For Social Security disability beneficiaries receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), November brings a small surprise: an extra scheduled payment. This isn’t an increase in benefits, but rather a calendar adjustment that results in recipients receiving two payments within the same month. The reason is simple: the December calendar requires that month’s payment to be issued at the end of November.
Typically, SSI payments are made on the first business day of each month. However, when this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) advances the payment to the last business day of the prior month. This year, since December 1 falls on a Sunday, the SSA has decided to move the December payment to Friday, November 29. As a result, SSI recipients will see deposits both on November 1 and November 29.
Why will there be an extra payment for disability beneficiaries in November?
This payment schedule adjustment is designed to ensure that recipients have access to their funds on time, avoiding delays that could impact those who rely on these payments to cover essential living expenses.
What is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program?
SSI is a program aimed at people with limited income and resources, including elderly adults and people with disabilities. Unlike Social Security retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is funded by the U.S. Treasury rather than payroll taxes. This allows individuals with limited or no work history to receive financial assistance.
For 2024, the maximum SSI monthly benefit is set at $943 for an individual and $1,415 for couples who meet the eligibility criteria. In 2025, these amounts will increase with a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), helping beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power in the face of inflation.
Social Security payment schedule for November
In addition to SSI payments, the SSA also issues Social Security retirement benefits, and these follow a monthly schedule based on the beneficiary’s birth date. For November, the retirement payment schedule is as follows:
- November 13: for those born between the 1st and 10th of any month
- November 20: for those born between the 11th and 20th
- November 27: for those born on or after the 21st
It’s essential for beneficiaries to know these dates, especially those who rely on their payments to manage their monthly finances.
Adjustments to the payment schedule for 2025
Due to holidays and weekends, the SSI schedule for 2025 will also have a few adjustments that beneficiaries should be aware of. For example, the January payment will be made on December 31, 2024, since January 1 is a holiday. Additionally, in February and March, payments will also be issued at the end of the prior month, meaning there will be no SSI payment in March. A similar situation will occur in May and August, so there will be no SSI payments in June or September either.
These calendar adjustments might seem confusing, but it’s how the SSA ensures that beneficiaries don’t experience delays due to holidays.
Differences between SSI and SSDI: how do these programs differ?
SSI and SSDI are often confused because both provide benefits to people with disabilities, but there are essential differences. While SSDI is funded by payroll taxes and requires a work history, SSI is an assistance program that doesn’t require prior employment. SSDI eligibility is based on the number of years worked and contributed to Social Security, whereas SSI only requires meeting income and resource criteria.
This distinction is significant, as the amount and timing of payments can differ between the two programs. SSDI, for instance, doesn’t have its payment dates adjusted for holidays in the same way as SSI, making its schedule more consistent and predictable for beneficiaries.
How will the Cost-of-Living Adjustment affect benefits in 2025?
Next year, SSI beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their payments due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This increase aims to help recipients maintain their purchasing power in response to inflation, which continues to be a significant economic challenge. With the COLA, the average monthly payment is expected to be around $1,957, enabling beneficiaries to adjust their budgets as living costs rise.
This increase is particularly important for those who depend on Social Security payments, especially disability beneficiaries and elderly adults who often face rising medical and housing costs each year.