The Social Security Administration (SSA), responsible for distributing monthly benefits to retirees, survivors, people with disabilities, and recipients of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, has confirmed that a triple SSI payment will be issued before December 31.
This means that those receiving SSI will get three payments: two in November and an additional advance payment on December 31. This scheduling adjustment ensures that beneficiaries receive their support on time, even when these dates coincide with weekends or holidays.
Understanding the triple SSI payment before year-end
Each month, the SSA distributes over 70 million checks to beneficiaries of various programs, including retirement, survivor, disability (RSDI), and SSI. To avoid confusion and keep track of payments, the SSA plans an annual payment calendar, allowing beneficiaries to know precisely when they’ll receive their funds. Typically, SSI payments are issued on the first day of each month. However, when this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is moved up to the last business day before the first.
This year, SSI beneficiaries will receive two payments in November and a third advance payment on December 31, due to both December 1 and January 1 falling on non-business days. This arrangement ensures payments arrive promptly, free of delays from holidays or weekends.
How the SSI and RSDI payment schedule works
The SSA manages different programs with distinct payment schedules, explained here according to benefit type:
- SSI program: SSI payments are usually made on the first of each month. However, when the first lands on a weekend or holiday, payments are issued on the last business day before.
- RSDI program (before May 1997): If you retired or applied for benefits before May 1997, you receive payments on the third day of each month, unless this date falls on a holiday or weekend.
RSDI program (after May 1997): For those who applied for benefits after May 1997, the SSA established a staggered payment schedule based on beneficiaries’ birth dates:
- Birthdates from the 1st to the 10th receive checks on the second Wednesday of each month.
- Birthdates from the 11th to the 20th receive their funds on the third Wednesday.
- Birthdates from the 21st to the 31st receive payments on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Details on the triple SSI payment across November and December
From November 1 to December 31, SSI beneficiaries will receive three payments. The first payment will be issued on November 1, following the usual calendar. However, since December 1 falls on a weekend, the second payment will be sent on the last business day of November, which is November 29. Finally, as January 1 is a holiday, the SSA will release the January 2025 payment early on December 31.
The SSI advance payment on December 31 will not only cover January 2025 but will also include the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase. This adjustment will raise the average benefit from $943 to $967. As a result, beneficiaries will receive their first payment with the new adjustment before 2025 even begins.
Key points to note if you’re an SSI beneficiary
If you receive SSI, it’s essential to stay informed about these year-end changes to the payment schedule. This adjustment doesn’t mean additional payments but rather a rescheduling to ensure that beneficiaries have their funds on time and avoid potential issues due to holiday disruptions. Furthermore, with the December 31 payment, SSI beneficiaries will be the first to experience the 2025 increase, thanks to the early application of the COLA.
With these adjustments, Social Security aims to prevent interruptions in payments and ensure that beneficiaries have access to their funds on predictable dates.