The Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue an unusual “triple” payment schedule for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries by December 31, 2024. This triple payment is designed to ensure beneficiaries receive their expected payments on time, even as some scheduled dates overlap with weekends and federal holidays. Here’s a closer look at what this means, who qualifies, and how these payments are structured.
Why Is There a Triple SSI Payment This Year?
The SSA provides monthly benefits to over 70 million individuals through retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) as well as the SSI program. To ensure timely delivery, the SSA has an annual payment schedule that accounts for weekends and federal holidays, adjusting dates to avoid delays.
For 2024, SSI beneficiaries will see three payments by year-end due to date adjustments:
- November: Recipients will receive two SSI payments—one on November 1st and another on November 29th (which would have been the December 1st payment, moved up due to the weekend).
- December: The December payment will arrive on December 31st, accounting for the January 1st holiday.
These adjustments allow beneficiaries to receive payments on time without delay, as well as an early boost for the New Year.
Understanding the Social Security Payment Schedule
The SSA payment schedule varies depending on the type of benefit and the recipient’s date of birth. Here’s a breakdown of when to expect payments:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Regular Date: Payments are typically made on the 1st of each month.
- If the 1st is on a weekend or holiday: Payments are moved to the previous business day.
Retirement, Survivor, and Disability Insurance (RSDI)
- Claimed Benefits Before May 1997: Benefits are issued on the 3rd of the month unless this date falls on a weekend or holiday.
- Claimed Benefits After May 1997: Payments follow a staggered schedule based on the recipient’s birth date:
- Born 1st-10th: Payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Born 11th-20th: Payment on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Born 21st-31st: Payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
2024 Year-End SSI Payment Schedule
For SSI beneficiaries, here’s how the payment schedule is structured for the last months of 2024:
| Month | Regular SSI Payment Date | Adjusted Payment Date |
|---|---|---|
| September | – | – |
| October | October 1 | – |
| November | November 1 | November 29 (for December 1) |
| December | – | December 31 (for January 1) |
What This Means for SSI Beneficiaries
From November 1 to December 31, SSI recipients will receive three payments, including two in November and one on December 31. This early December 31 payment reflects the first increased amount for 2025, as the SSA applies a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to account for inflation. This COLA increase means that SSI beneficiaries will see slightly higher payments in 2025, making the December 31 payment a bit higher than previous months.
Expected SSI Payment Amounts in 2025
Here’s a look at how the 2.5% COLA adjustment will affect SSI benefits for various categories of recipients:
| Category | 2024 SSI Payment | 2025 Payment with 2.5% COLA | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Payment | $698 | $715 | $17 |
| Individual | $943 | $967 | $24 |
| Couples | $1,415 | $1,450 | $35 |
| Essential Person | $472 | $484 | $12 |
The December 31 payment will be the first to reflect the COLA increase, meaning individual SSI recipients can expect an average benefit of $967 rather than the previous $943.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are there three SSI payments at the end of 2024?
A: The SSA is issuing three SSI payments due to adjustments for weekends and holidays, ensuring beneficiaries receive payments on time without disruption.
When will I receive my January 2025 SSI payment?
A: The January 2025 payment will arrive on December 31, 2024, as January 1 is a federal holiday.
How does the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) affect my SSI payment?
A: The 2.5% COLA for 2025 increases the average monthly SSI benefit, providing slightly more income to help offset inflation.