What happened to the Social Security raise you were expecting
If you were expecting a larger Social Security payment in a particular month and it did not arrive, the delay usually comes from one of three sources: a processing error at Social Security, a hold placed on your account, or a misunderstanding about when the raise takes effect. Social Security does not always pay a raise in the month you think it will, and the agency sometimes needs extra time to process changes to your account. The good news is that delays are usually temporary, and you can find out the specific reason by contacting Social Security directly.
The most common cause is that Social Security is still verifying information about your account — your work history, your age, or changes in your household. This verification can take weeks. A second common cause is that you have an outstanding debt to Social Security, a federal agency, or a state government, and the agency has placed a hold on your payment while it investigates. A third cause is straightforward that the raise has not yet been programmed into the system, even though it has been approved.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security raises are usually delayed because the agency is verifying information on your account, not because the raise was denied.
- If you have an outstanding debt to any government agency, Social Security may hold your payment until the debt is resolved or a payment plan is set up.
- You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to find out why your raise was delayed and when you should expect the payment.
- If Social Security made an error, you can request a correction and ask for back pay dating to when the raise should have started.
How to find out why your payment is delayed
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative that you were expecting a raise and did not receive it. Have your Social Security number ready. The representative will look up your account and tell you whether the raise has been approved, whether it is being held for any reason, and when you should expect to see it in your bank account.
If you prefer not to call, you can create an account on ssa.gov and log into "my Social Security" to view your payment history and see whether a change to your benefit amount is pending. The online account will sometimes show a note explaining a delay, though not always. If the website does not explain the delay, a phone call is the fastest way to get an answer.
Delays caused by account verification
Social Security sometimes needs to verify that the information on your account is still correct before it processes a raise. This might happen if you recently reported a change — a new address, a change in your living situation, or a change in your work or income. The agency may also verify information if it has not heard from you in a long time, or if it received conflicting information from another government agency.
Verification usually takes two to four weeks, but can take longer if Social Security needs to contact you by mail or if your case is complex. During this time, your payment may be held or paid at the old amount. Once Social Security finishes verifying your information, it will process the raise and send you back pay for the months you were underpaid. Back pay is usually sent within one to two weeks after verification is complete.
Delays caused by debt or offset
If you owe money to the federal government — for example, unpaid federal income taxes, a federal student loan in default, or an overpayment of benefits from a past year — Social Security may hold your raise to collect the debt. This is called an offset. The same rule applies if you owe money to a state government, such as unpaid state income taxes or child support.
When an offset is in place, Social Security will send you a notice in the mail explaining what debt triggered the hold and how much will be taken from your payment each month. If you believe the debt is wrong, or if you want to set up a payment plan instead of having your benefit reduced, you can contact the agency that is collecting the debt. Social Security can also help you understand your options by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Delays caused by system processing time
Even when a raise has been approved and there are no holds on your account, Social Security sometimes needs extra time to update its computer system. This is especially common when many people are receiving a raise at the same time, such as during an annual cost-of-living adjustment. The delay is usually a few days to a week, but can occasionally stretch to two weeks.
If Social Security tells you that your raise has been approved but has not yet been processed into the system, ask the representative when you should expect to see the new amount. Write down the date you were given, and if the payment does not arrive by that date, call back and ask for a supervisor. Supervisors can sometimes speed up processing or authorize an emergency payment while the system catches up.
What to do if Social Security made an error
If Social Security admits that it made a mistake — for example, it calculated your raise incorrectly, or it failed to process a raise that was already approved — you have the right to ask for a correction and back pay. Back pay covers all the months from when the raise should have started until the month you received the corrected payment.
Ask the Social Security representative to put the error correction request in writing and to give you a case number. Keep this number for your records. Social Security is required to process error corrections within a certain timeframe, though the exact timeframe depends on the type of error. If you do not receive back pay within 30 days of being told about the correction, call back and reference your case number.
How to prevent delays in the future
Keep your Social Security account information current by reporting changes to Social Security as soon as they happen. If you move, change your phone number, or change your mailing address, report it to Social Security within 30 days. You can report changes by calling 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by updating your information in your "my Social Security" account online.
If you receive a notice from Social Security asking you to verify information or provide documents, respond within the timeframe given in the notice. Delays in responding can delay your raise. If you are unsure what information Social Security is asking for, call the number on the notice and ask for clarification before you respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get back pay if my raise was delayed?
Yes, if Social Security delayed your raise because of a processing error or because it was verifying your account, you should receive back pay for the months you were underpaid. Back pay is usually sent within one to two weeks after the delay is resolved. If you do not receive it, call Social Security and ask when to expect it.
What if I need the money before the delay is resolved?
Call Social Security and explain your situation. In some cases, a representative can authorize an emergency payment or advance while your account is being processed. This is not common, but it is worth asking about if you are facing a hardship.
How long does Social Security usually take to process a raise?
If there are no holds or verification issues on your account, Social Security usually processes a raise within one to two weeks. During busy periods, such as when a cost-of-living adjustment is happening, processing can take up to four weeks.
Do I need to do anything to get my raise, or does it happen automatically?
Most raises happen automatically once you reach the age or milestone that triggers them. However, some raises require you to report information to Social Security first, such as a change in your living situation or work status. Social Security will send you a notice if you need to report something.
What should I do if Social Security says my raise was denied?
Ask the representative to explain in writing why the raise was denied and what you would need to do to receive it. You have the right to request a reconsideration of the decision. The notice Social Security sends will explain how to request a reconsideration and the important date for doing so.