What the October 24 delay means for your benefits

The Social Security Administration announced that a government shutdown delayed the release of the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) update until October 24. COLA is the yearly increase to benefit amounts that accounts for inflation. In a normal year, this announcement comes in mid-October; the shutdown pushed it back by about a week.

If you receive Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits, your payment amount does not change on October 24 itself. The new payment amount takes effect in January, when benefits are recalculated for the year ahead. The October announcement straightforward tells you what that January increase will be, so you can plan your budget accordingly.

During a shutdown, the Social Security Administration continues to pay benefits on schedule — that part does not stop. What stops is the public announcement of the COLA figure and the agency's ability to answer questions about it. Field offices close, phone lines go unanswered, and online services may be limited.

Key Takeaways

  • The COLA announcement was delayed from mid-October to October 24 due to the government shutdown, but your January benefit increase is not affected by the delay.
  • Social Security continues to send out payments during a shutdown; only the announcement of the new COLA percentage is delayed.
  • You can find the COLA figure on the Social Security Administration website once it is released, or wait for your benefit statement in December to see your new January amount.
  • If you need to contact Social Security during a shutdown, in-person field offices and phone lines are closed, but you can create or log into your my Social Security account online to view your benefit information.

How COLA is calculated and when it takes effect

COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), a measure of inflation published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Social Security Administration compares the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year to the same three months of the previous year. If inflation occurred, benefits increase by that percentage in January.

The increase applies to all benefit types: retirement benefits, survivor benefits paid to family members of deceased workers, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people with disabilities or limited income. The new amount appears in your first payment of January and continues through the rest of the year until the next COLA announcement.

If there is no inflation — or if inflation is negative — COLA can be zero or result in no increase. This has happened in recent years; for example, there was no COLA increase in 2010, 2011, or 2016. The announcement tells you whether an increase is coming and by how much.

What happens to your benefits during the shutdown

Social Security benefit payments continue on their regular schedule during a government shutdown. If your payment is due on the 3rd of the month, you receive it on the 3rd. Direct deposit goes through as normal. The shutdown does not interrupt the flow of money to your bank account.

What does stop is the Social Security Administration's ability to process new claims, answer phone calls, or provide in-person service at field offices. If you were planning to explore for benefits, report a change in your situation, or speak with someone about your account, those services are unavailable until the shutdown ends and the agency reopens.

Online services through my Social Security — the agency's account portal — may remain available during a shutdown, though some features can be limited. You can log in to view your benefit amount, earnings record, and payment history without contacting the agency directly.

How to find your COLA increase once it is announced

After October 24, the Social Security Administration publishes the COLA percentage on its official website at ssa.gov. You can search for "COLA" or look for a press release in the news section. The announcement includes the percentage increase and explains how it was calculated.

You do not need to do anything to receive the increase. It is applied automatically in January. Your benefit statement, which arrives in December, will show your new payment amount starting in January. If you have a my Social Security account, you can log in to see your updated benefit estimate.

If you want to know the exact dollar amount of your increase before January, you can call the Social Security Administration once the shutdown ends and the agency reopens. Phone lines are 1-800-772-1213. Wait times are often long, especially in the weeks after a shutdown ends, so consider using the online portal first if you only need to view your current benefit amount.

What to do if you need to contact Social Security during a shutdown

During a shutdown, the Social Security Administration's phone lines and field offices are closed. You cannot reach a representative by phone or visit an office in person. If your situation is urgent — for example, you need to report a death, a change in living situation, or a lost payment — you have limited options.

The my Social Security online account portal may remain open. You can log in to view your information, but you cannot submit new claims or report changes through the portal during a shutdown. Some services, like changing your address or phone number, may be available; others are not.

If you cannot wait until the shutdown ends, contact your local congressional representative's office. Many representatives have constituent services staff who can reach the Social Security Administration on your behalf for urgent matters. This is not a fast process, but it is one way to flag a critical issue when the agency is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Social Security payment be late because of the shutdown?

No. Social Security payments continue on schedule during a government shutdown. Your payment will arrive on your regular payment date, whether that is the 3rd, 4th, or another day of the month. Direct deposit is not affected.

Does the delayed COLA announcement mean my January increase is smaller?

No. The delay in announcing the COLA figure does not change the calculation or the amount of your increase. COLA is based on inflation data from July through September; the announcement date does not affect that calculation. Your January increase will be the same whether it is announced on October 15 or October 24.

Can I explore for Social Security benefits during a shutdown?

You cannot explore in person or by phone during a shutdown. Some online process options may be available through ssa.gov, but the Social Security Administration cannot process new claims while offices are closed. If you need to explore, you may have to wait until the shutdown ends.

How do I know if my COLA increase was applied in January?

Your January benefit payment will reflect the increase automatically. You can check your my Social Security account online to view your updated benefit amount, or wait for your benefit statement in December, which will show your new payment starting in January. If the amount looks wrong, contact the Social Security Administration once the shutdown ends.

What if I missed the COLA announcement date?

You do not need to act on the announcement. The increase is applied automatically in January regardless of whether you saw the announcement. If you want to know the percentage increase, you can find it on the Social Security Administration website or call 1-800-772-1213 after the shutdown ends.