The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly benefits to people over 65, individuals with disabilities, and surviving family members of deceased claimants. Additionally, both adults and children with disabilities, as well as people aged 65 and older, can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. For 2024, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $943 for an individual and $1,415 for a couple.
SSI is designed to help those with limited financial resources by providing an additional source of income. This program benefits both adults and children with disabilities, as well as individuals aged 65 and older. It is crucial support to cover basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
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Social Security Supplemental Security Income Benefits
On Monday, July 1, SSI beneficiaries will receive their usual monthly payment. The SSA always issues these payments on the first day of each month unless it falls on a Friday or a holiday. In such cases, the payment is made earlier. For example, June payments were made on the last day of May this year.
Retirement payments are made based on the beneficiary’s birthdate and the length of time they have been claiming benefits. Payments are generally made on Wednesdays throughout the month. Those born early in the month receive their payments earlier than those born later.
For example, if your birthday is on April 5, you will always receive your retirement benefits on the second Wednesday of the month. Conversely, if you were born on April 30, you will receive your payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
How Retirement Payments Are Determined
It is important to note that SSI payments are made separately from retirement payments. This means that if you are eligible for both, you will receive each amount on different days. In 2023, disabled workers and their dependents accounted for 11% of the total benefits paid, according to the SSA.
If you do not receive your payment on the expected date, the SSA recommends waiting three business days before contacting them to inquire about the missing payment. This allows time to resolve any administrative or technical issues that may have occurred.
Recent Changes to the SSI Program
There has been some positive news for SSI beneficiaries recently. The SSA has decided to remove obsolete or rarely performed occupations from the list of jobs used to evaluate benefit applications for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs.
Over 100 jobs have been eliminated from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, a tool used to determine if a benefits applicant could find another job based on their abilities. This update could prevent some applicants from being unjustly deemed “not disabled.”
“While the agency’s disability decision process remains sound, we are always looking for improvements to ensure our disability programs remain up-to-date and to ease the burden on our customers,” the SSA explained in a statement. The government agency added that “as a result, we anticipate only considering the most relevant occupations when determining if someone applying for disability benefits could perform other types of work.”
Importance of SSI and SSDI
The SSI and SSDI programs are crucial for providing financial support to those unable to work due to a disability. These programs help cover basic living expenses and provide a safety net for some of the most vulnerable members of society.
SSDI, for example, offers benefits to individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work due to a disability. SSI, on the other hand, does not require previous work experience and focuses on providing assistance to those with limited income and resources.
How to Apply for SSI or SSDI
To apply for SSI or SSDI, you need to submit an application to the SSA. It is essential to provide all necessary documentation, including proof of income, resources, and for SSDI, work and medical history supporting your disability. The SSA will review your application and determine your eligibility based on the established criteria.
In addition to monthly benefits, people with disabilities may be eligible for other types of assistance. This includes access to healthcare services through Medicaid, housing assistance, and employment support programs that help individuals with disabilities find and maintain suitable employment.