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 3.2 % for 2024.
The Social Security benefit increase is 8.7 % for 2023.
The Medicare Part B premium amount is $174.70 for 2024.
The Medicare Part B premium amount is $164.90 for 2023.
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 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2020
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
Primary |
$686.00 |
$686.70 |
Primary and one dependent |
$1030.00 |
$1030.80 |
Primary and two dependents |
$1,201.00 |
$1,201.80 |
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,373.00 |
$1,373.40 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2019
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
Primary |
$660.00 |
$660.10 |
Primary and one dependent |
$990.00 |
$990.10 |
Primary and two dependents |
$1,155.00 |
$1,155.10 |
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,320.00 |
$1,320.10 |
Black Lung benefits rate for 2018
Beneficiary type |
Payment received around the 3rd of each month |
Payment received around the 15th of each month |
Primary |
$660.00 |
$660.10 |
Primary and one dependent |
$990.00 |
$990.10 |
Primary and two dependents |
$1,155.00 |
$1,155.10 |
Primary and three or more dependents |
$1,320.00 |
$1,320.10 |
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 Veterans Affairs benefit increase was 1.6% for 2020.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase was 2.8% for 2019.
The Veterans Affairs benefit increase was 2.0% for 2018.
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 Railroad Retirement benefit increase was 1.6% for Tier 1 and 0.5% for Tier 2 for 2020.
The Railroad Retirement benefit increase was 2.8% for Tier 1 and 0.9% for Tier 2 for 2019.
The Railroad Retirement
benefit increases were 2.0%
for Tier 1 and 0.7% for Tier 2 for 2018.
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 February 7, 2024, Replacing January 17, 2024