What the $56 increase is and who gets it

Some Social Security beneficiaries receive a $56 monthly increase through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate adjustment. This is not a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that applies to all beneficiaries — it is a separate payment that goes only to people who receive SSI, a needs-based program for adults 65 and older, blind individuals, and people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.

The $56 amount is the federal base payment, which means your actual increase may be different depending on your state. Some states add their own supplement on top of the federal amount, while others do not. The increase takes effect on the first day of the month after the Social Security Administration processes your case, which typically happens within one to two months of when you first meet the income and resource limits.

You do not need to do anything to receive this increase if you already receive SSI — the Social Security Administration handles it automatically once you become may be able to access. However, you must stay below the income and resource limits to keep receiving it, and those limits change each year.

Key Takeaways

  • The $56 monthly increase is part of the SSI federal benefit rate, not a COLA, and only goes to people who receive SSI benefits.
  • Your actual monthly increase may be higher or lower than $56 depending on whether your state adds a supplement to the federal amount.
  • SSI has strict income and resource limits — earning too much money or having too many assets can reduce or stop your payments.
  • The Social Security Administration processes SSI increases automatically once you meet the requirements, with no process needed if you already receive SSI.
  • If you think you may be may be able to access for SSI but do not currently receive it, you can contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to learn about the income and resource rules.

The difference between SSI and regular Social Security retirement benefits

SSI and Social Security retirement are two separate programs with different rules. Social Security retirement is based on your work history — the more you worked and paid into the system, the higher your benefit. SSI is based on financial need, not work history. You can receive both at the same time if you meet the requirements for each, but the programs calculate your payments differently.

The $56 increase applies only to SSI. If you receive only Social Security retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you would receive a COLA increase instead, which is announced each October and takes effect in January. The COLA amount changes every year based on inflation, while the SSI federal benefit rate is set by Congress and changes less frequently.

To know which program you receive, look at your Social Security statement or the letter you get each December showing your benefit amount. It will say "Supplemental Security Income" if you receive SSI, or "Social Security Retirement" or "Social Security Disability" if you receive one of those programs instead.

Income and resource limits that affect your SSI payments

SSI has strict limits on how much money you can earn and own. For 2024, the federal income limit is $1,943 per month for an individual (the limit is higher if you are married or have dependents). The resource limit — the total value of things you own like cash, bank accounts, and property — is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.

Not all income counts toward the limit. The first $65 of earned income each month does not count, and the next half of what you earn above that also does not count. Certain types of income, like food and shelter provided by someone else, may reduce your benefit but do not count as income in the same way. Unearned income like interest, pensions, or money from family members counts dollar-for-dollar toward your limit.

If your income or resources go over the limit, your SSI payment reduces or stops. You must report changes in income or resources to Social Security within 10 days. Many people lose SSI without realizing they have crossed the limit, so it is important to track your earnings and report them on time.

How to report income changes to Social Security

You can report income changes by phone, mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. The fastest way is usually to call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with someone about your SSI case. Have your Social Security number ready and be prepared to describe what changed — whether you started a job, received a bonus, got money from family, or had a change in living situation.

Social Security will ask you specific questions about the type of income, how much you earned, and when it started. Write down the date you call and the name of the person you spoke with, in case there is a question later about when you reported the change. If you miss the 10-day reporting window, Social Security may overpay you, and you will have to repay the extra money.

Some people use a representative payee — someone Social Security appoints to manage their benefits. If you have a representative payee, they may be responsible for reporting income changes, but you should confirm this with them and with Social Security to be sure.

State supplements and how they affect your total payment

Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., add their own money on top of the federal SSI benefit: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The amount varies by state and by your living situation — whether you live alone, with family, or in a group home.

If you live in one of these states, your total SSI payment is the federal amount plus the state supplement. If your state increases its supplement, you would receive that increase on top of any federal increase. If you move to a different state, your payment amount may change because the new state may have a different supplement or no supplement at all.

To find out what your state supplement is, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also look up your state's current rates on the Social Security Administration website, though the rates change each year so you should verify the current amount with Social Security directly.

When the increase takes effect and how to check your payment

If you are newly may be able to access for SSI, the increase takes effect on the first day of the month after Social Security approves your case. Processing times vary, but most cases are decided within one to two months. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining your benefit amount and when payments begin.

If you already receive SSI, any increase to the federal benefit rate happens automatically — you do not need to do anything. The increase appears in your next payment after Social Security processes the change. Check your payment by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling 1-800-772-1213, or looking at your bank deposit if you have direct deposit set up.

Keep your contact information current with Social Security so you receive notices about changes to your benefits. If you move, change your phone number, or change your mailing address, call Social Security or visit your local office to update your file. Missing a notice can mean you miss important important date or do not know about changes that affect your payment.

What happens if you work while receiving SSI

You can work and receive SSI at the same time, but your benefit will reduce as your earnings increase. The first $65 of monthly earnings and half of the amount above that do not count toward your income limit, which means you can earn some money without losing your entire benefit. However, once your earnings get high enough, your SSI payment will stop.

If you are thinking about starting work, contact Social Security before you begin. They can explain exactly how your earnings will affect your benefit and help you plan so you do not accidentally lose your SSI. Some people may have access to for work incentives that let them earn more money while keeping some or all of their benefits, but you have to ask about these programs — Social Security does not always mention them automatically.

Keep careful records of your hours and pay. Report your earnings to Social Security each month, even if the amount is small. Many people lose SSI because they did not report earnings on time, not because they earned too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get the $56 increase if I receive Social Security retirement or disability?

No. The $56 increase applies only to SSI. If you receive Social Security retirement or SSDI, you receive a COLA increase instead, which is announced in October and takes effect in January. The COLA amount is different each year and is based on inflation.

What if I live in a state that adds a supplement?

Your total payment is the federal $56 increase plus your state's supplement increase. The state amount varies by state and by your living situation. Contact your local Social Security office to find out what your state's supplement is and how much it increased.

Can I lose SSI if I inherit money or receive a gift?

Yes, if the money puts you over the $2,000 resource limit for an individual. However, some types of gifts and inheritances have special rules. Contact Social Security before you accept money to understand how it will affect your benefits — some funds can be excluded or spent down without losing SSI.

How do I know if I am may be able to access for SSI?

You must be 65 or older, blind, or have a disability that prevents you from working. You must also have limited income and resources. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your situation and learn whether you may be may be able to access.

What if Social Security overpaid me because I did not report income on time?

Social Security will ask you to repay the overpayment. You can request a waiver if you did not cause the overpayment and repaying would cause you hardship, but you must request this in writing. Contact your local Social Security office to discuss your options.