Information about the 2009 COLA Adjustments for SSDI

Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) performs a cost of living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to ensure that beneficiaries and their dependents are receiving a fair income.  SSA COLAs came into being in 1973 when legislation was passed to make sure that benefits kept place with inflation.

The COLA is linked to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2007 through the third quarter of 2008.  If there is no increase in the CPI-W, then there is no COLA increase.  The reasoning is that if the cost of living hasn’t gone up, beneficiaries do not need additional monthly income.

There is some concern that the CPI-W for the current year will go down or stay the same because of the country’s economic woes, which would affect SSA COLA for 2010.  However, this year the COLA did increase for SSDI benefits, and is up by 5.8%.

A disabled worker, spouse and one or more children would have received $1,695 a month before the COLA adjustment, but now will receive $1,793.  All other disabled workers would have received $1,006 a month before COLA, but instead will receive $1,064.

If you need help with your SSDI claim, please contact the experienced New York Social Security disability attorneys at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. at (914) 946-1452 or (866) 205-2415.