Do you still have the letter regarding the cost-of-living adjustment increase that the Social Security Administration sent you last year? Be sure to store that crucial note in a secure location as it may come in handy this year.
This article is included in Taxes 2024, CNET’s comprehensive coverage of top tax software, tax advice, and all the tools necessary to submit your return and monitor your refund.
The correspondence from the administration outlines the new benefit amount for 2024, which may be necessary for loan or energy assistance applications.
Equally crucial, if the payments you’ve received this year haven’t met your expectations, you have the option to appeal to the Social Security Administration and provide your COLA letter as evidence of the correct payment amount. To get more information on your Social Security benefits, refer to this cheat sheet to better understand your 2024 benefits. Also, determine if filing taxes is necessary this year.
COLA Letter Alert: Social Security Assistance for Lost or Misplaced Notices
CNET was informed by the Social Security Administration that letters were sent out in the mail during December, so you should have received your notice by now.
If you suspect you may have thrown away or lost it, reach out to the Social Security Administration promptly. The agency is available to assist in locating the letter or providing a replacement if needed.
If you had an online account set up before Nov. 15, 2023, you may be able to locate your 2024 benefit amount on the internet. If that’s the case, you will have access to your statement in the Messages Center. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for a new letter to arrive after requesting it.
