The Social Security Administration (SSA) is going to send up to 6 different payments in August. However, there is one group of recipients who can receive money on 2 different paydays from the same benefit.
The Supplemental Security Income program, commonly known as SSI, is sending a payment on August 1 and another one on August 30. The latter is for the month of September but it must be sent 2 days in advance to avoid delays in sending it on the weekend. So, it is NOT a bonus or extra money.
What are the amounts of the SSI payments in August for single recipients and married couples?
The Social Security Administration says the max SSI payment for August 2024 is:
- $943 for an eligible individual
- $1,415 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse
- $472 for an essential person
Who Qualifies for $1,886 in August Without Receiving Social Security
Since there will be 2 SSI payments in August, some eligible recipients will get $943 on each payday. So, $943 on August 1 and $943 on August 30 make a total of $1,886.
This is the maximum benefit for SSI recipients in 2024. So, those who remain eligible for the maximum payment on August 1 and August 30 will receive that amount of money.
Of course, to get the largest SSI benefit you cannot get any reductions. Reductions take place when you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability insurance benefits at the same time.
Social Security unveils who will receive $2,830 in August
Since SSI recipients can get $943 if they are single, a married couple can receive up to $1,415. So, those eligible couples who get a payment on the 1st and another one on the 30th, will receive a total of $2,830 on these 2 paydays next month. AS long as they qualify for the maximum benefit amount.
Another important group is also receiving SSI benefits. In fact, they are known as essential persons. They can get up to $472 from the Supplemental Security Income in 2024.
Therefore, essential persons will get $944 if they are eligible for the 2 paydays in August and qualify for the maximum amount. If you are on retirement or SSDI and you have a low income, apply for SSI at the same time.
Key points to consider:
- These amounts reflect a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that became effective in January 2024.
- The monthly SSI amounts are based on last year’s unrounded annual amounts. First, increase them by the COLA. Then, divide by 12 and round down to the nearest dollar.
- The actual monthly payment an SSI recipient gets is reduced by subtracting their countable income. For couples, the amount is divided equally between the two spouses.
- Some states provide supplemental SSI payments in addition to the federal amount.
- While eligible couples could receive a combined $2,830 in August ($1,415 at the beginning of the month and another $1,415 at the end), this is not a bonus payment. The second August payment is the September payment issued early since September 1st falls on a weekend.
- Average SSI payments tend to be lower than the maximum amounts and vary based on age and other eligibility factors. For example, recipients aged 65+ average $574, those 18-64 average $743, and those under 18 average $815.