Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has confirmed that it will proceed with the release of the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on October 24, 2025. This release is of critical importance, particularly for those who rely on federal benefits, as the CPI data will be used to calculate the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients in 2026.
The CPI report measures inflation by tracking changes in the prices of goods and services typically purchased by households, including food, housing, and energy. The report provides insight into the current state of the economy and is a key economic indicator used to adjust benefits for millions of Americans. With inflation continuing to impact household budgets, the COLA adjustment plays a crucial role in helping beneficiaries keep up with rising costs.
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This year’s report is particularly important as it determines the COLA for over 72.5 million recipients, including retirees, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals who rely on SSI. While the precise details will be confirmed once the report is published, early projections suggest that beneficiaries will see a 2.7% increase in their monthly payments. This adjustment is expected to add an average of $54 more per month to recipients’ benefits, helping to mitigate the effects of inflation.
Despite the federal shutdown, which has led to the suspension of various government services, the BLS has committed to releasing the CPI data on time. This decision ensures that the timely adjustments to Social Security and SSI benefits will not be delayed. For many recipients, these adjustments are essential to maintaining their purchasing power in the face of rising living costs, particularly in areas such as housing, healthcare, and transportation.
The federal shutdown has created significant challenges across many areas of government, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed and key services suspended. However, essential programs like Social Security and SSI are designed to be largely unaffected by temporary shutdowns, and the release of the CPI report underscores the importance of maintaining support for vulnerable populations during uncertain times.
As the government shutdown continues, the September CPI report will provide important insights into the state of inflation and how it is impacting American households. The projected 2.7% COLA increase is expected to be a welcome development for millions of Social Security and SSI recipients, offering a slight cushion against the financial pressures many are experiencing. This adjustment, however, also highlights ongoing concerns about the overall cost of living in the U.S. and the challenges that low-income and fixed-income individuals face in navigating a fluctuating economy.
The October 24 release of the CPI report will thus be closely watched, not only for the inflation data it provides but also for the critical role it plays in determining the financial security of millions of Americans who depend on government assistance.
