No extra one-time payments to SSDI in 2024

Social Security is not sending extra lump-sum payments to people on SSDI this year. You may have seen posts online about a "bonus" or "extra check" — these are usually old information about payments from 2023 or earlier, or they are scams designed to get your personal information.

What you do receive is your regular monthly SSDI payment, which may have increased in January 2024 because of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). That increase is automatic and built into your regular check — it is not a separate payment. If you received a notice from Social Security in the mail about a change to your payment amount, that notice is real and came from Social Security directly. If you received a message through email, text, or a phone call claiming you have unclaimed money or a bonus waiting, that is almost certainly a scam.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security does not send extra lump-sum payments to SSDI recipients in 2024 outside of the regular monthly benefit.
  • Your January 2024 payment may have been higher than 2023 because of the annual COLA increase, which is automatic and not a separate bonus.
  • Scammers often pose as Social Security and claim you have unclaimed money or a special payment waiting — Social Security never contacts you this way first.
  • If you received a paper notice from Social Security about a payment change, that is legitimate; if you received a call, email, or text claiming a bonus, report it to the Office of Inspector General.

What the 2024 COLA increase means for your check

In October 2023, Social Security announced a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment for 2024. This means your January 2024 payment was 3.2% higher than your December 2023 payment. The increase is permanent — your new amount is your baseline going forward, not a one-time bonus.

The exact dollar amount of your increase depends on what you were receiving before. Someone getting $1,200 per month would have seen an increase of about $38. Someone getting $1,500 would have seen about $48 more. Social Security sent notices in December 2023 telling you what your new amount would be starting in January. If you did not receive a notice and your payment amount changed, you can log into your my Social Security account online to see your current payment amount and review your payment history. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your specific amount.

How to spot a Social Security scam

Scammers frequently impersonate Social Security to steal personal information or money. Social Security will not call, text, or email you first about a payment, bonus, or account problem. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Social Security and you did not call them, it is a scam. Real Social Security business does not involve pressure to act fast, threats that your account will be suspended, or requests for you to confirm your Social Security number, date of birth, or address over the phone or email.

Watch for these specific red flags: requests for payment to receive benefits or fix an account problem; links in emails or texts claiming to be from Social Security with prompts to "verify your account" or "claim your payment"; and messages using words like "urgent," "act now," or "before it's too late." If you receive an email or text with a suspicious link, do not click it. Go directly to ssa.gov instead.

What to do if you think you have been contacted by a scammer

If you received a call, email, text, or letter that claims to be from Social Security but feels suspicious, do not respond to it or click any links. Do not give out any personal information. Report the scam to the Social Security Office of Inspector General by going to oig.ssa.gov and clicking "Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse," or by calling 1-800-269-0271. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If you are unsure whether a notice you received is real, call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213. Use the phone number on your Social Security card or on ssa.gov — do not use a number from the suspicious message. Ask them to confirm whether they sent the notice. This is the safest way to verify anything claiming to come from Social Security.

How to check your actual SSDI payment information

The safest way to see your real payment amount and payment history is through your my Social Security account. You can create one at ssa.gov if you do not already have one. Once you are logged in, you can see your current monthly payment amount, your payment history, and any notices Social Security has sent you. You will need to verify your identity to create or access your account using a third-party service called ID.me, which accepts your state ID, passport, military ID, or security questions about your credit history.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak to someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number ready. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or later in the afternoon on weekdays. A representative can tell you your current payment amount, explain any changes, and answer questions about your account.

Why you might see posts about "extra money" online

Posts about Social Security bonuses or extra payments spread quickly on social media, especially on Facebook. Most of these posts are recycled information from previous years — for example, posts about the 2023 COLA increase sometimes get shared again in 2024 with the year changed. Some posts are deliberately misleading and designed to get you to click a link or call a number that leads to a scammer, not to Social Security.

If you see a post claiming Social Security is sending extra money, check the date it was posted and look for official confirmation on ssa.gov. If you cannot find it on the official Social Security website, it is not real. Be especially skeptical of posts that use words like "urgent," "act now," or "before it's too late" — these are common scam tactics designed to make you panic and act without thinking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Social Security send extra payments in 2023 that I might have missed?

Social Security did not send extra lump-sum payments in 2023. The only change to payments in 2023 was the 8.7% COLA increase that took effect in January. If you were receiving SSDI in January 2023, that increase was automatically added to your regular monthly payment.

What if I see a payment in my bank account that I do not recognize?

Log into your my Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about it. If it is a legitimate Social Security payment, it will show up in your payment history. If you cannot find it there and you did not authorize it, contact your bank when ready — it may be fraud.

Can I get a one-time payment if I am behind on bills?

Social Security does not have a program that sends extra one-time payments for financial hardship. However, you may be able to get help through other programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program) for utilities or local emergency information programs. Call 211 to find programs in your area.

Is there a way to get my SSDI payment early?

No. Your payment is scheduled for a specific day each month based on your birth date. Social Security cannot move your payment date up. If you need money before your next payment, contact a local food bank, utility information program, or emergency information program through 211.

What should I do if Social Security says I owe money back?

If you receive a notice that Social Security says you were overpaid, that is a real notice and you should respond to it. Do not ignore it. You can request a hearing to dispute the overpayment, or you can ask Social Security about a repayment plan. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your options.