SSI January 2026 Payment What You Will Get With 2.8% COLA

SSI January 2026 Payment: Quick Overview

The 2.8% COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) raises monthly SSI benefits for January 2026. How much you actually receive depends on the federal benefit rate, any state supplement, and your countable income.

This article explains how to estimate your new payment, shows quick calculations, and gives a short real-world example.

How the 2.8% COLA Affects SSI January 2026 Payment

SSA increases benefits by the COLA percentage. For SSI recipients that means the federal benefit rate (FBR) is multiplied by 1.028.

State supplements, countable income, and living arrangements still change the final check. Use the FBR increase as the starting point for your estimate.

Step-by-step: Calculate your new SSI amount

• Find the current monthly SSI amount you receive now.
• Multiply that amount by 1.028 to apply the 2.8% COLA.
• Subtract any change in countable income (wages, unearned income, some pensions).
• Add any state supplement if applicable.
• Round as needed and check SSA notices for the official figure in December 2025.

Formula

New SSI estimate = Current SSI × 1.028 − Change in countable income + State supplement (if any).

Example Calculations With Typical Federal Benefit Rates

To make this concrete, here are simple calculations using common federal benefit rates as a baseline.

• Individual FBR example: $914 × 1.028 = $939.59 (about $940)
• Couple FBR example: $1,371 × 1.028 = $1,409.19 (about $1,409)

These are approximations. SSA publishes the official FBRs for 2026 in its December notice, and many states have supplements on top of the federal amount.

How other income affects your SSI January 2026 Payment

If you also receive Social Security or have other countable income, your SSI is reduced dollar-for-dollar by income that SSA counts. The COLA increases all benefits subject to the adjustment, so Social Security benefits usually rise by the same percentage.

Example: If your Social Security retirement payment is $600 and the FBR becomes $940, the SSI portion would be roughly $340 (before considering other counts or state supplements).

Practical Checklist to Estimate Your January 2026 Payment

• Get your current monthly SSI amount from your SSA statement or bank deposit history.
• Apply 1.028 to that amount for a quick estimate of the COLA effect.
• List countable income (earnings, unearned income, in-kind support) and subtract it.
• Check whether your state pays a supplement and how much it is.
• Expect SSA to send a formal notice in December 2025 with the exact amount and payment date.

Short Case Study: Maria’s January 2026 SSI Payment

Maria is a single SSI recipient who currently gets $914 per month. She has no other countable income and does not receive a state supplement.

Applying the 2.8% COLA: $914 × 1.028 = $939.59. Maria can expect approximately $940 in January 2026 before SSA issues the formal amount.

If Maria also had $200 in monthly countable income, the calculation would be: $940 − $200 = $740 approximate SSI payment.

Common Questions About SSI January 2026 Payment

Will everyone get exactly 2.8% more?

All federal SSI benefits are adjusted by the COLA percentage. However, a recipient’s final check can change more or less depending on income changes and state supplements.

When will SSA announce the official amounts?

SSA usually announces the official COLA and new benefit rates in October or December. Watch for mailed notices and updates at ssa.gov for the confirmed January 2026 amount.

What to Do Now

Start with your current SSI statement. Use the simple multiplication (×1.028) to get a quick ballpark. If you have other income or live in a state with a supplement, include those numbers for a more accurate estimate.

If you rely on SSI for budgeting, plan for a modest increase but wait for SSA’s official notice before making major changes.

Resources

• Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — check your My Social Security account for official statements.
• Contact your local SSA office or call the SSA helpline if you have questions about countable income or supplements.