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You May Need Your COLA Letter This Year. Where to Find It

If you accidentally tossed your cost-of-living adjustment letter from the Social Security Administration, we can help.

Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
Expertise Personal Finance: Social Security and taxes
Nina Raemont Writer
A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, Nina started at CNET writing breaking news stories before shifting to covering Security Security and other government benefit programs. In her spare time, she's in her kitchen, trying a new baking recipe.
Katie Teague
Nina Raemont
2 min read
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If you never received the COLA information letter or misplaced it, check in with the Social Security Administration to track it down. 

James Martin/CNET

As a Social Security beneficiary, you may have thought that after filing your taxes you don't need the letter detailing your cost-of-living adjustment increase anymore. But that might not be true for you.

The letter from the Social Security Administration shows how much your new benefit amount should be for 2024, and you may need to use it if you're planning to apply for loans or energy assistance. 

Just as important, if the COLA payments you've received so far this year haven't been what you expected, you can make an appeal to the Social Security Administration and use your COLA letter to show proof of the intended payment amount. For more details about your Social Security benefits, use this cheat sheet to understand your 2024 benefits. Also, find out if you actually need to file your taxes this year.

I didn't receive my COLA letter in the mail. Now what?

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The Social Security Administration told CNET that it sent out letters in the mail throughout December, so you should have already received your notice.

If you think you may have tossed or misplaced it, contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. The agency can help you track down where the letter is or replace it if it's lost.

Can I find my new Social Security benefit amount online somewhere?

You might be able to find your 2024 benefit amount online if you had an online My Social Security account set up before Nov. 15, 2023. If so, you'll be able to access your statement in the Messages Center. Otherwise, you'll need to wait for a new letter to arrive after you request it.

For more, find out whether the COLA increase will affect your taxes this year. Additionally, if you expect to get a tax refund this year, here's the quickest way to get it.