(WENY) - The Social Security Administration announced Thursday morning a 6% increase in their benefits. Over 70 million Americans will now see an increase in their benefits. 

The increase comes in response to inflation. The adjustment is to account for the higher cost of living, which has risen over the past year due to inflation raising the price of gas, groceries, and other goods necessary for day-to-day life. 

Adjustments are set to take effect by January 2022 for 64 million Social Security beneficiaries. Roughly eight million SSI beneficiaries will also see increased payments starting December 31st, 2021.  

Steuben County is one local county ecstatic to receive these benefits. AmeriCorps Senior Coordinator Christine Towner believes the county’s Department of Aging will fuel the impact of the increase. 

“We're just very happy to see that seniors are receiving an increase,” Towner said. “Hopefully it gives them a chance to put a little extra money into their budgets.” 

She continued by highlighting services Steuben’s Department of Aging provides; increase or not. 

“We do a lot to maximize individual benefits so we have a lot of personalized service,” Towner said. 

Towner left some advice for community members in taking full advantage of the new benefits. 

“We recommend that people give us a call at 607-664-2298 and make an appointment with our benefits enrollment team,” Towner said. “They can go over their expenses, their incomes, and decide what benefits they could enroll for.” 

For more information on the modifications, please visit the Medicare website here. For more information on how the cost of living is calculated, visit the Social Security Administration’s website here.