If you or someone you love receives Social Security disability benefits, or you’re thinking about applying, you’ve probably seen a lot of headlines lately. Some of the news is good. Some of it is worth a closer look. Here’s a plain-English summary of what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what it means for families in Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Florida Keys.
Is my disability check going up in 2027?
Yes. On October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living increase for 2027. If you get SSDI, you’ll see it in your January 2027 payment. If you get SSI, the higher payment starts earlier, on December 31, 2026. You don’t need to apply or fill out anything.
SSA says people with a my Social Security account can see their notice online starting in late November. Everyone else will get a letter in the mail in December. Keep in mind that Medicare premiums are usually taken out of your check, so your deposit may not go up by the full 3.6 percent.
If you work part-time while getting benefits, the earnings limits also change each year. For now, the 2026 limits still apply: $1,690 a month for most people and $2,830 a month for people who are blind. SSA normally publishes the new amounts around this time of year. Before you take a job or add hours, talk with us so a paycheck doesn’t put your benefits at risk.
What changed for people with heart conditions?
Starting October 30, 2026, SSA will use updated medical rules to evaluate heart and blood vessel conditions. SSA calls these rules the “listings,” the checklist its reviewers use to decide whether a condition is serious enough to qualify. The final rule applies to new applications and to claims still pending on or after that date. You can find the rules in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of 20 CFR Part 404, if you or your doctor want to look them up.
The wording and the type of medical evidence SSA looks for have changed in several places. If you have a heart-related claim that hasn’t been decided yet, don’t assume records that fit the old rules also fit the new ones. It’s worth having someone compare your medical records to the new criteria.
Are there new rules for young adults?
Yes, for people roughly ages 18 to 25. A new ruling, SSR 26-2p, took effect October 1, 2026 and replaces guidance SSA had used since 2011. It covers new applications, pending cases, and reviews of young adults already getting benefits. As reported, it puts real weight on school records and on what a young person can do without extra support. If you’re a parent of a young adult with a disability, keep those school records somewhere safe.
Did Social Security change how it counts age?
No, and that’s good news for older workers. Last year, reports said SSA was drafting a rule that would count age less, or not at all, in disability decisions. In November 2025, SSA told advocates it would not move forward. The current rules, including the extra consideration given at ages 50, 55, and 60, are still in place (20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2). We’ll keep watching, because ideas like this can come back.
Who reviews my case now?
In March 2026, SSA announced it was moving medical continuing disability reviews from state offices to its own federal unit, Disability Case Review. If you already get benefits and SSA checks in on your condition, your notice may come from a federal office instead of the state. The standard for keeping your benefits hasn’t changed. What matters is that you respond right away. Make sure SSA has your current address and phone number, and don’t set a review notice aside.
In Florida, the state’s Division of Disability Determinations, part of the Florida Department of Health, still makes medical decisions on new applications and appeals at the first level. It applies the same federal rules as every other state. Florida also doesn’t add anything to the federal SSI payment.
How long will my claim take?
Longer than most families expect. SSA’s own numbers from July 2026 show initial decisions averaging about 186 days, which is a little over six months. If you’re denied and ask for a hearing, the average wait is about 275 days, with roughly 362,000 hearings waiting nationwide. And more than 6 in 10 first applications are denied, which is why a strong medical record from the start matters.
If you get a denial letter, you generally have 60 days to appeal. Please don’t wait.
Talk to our team
Whether you’re applying, appealing a denial, or facing a review, you don’t have to sort through these changes on your own. The attorneys and staff at Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti have been helping South Florida families for more than 40 years. Call us at 305-653-5555 to set up a time to talk. Our firm handles cases throughout Florida and throughout the United States.
If you’re considering applying for benefits—or have already been denied—contact our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys for a free consultation.
Contact Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti today to discuss your case and learn about your options.
Call us @ 305-653-5555. Text Us @305-653-1515 Email us at [email protected], or complete the form on this page, and we will contact you.
Frequently asked questions
Will my SSDI payment go up automatically in 2027?
Yes. The 3.6 percent increase is automatic and shows up in your January 2027 payment. SSI payments go up on December 31, 2026.
Do the new heart rules apply to a claim I already filed?
They apply to claims that are still pending on or after October 30, 2026. A claim already decided before that date is judged under the old rules.
Did Florida change its own disability rules?
No. Florida uses federal rules to determine medical eligibility for Social Security disability. The changes in this post come from SSA, not from the state.
How long do I have to appeal a Social Security disability denial?
Generally, 60 days from the date you receive the denial letter. Missing that deadline can mean starting over.
Does the new review process change my benefits?
No. The rules for keeping benefits are the same. What changed is who handles the paperwork, so watch your mail for notices from a federal office.
This post is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Social Security rules change often, and every case is different. Please speak with an attorney about your own situation.
