The Social Security Administration has confirmed the official SSDI payment schedule for November 2025. The timetable follows the standard birth-date-based payment cycle used for all beneficiaries who started receiving benefits after May 1997. This ensures every recipient has a clear expected date for their monthly deposit.
The agency has also confirmed the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which will raise payments beginning January 2026. This adjustment affects all SSDI, retirement and SSI payments. Beneficiaries can now prepare for both the November schedule and the upcoming increase.
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November 2025 SSDI Payment Schedule
SSDI beneficiaries paid under the post-May 1997 system receive payments depending on their birth-date range. Special groups such as pre-1997 beneficiaries and SSI recipients follow a separate cycle. The table below summarises all dates for November 2025.
| Category | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries or SSDI+SSI recipients | Monday, November 3, 2025 |
| Born 1st–10th | Wednesday, November 12, 2025 |
| Born 11th–20th | Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
| Born 21st–31st | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
| SSI recipients (early deposit) | Friday, October 31, 2025 |
Payments follow this schedule because November 1 falls on a weekend, requiring early issuance for SSI. SSDI payment dates remain unaffected as all scheduled payments fall on Wednesdays.
SSDI Benefit Amounts for 2025 and 2026
SSDI benefit amounts vary by individual earnings history and Social Security contributions. Each beneficiary has a unique payment figure based on work credits, taxed wages, and disability status. The agency uses the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula to calculate all monthly benefits.
In 2026, a 2.8% COLA will apply to all SSDI payments. This increase begins in January 2026 and is based on CPI-W inflation data measured by the SSA. With the adjustment, average monthly benefits across all Social Security programs will rise. For example, the average retired worker benefit will increase from about $2,015 to $2,071.
The SSA will send benefit-increase notices in December 2025 or upload them directly to each beneficiary’s “my Social Security” account. The COLA affects SSDI, retirement, survivors and SSI payments.
SSDI Eligibility Requirements
SSDI eligibility is based on two criteria: medical disability and work credits. A disability must be medically proven and expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. SSA requires medical reports, diagnostic results, and documented treatment history for all claims.
Applicants must also have enough work credits. The number of credits needed depends on age at the time the disability began. For most adults, at least 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years are required. Credits are earned through wages covered by Social Security tax.
In addition, the individual must be “insured” under Social Security, meaning they worked recently and contributed to FICA taxes. SSDI differs from SSI, which is a need-based program for individuals with low income and limited resources.
SSDI Application Process
The SSDI application requires medical evidence, personal information, and employment history. Applicants should collect medical records, physician statements, hospital summaries, and proof of work activity before filing. These documents help verify that the disability meets SSA standards.
An application can be submitted online, by phone, or at a local SSA office. The form requires details about past employment, treatment sources, medications, and daily functional limitations. SSA reviews both medical and administrative eligibility during the decision process.
If the application is approved, benefits begin following the standard payment schedule. If denied, the applicant may appeal through reconsideration, hearing, and review stages. Ongoing reporting is mandatory, including changes in work status, income, or health condition.
2026 COLA Update and Its Effect on SSDI
The SSA has officially announced a 2.8% COLA for 2026. This adjustment applies to SSDI, retirement, survivors, and SSI benefits. The increase is based on changes in the CPI-W inflation index between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025.
The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level will also rise in 2026. For non-blind workers, SGA increases from $1,620 per month in 2025 to $1,690 per month in 2026. This benchmark helps determine whether a person is performing a significant work activity.
Beneficiaries can check their updated benefit amounts in December 2025 through mailed notices or their online SSA account. The COLA will apply automatically to the January 2026 payment.