I have no idea!
Social Security cost of living increases are based on the third quarter. A COLA effective for December of the current year is equal to the percentage increase (if any) in the average CPI-W for the third quarter of the current year over the average for the third quarter of the last year in which a COLA became effective. If there is an increase, it must be rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. If there is no increase, or if the rounded increase is zero, there is no COLA.
July, August, September numbers. I wonder how this correlates with the monthly gas prices during Obie’s reign, more research for me to do.