025 check.
Q2: How much will my SSDI check increase?
A: On average, individual SSDI recipients will get about $38 more per month, and families may get $69 more, depending on your situation.
Q3: When exactly will I get my payment?
A: It depends on your birthday. Payments go out on April 3, 9, 16, or 23, depending on when you were born or when you first started receiving benefits.
Q4: What if I was affected by WEP or GPO rules?
A: Thanks to the repeal of these rules, you could see a major increase in your monthly benefit—up to hundreds of dollars. The SSA will apply these changes automatically.
Q5: Do I need to reapply to receive the higher payment?
A: No. If you’re already receiving SSDI, all increases are applied automatically by the SSA.