of Social Security Administration (SSA) This section focuses on the widespread misinformation that Social Security benefits will be increased by $600. In this section, we take a closer look at what this false claim means and how it has affected the Social Security Administration and its beneficiaries.
False rumors are circulating that are confusing Social Security recipients, with some claiming they received a $600 boost or another stimulus check this month.
These claims are inaccurate, and the number of daily calls to SSA exceeds 463,000, reflecting the widespread reach of these false claims to recipients seeking accurate information.
The impact of SSI/SSDI misinformation
The SSA 800 line was overwhelmed on June 3rd. Over 463,000 calls were received – 140,000 more than just a few days prior. Why? One reason is a fake news story about a $600 payment increase. This is false. There will be no COLA until January 2025. Thank you to all the SSA staff who helped customers with this rumor.
— Martin O’Malley (@OMalleySSA) June 12, 2024
Social Security scams are the most prevalent government fraud in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing more than $126.5 million to such scams last year alone. These scams take advantage of the trust and urgency individuals feel when they rely on their Social Security benefits, highlighting the serious consequences of misinformation.
Explanation from SSA
The Social Security Administration, led by Chairman Martin O’Malley, has been clear in communicating with the public. “Reports of a $600 benefit increase are false. Do not fall for this ploy,” O’Malley said. The messaging is part of a broader effort by the Social Security Administration to quash misinformation and reassure recipients that they will receive legitimate updates on their benefits directly from the agency.
Scheduled Payment Information
Given the recent turmoil, it’s also important to be aware of the Social Security benefit schedule. Social Security benefits are typically structured based on the beneficiary’s date of birth.
- June 3: Payments made to people who received Social Security benefits before May 1997.
- June 12: Payments are made to beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 1st and 10th of each month.
- June 18: The payments will be timed to coincide with the June 19 federal holiday and will go to people whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th.
- June 26: The benefit will be paid to those whose birthdays are between the 21st and the end of the month.
These schedules are carefully planned to ensure that benefits are paid in a timely manner, reflecting SSA’s commitment to reliability and consistency.
Future COLA information
Looking ahead, annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for 2025 are due to be announced in October. The Senior Citizens League’s forecast calls for an increase of 2.57%, but the final percentage will depend on inflation readings in the third quarter of this year.
If confirmed, this adjustment would apply to benefits beginning in January 2025, continuing SSA’s practice of automatically applying these increases without requiring additional information from beneficiaries.
Official Resources and Recommendations
Beneficiaries are direct Official SSA website Get accurate and up-to-date information about your Social Security benefits. Additionally, the SSA provides resources to help individuals recognize and report common Social Security scams.
The spread of misinformation about Social Security benefit increases is a reminder of the importance of getting information directly from official channels like the Social Security Administration. Getting information from trusted sources helps recipients protect themselves from scams and provides accurate, up-to-date information about changes to their benefits.
