The CAO must consider any cost of living adjustment (COLA) when deciding on an individual’s eligibility. (See Section 372.3, Federal Benefit Changes).
The Social Security benefit increase is 2.5% for 2025.
The Social Security benefit increase is 3.2% for 2024.
The Medicare Part B premium amount is $185.00 for 2025.
The Medicare Part B premium amount is $174.70 for 2024.
Black Lung benefits rate for 2025
|
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
|
Primary |
$785.00 |
$785.70 |
|
Primary and one dependent |
$1,178.00 |
$1,178.60 |
|
Primary and two dependents |
$1,375.00 |
$1,375.00 |
|
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,571.00 |
$1,571.40 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2024
|
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
|
Primary |
$772.00 |
$772.60 |
|
Primary and one dependent |
$1,158.00 |
$1,158.90 |
|
Primary and two dependents |
$1,352.00 |
$1,352.00 |
|
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,545.00 |
$1,545.20 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2023
|
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
|
Primary |
$737.00 |
$737.90 |
|
Primary and one dependent |
$1,106.00 |
$1,106.30 |
|
Primary and two dependents |
$1,291.00 |
$1,291.30 |
|
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,475.00 |
$1,475.80 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2022
|
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
|
Primary |
$708.00 |
$708.90 |
|
Primary and one dependent |
$1,063.00 |
$1,063.30 |
|
Primary and two dependents |
$1,240.00 |
$1,240.50 |
|
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,417.00 |
$1,417.70 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2021
|
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
|
Primary |
$693.00 |
$693.60 |
|
Primary and one dependent |
$1,040.00 |
$1,040.40 |
|
Primary and two dependents |
$1,213.00 |
$1,213.80 |
|
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,387.00 |
$1,387.20 |
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase is 0% for 2025.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase is 3.2% for 2024.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase is 8.7% for 2023.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase is 5.9% for 2022.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase was 1.3% for 2021.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase is 2.5% for Tier 1 and 0.8% for Tier 2 for 2025.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase is 3.2% for Tier 1 and 1.0% for Tier 2 for 2024.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase is 8.7% for Tier 1 and 2.8% for Tier 2 for 2023.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase is 5.9% for Tier 1 and 1.9% for Tier 2 for 2022.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase was 1.3% for Tier 1 and 0.4% for Tier 2 for 2021.
The individual must show proof of VA, Black Lung, and Railroad Retirement benefit amounts.
If the individual becomes ineligible because of a COLA, the CAO will decide on his or her eligibility for benefits under other programs.
An individual who becomes ineligible for SSI because of a COLA is eligible for Nonmoney Payment (NMP). (See Section 387.6, Extended NMP—Special Situations).
Updated January 23, 2025, Replacing February 7, 2024