🌟 Editor's Note
Welcome to the first edition of Purple Weekly. Each week, we’ll bring you the most important disability news, benefits updates, and financial tips - all in one place.
This Week’s Top Disability News
SSA Expands Compassionate Allowances List
The Social Security Administration has added 13 new medical conditions to its Compassionate Allowances program, which fast tracks disability benefit approvals for people with severe illnesses.
This means applicants with these newly listed conditions can bypass long wait times and receive decisions much faster, sometimes in weeks instead of months. The program now covers more than 280 conditions, including certain cancers, rare diseases, and neurological disorders. Advocates say this expansion will help thousands of people get financial support when they need it most.
2026 Social Security COLA Projected at 2.7%
The Senior Citizens League estimates that the 2026 cost of living adjustment for Social Security benefits will be 2.7%. This is a smaller increase compared to some recent years, reflecting slower inflation.
For people receiving SSI, SSDI, or retirement benefits, the adjustment determines how much monthly payments rise to keep pace with living costs. A 2.7% increase would mean about $26 more per month for the average retiree, and similar percentage boosts for disability benefits. The official adjustment will be announced in October 2025.
Proposed SNAP Cuts Raise Concerns
Proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could reduce benefits for millions of low income Americans, including many with disabilities. Lawmakers pushing for the cuts say they are needed to reduce federal spending.
Disability advocates warn these reductions could make it harder for people to afford groceries, especially as food prices remain high. SNAP is a lifeline for more than 40 million Americans, and for people with disabilities, it often bridges the gap between benefits income and basic needs. Critics say the changes could lead to greater food insecurity and worse health outcomes.
SSA Increased Overpayment Withholding
Last month, the Social Security Administration began withholding up to 50% of monthly benefits to recover overpayments, up from the previous 10% limit.
Overpayments can happen for many reasons, such as reporting errors or delays in processing changes to income or living situations. Advocates worry the higher withholding could create serious financial strain for people who rely solely on SSI or SSDI to pay for housing, food, and medical care. For some, losing half their monthly benefit could mean choosing between rent and other essentials.
💡 Tip of the Week
Set up direct deposit to your Purple Checking account to get your disability benefits up to 4 days early¹ and other direct deposits up to 2 days early¹.
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Thanks for reading this week’s Purple Weekly. See you next week!
— The Purple Team
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¹ Early access is not guaranteed, depends on payer timing, and standard processing times may apply. We generally make funds available on the day we receive the payment file, which may be up to 4 days early for government benefits like SSI or SSDI, and up to 2 days early for other deposits. Early access is available at no additional cost.