The Numbers Are In!

Every year, usually in October, the federal government announces the latest Cost of Living Adjustment, fondly referred to as COLA. The new rates are based on the Consumer Price Index, which is really a measure of the average change in prices for the nation’s goods and services. 

COLA at Work (or School)

Ah, but why should you or your beneficiaries or job seekers care? The simple answer is that the employees you support can earn more money and still qualify for benefits. Let’s talk about how that affects three groups of people: 1) SSDI recipients, 2) SSI recipients, and 3) some students with disabilities.

SSDI Recipients

Social Security’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) level and many of its work incentives are based on the annual COLA rate. In 2018, for instance, that means a worker eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who is earning less than $1,180 per month may still be eligible for benefits after his or her Trial Work Period.

The new 2019 SGA level for workers who are disabled is $1,220; it’s $2,040 for workers who are blind. The recent COLA increase led to a fair increase in the SGA, which means your beneficiary can now earn $40 more per month ($480 per year) and still qualify for SSDI.

SSI Recipients

COLA also affects recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In 2018 the maximum SSI payment (the Federal Benefit Rate or FBR) was $750. In 2019, the FBR is $771, an increase of $21 per month.  

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who are working make up another group affected by COLA if they’re using the Student Earned Income Exclusion. In 2019, Social Security ensures that working students can keep more of their SSI check by not counting up to $1,870 per month ($7,550 annually) of earned income when calculating a student’s monthly SSI payment.

2019 Employment & Benefits Information Trainings

The Center on Community Living and Careers is excited to announce its 2019 training schedule. This year we will continue to offer “Discovery Training,” “Employment Specialist Training,” “Strategies for Effective Supported Employment,” “Benefits Information Network Trainings” (Basic and Recertification trainings and “Social Security & Work Incentive Information” trainings).  

In addition, we’re adding a new online job development training to our menu. “Beyond Barriers to Passion and Possibilities,” featuring Denise Bissonnette, will be offered twice in 2019.

We will also continue the Leadership Series for VR and community employment directors, supervisors, and managers. The second installment in the series, “Better Together: Building Effective Employment Teams,” is an online, self-paced series of modules, which will open January 28.  More information coming soon.

Mark your calendars and watch your email inboxes to begin planning for your attendance! We have several trainings planned for January! Download and print the 2019 Employment Trainings save-the-dates flyer!

More Benefits Information

There are certainly more details regarding COLA and specific work incentives. Fortunately, Indiana has resources for workers with disabilities and the people who support them. That means you!  

CCLC will post updates to its Work Incentive Fact Sheets in January 2019.  Fact sheets will incorporate the updated SGA and COLA information and any other new information from Social Security.

Have more questions about national and state benefits that affect beneficiaries? Contact a Benefits Information Network (BIN) liaison. There are now 179 certified BIN liaisons in Indiana. For a referral to a BIN liaison, contact the Center on Community Living and Career’s Kelley Land (our benefits guru) at kelland@indiana.edu. 

Bubbling Up New COLA Info in 2018

Last year we untapped new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) numbers with this post. Same flavor, new stats this year!


Every year, usually in October, the federal government announces the latest Cost of Living Adjustment, fondly referred to as COLA. The new rates are based on the Consumer Price Index, which is really a measure of the average change in prices for the nation’s goods and services. 

Ah, but why should you or your consumers care? 

It’s because Social Security’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) level and many of its work incentives are based on the annual COLA rate. In 2018, for instance, that means a consumer eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) earning less than $1,180 per month may still be eligible for benefits after his or her Trial Work Period is complete. The new 2018 SGA level for workers who are disabled is $1,180; it’s $1,970 for workers who are blind.

The recent COLA increase led to a slight increase in the SGA, which means your consumer can now earn $10 more per month ($120 per year) and still qualify for benefits. The bottom line: When the SGA increases, many consumers can earn more and continue to be eligible for benefits.

COLA also affects recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In 2017 the maximum SSI payment was $735, but in 2018, we are seeing the largest increase we've had in years. The new Federal Benefit Rate is $750 this year, an increase of $15 per month.

Students with disabilities who are working make up another group affected by COLA if they’re using the Student Earned Income Exclusion. In 2018, Social Security ensures that working students can keep more of their SSI check by not counting up to $1,820 per month ($7,350 annually) of earned income when calculating a student’s monthly SSI payment. 


