Ask Larry

Will The Government Raise My Benefit To Above Poverty Level In Addition To The COLA?

I only draw $755 soc.sec.wil the gov. raise that to above povery level besides the COLA or willI only get COLA raise

Hi. You'll only get the cost of living (COLA) increase. Social Security benefits are calculated based on the worker's Social Security covered earnings history. Social Security benefits are not needs based, so the poverty level has no bearing on the amount of a person's benefit.

Social Security does administer a separate needs-based benefit, though, which is called Supplemental Security Income, or SSI (https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/). You may want to look into applying for SSI to see if you're eligible.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Dec 14 2021 - 12:19pm
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