If you’re one of the millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits, you may find a pleasant surprise in November: an extra payment. This isn’t due to a policy change but rather a result of how the dates fall on this year’s calendar. Let’s look at who this affects and how it will work.
Typically, Social Security beneficiaries receive one payment per month, but this November, some will receive more than one. The primary reason is the way the days fall in the last two months of the year. This can cause confusion, especially for those receiving payments through the Supplemental Security Income program, which is designed to support disabled adults and seniors with low income.
Why will there be an Social Security extra payment in November?
In this case, specific calendar dates have caused some beneficiaries to receive up to three payments in November. Here’s what you need to know. The additional payment will primarily impact those who receive SSI benefits, as well as some who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. It’s important to note that not all Social Security beneficiaries will receive an extra payment.
SSI beneficiaries will get their first November payment on Friday, November 1. However, they will also receive a second payment on Friday, November 29. Why two payments? The second payment is actually for December, which would typically be paid on December 1. However, because that date falls on a Sunday this year, the check is moved up to the last business day in November.
For those who receive both Social Security and SSI, they will also get their Social Security check on November 1, instead of November 3, as that date is also a Sunday. This means some beneficiaries will receive up to three payments in November: two from SSI and one from Social Security.
Which dates should you keep in mind?
If you receive Social Security but not SSI, your payment schedule won’t change. Payments will continue on their usual dates, based on your birth date:
- November 13: for those born between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
- November 20: for those born between the 11th and the 20th.
- November 27: for those born between the 21st and the 31st of the month.
So, if you only receive Social Security and not SSI, you’ll receive your payment on one of these three dates, depending on your birth date.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments: what to expect in January
Besides the extra payment in November, there’s another piece of good news for Social Security beneficiaries: the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This adjustment is intended to maintain the purchasing power of beneficiaries by adjusting payments for inflation.
For 2025, the COLA will be 2.5%, which means payments will increase slightly for all beneficiaries. For instance, a typical beneficiary will see an increase of about $50 per month, raising the average check to around $1,976.
This increase will be reflected in the payments beneficiaries receive in January 2025. The dates will be as follows:
- January 8: for those born between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
- January 15: for those born between the 11th and the 20th.
- January 22: for those born between the 21st and the 31st of the month.
Beneficiaries who started receiving their checks before May 1997 or who receive both Social Security and SSI will receive their payment with the COLA increase on January 3.
What about the rest of the beneficiaries?If you don’t receive SSI benefits, don’t worry; you haven’t been overlooked. If you receive only Social Security payments, you’ll continue receiving your check as usual, and while you won’t receive an extra payment in November, you will see an increase in January due to the cost-of-living adjustment.
It’s essential to stay informed about these dates to avoid confusion and plan your finances accordingly. Social Security and SSI ensure payments arrive on time, even if dates shift due to the calendar.