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OAS Payments Are Bigger This July — Here's How Much More You'll Get

  July 21, 2026 If you or someone in your family collects Old Age Security, the deposit landing later this month is larger than the last one. Here's exactly why, and what the new numbers look like. Old Age Security payments went up 1.2% for the July-to-September 2026 quarter — the largest of the four scheduled increases so far this year. Combined with earlier adjustments, that puts OAS 2.3% higher than it was in July 2025. OAS amounts are reviewed every January, April, July, and October to track the Consumer Price Index. When the cost of living rises, the payment rises with it. When it falls, the payment simply holds steady — OAS is protected from ever decreasing. The new maximum monthly amounts Age Group April–June 2026 July–September 2026 Monthly Increase 65 to 74 $743.05 $751.97 +$8.92 75 and older $817.36 $827.17 +$9.81 Seniors 75 and up sit higher because of the permanent 10% top-up the federal government added to that age group's OAS back in July 2022. That bump applies...

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Aid World in Turmoil: USAID Contractors Face Layoffs and Cash Crunch Under Trump Overhaul


In a dramatic shakeup of U.S. foreign assistance, contractors working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been forced to fire staff and grapple with severe cash shortages amid sweeping changes imposed by President Donald Trump. Hours after taking office, Trump ordered a comprehensive review—and subsequent freeze—of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs. The move, aimed at realigning spending with “America First” priorities, has led to blanket stop-work orders that left hundreds of contractors without incoming payments for approved projects.

Contractors, who normally front project costs and then invoice the government, suddenly found their revenue streams drying up. As a result, companies reported laying off large portions of their workforce and initiating furloughs, with some citing unpaid invoices worth millions of dollars. The financial crunch has not only jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of aid workers but also threatened critical programs abroad—from nutritional support for malnourished children to life-saving health initiatives.

Critics warn that these abrupt changes risk undermining decades of humanitarian work that has saved millions of lives, while supporters argue that the review is necessary to eliminate waste and ensure that aid spending directly supports U.S. national interests. As the situation unfolds, uncertainty looms over the future of U.S. foreign assistance, with contractors and aid organizations bracing for further disruptions and potential legal battles over lost benefits and unpaid debts.


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