$600 COLA Increase to be Received in April 2025: Is this Truth?

On: Monday, April 21, 2025 6:31 AM

Friends, if you are dependent on government schemes like Social Security, SSI, SSDI or Veterans Affairs (VA), then there is a good news for you. In April 2025, you will get to see a slight increase in your monthly pension or assistance amount. Headlines like “$600 COLA Increase” are running in many newspapers and news websites, due to which the question is arising in the minds of the people whether they will get a bonus of $ 600 at once? Or will this increase be every month?

Let us understand this whole matter in this article in easy and detailed way.

What is COLA and Why is it So Important?

The full name of COLA is “Cost-of-Living Adjustment”, that is, change in government assistance amount according to the increase in the cost of living. Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) of America decides whether the amount of schemes like Social Security should be increased according to inflation or not.

Suppose that this year essential expenses like groceries, electricity, water, medicines and rent have increased by 3%, then the government also wants that the income of those who are dependent on government assistance should also increase accordingly so that they can live a normal life. This process is called COLA.

How Much Has COLA Increased in 2025?

The rate of COLA in 2025 is 2.5%. That is, if a retired person was getting a pension of $1,927 every month, then now he will get about $49-$50 more every month. This increase in a year is equal to about $600.

Now you must have understood that this “$600 COLA Increase” is not a one-time bonus, but it is an annual addition that gets added little by little to the amount every month.

Who Will Get This Increase?

If you are a beneficiary of any of the schemes given below, then you will get this increase:

Social Security (Retirement benefits)
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
VA Benefits (Veterans Affairs schemes)

And the special thing is that you do not need to fill any form or apply for this. This increase will automatically come to your account.

How Much Money Has Increased in Different Schemes?

1. Retired Workers (Social Security)

Earlier the average pension was: $1,927 per month
Now the new amount: about $1,976 per month
Total annual increase: about $600

If your pension is less or more, then the increase will also be less or more accordingly.

2. SSI Beneficiaries

For a single person: Increased from $914 to $967 per month
For a couple: Increased from $1,371 to $1,450 per month
For “Essential person”: Increased from $458 to $484 per month

You have started getting this increased amount from 31 December 2024.

3. SSDI Beneficiaries

Earlier the average pension was: $1,200 per month
Now the new amount: $1,230 per month
Total annual increase: About $360

4. VA Beneficiaries

The same 2.5% increase has been made in VA schemes as well. This includes:

VA disability benefits
VA pensions
DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation)

And yes, here too this increase has been implemented automatically, you do not have to do any separate process.

When Will You Get Your Money? April 2025 Payment Dates

If you are receiving Social Security or SSDI, your payment is based on your birth date:

1 to 10 years of birth: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
11 to 20 years of birth: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
21 to 31 years of birth: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

On the other hand, SSI payments are due on the first of every month. In April 2025, they were due on Tuesday, April 1.

How to Find Out How Much You Got Increased?

If you want to know how much your assistance amount has increased, follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Log in to your “my Social Security” account

Here you will find your new amount and complete details.

Step 2: Check your COLA notice

Every year in December, SSA sends a letter to your home, which tells you how much your assistance amount will increase next year.

Step 3: Check your bank account

If your pension comes directly to your bank, check your bank statement or mobile app to see if the new amount has arrived.

Tips for Budget Planning: How to Use This Increased Money Properly?

Having more money is a good thing, but using it properly is even more important. Here are some easy tips:

Prioritize the essentials: Such as expenses like groceries, medicines, electricity and water.
Save little by little: If you can save even $10 every month, it can become $120 in a year.
Check unnecessary expenses: Are there any old subscriptions or unnecessary services running?
Keep an eye on inflation: If milk, medicines or gas are getting expensive, adjust your expenses accordingly.

What Was the COLA in Previous Years?

It’s also important to know how much the COLA changes from year to year:

2023: 8.7% (highest in 40 years)
2024: 3.2%
2025: 2.5%

It’s clear that inflation is now slowly decreasing. This is a sign of economic stability, which can be beneficial in the long term.

Some Important FAQs

Q1: Will the $600 COLA increase be given all at once?

No. This is an annual increase that adds up to about $50 every month.

Q2: Who will get this increase?

People who are receiving Social Security, SSDI, SSI or VA benefits — everyone will get this increase.

Q3: Will the COLA increase also increase Medicare premiums?

Sometimes yes. If your income is above a certain limit, the premium for Medicare Part B may increase.

Q4: How is COLA determined?

It is determined based on the third quarter data of the CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Q5: Can COLA be reduced or canceled in the future?

The increase you are getting now is permanent unless the government makes a new rule.

Conclusion

So friends, the news of “$600 COLA Increase” you are getting in April 2025 is actually a one-year increase, not a one-time bonus. This increased amount is added to your pension or assistance amount every month, so that you can meet your expenses even while battling inflation.

This initiative of the government has brought relief to millions of Americans — especially those who are retired, disabled, or former military.

If you still have questions or want to know how much your plan increased, visit the SSA website (ssa.gov/cola) or check your bank statements.