Why, you ask, is the rate increase so small if the economy has improved? Okay, let’s get a little benefits nerdy here. COLA is based on “quarters of coverage” and is averaged over two years. In October 2016, when they set the new rate, it was based on the third quarter of 2014 through the third quarter of 2016. Improvements to the economy (and therefore increasing prices for goods and services) that have occurred more recently won’t be reflected in the COLA rates until this year (which we're beginning to see) or possibly next year. 

We get it: It’s complicated. That’s why Indiana has resources for workers with disabilities and the people who support them. That means you!  

Benefits Information Resources

• 2018 Changes to Social Security (including COLA)
• 2018 Work Incentive Fact Sheets

Need a refresher on all-thing-benefits?  Check out the Center on Community Living and Career’s Benefits Information Network trainings page. There you’ll find:

• a save-the-date flyer for all of our 2018 certified BIN trainings and 
• a link to registration for our February 22-23 workshop, “Social Security and Other Federal and State Benefits: Learning the Basics.” 

And just a heads up: We've switched up the format for our BIN Basic trainings. This year Basic BIN training includes three days of in-person instruction plus a fourth day of online "helpdesk" follow-up and support for attendees. Attendance at and participation in the in-person instruction and online support is required for certification. Cost for this training is $250. BIN Basic trainings will take place in March, June, August, and October. Registration information coming soon!

Have more questions? Contact a Benefits Information Network (BIN) liaison. There are now certified BIN liaisons in place at 62 of Indiana’s 96 community rehabilitation providers. For a referral to a BIN liaison, contact the Center on Community Living and Career’s Kelley Land (our benefits guru) at kelland@indiana.edu.

Bubbling Up New COLA Info

Every year, usually in October, the federal government announces the latest Cost of Living Adjustment, fondly referred to as COLA. The new rates are based on the Consumer Price Index, which is really a measure of the average change in prices for the nation’s goods and services. 

Ah, but why should you or your consumers care? 

It’s because Social Security’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) level and many of its work incentives are based on the annual COLA rate. In 2017, for instance, that means a consumer eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) earning less than $1,170 per month may still be eligible for benefits after his or her Trial Work Period. The new 2017 SGA level for workers who are disabled is $1,170; it’s $1,950 for workers who are blind.

The recent COLA increase led to a modest increase in the SGA, which means your consumer can now earn $40 more per month ($480 per year) and still qualify for benefits. The bottom line: When the SGA increases, many consumers can earn more and continue to be eligible for benefits.

COLA also affects recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In 2016 the maximum SSI payment did not increase, but for 2017 it rose a modest .3%, to $735, due to the new cost-of-living rate. 

Students with disabilities who are working make up another group affected by COLA if they’re using the Student Earned Income Exclusion. In 2017, Social Security ensures that working students can keep more of their SSI check by not counting up to $1,790 per month ($7,200 annually) of earned income when calculating a student’s monthly SSI payment. 

Why, you ask, is the rate increase so small if the economy has improved? Okay, let’s get a little benefits nerdy here. COLA is based on “quarters of coverage” and is averaged over two years. In October 2016, when they set the new rate, it was based on the third quarter of 2014 through the third quarter of 2016. Improvements to the economy (and therefore increasing prices for goods and services) that have occurred more recently won’t be reflected in the COLA rates until 2018 or 2019. 

We get it: It’s complicated. That’s why Indiana has resources for workers with disabilities and the people who support them. That means you!  

Benefits Information Resources

• 2017 Changes to Social Security (including COLA)
• 2017 Work Incentive Fact Sheets
• Need a refresher on all-thing-benefits?  Check out the Center on Community Living and Career’s Benefits Information Network trainings page. There you’ll find a save-the-date flyer for all of our 2017 certified BIN trainings and a link to registration for our February 22-23 workshop, “Social Security and Other Federal and State Benefits: Learning the Basics.” 

Have more questions? Contact a Benefits Information Network (BIN) liaison. There are now certified BIN liaisons in place at 62 of Indiana’s 96 community rehabilitation providers. For a referral to a BIN liaison, contact the Center on Community Living and Career’s Kelley Land (our benefits guru) at kelland@indiana.edu.