Get Ready for SSI: Payment Schedule and Checks Up to $1,415 Before COLA
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program designed to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals in need. Recipients typically receive payments from the federal government on the first of November. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that the next payment will be made on November 1, 2024.
Payment Schedule Adjustments
If the first of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, the SSA usually delivers the payment on the previous business day. This situation will occur soon, affecting the upcoming payment schedule.
Upcoming SSI Payments in November and December
The November 1 payment is not the only disbursement for SSI recipients this month. It’s important to note that the payment for December cannot be sent on Sunday, December 1, 2024. To accommodate this, the SSA has scheduled the December SSI check for November 29, 2024. As a result, recipients will benefit from two distinct paydays: one for November and another for December.
Eligibility Criteria for SSI
To qualify for Supplemental Security Income, applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
- Low income
- Little or no resources
- U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status (some non-citizens may qualify)
- Being blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old
Scheduled Payments for January 2025
Looking ahead, the SSI payment for January 2025 will not be sent on January 1 due to bank and SSA office closures for the federal holiday. Instead, the payment is scheduled for December 31, 2024. Consequently, SSI recipients will receive the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2025 in December 2024.
The Impact of COLA on SSI Payments
The COLA is expected to increase the maximum SSI amount for individuals by approximately $23, totaling an additional $276 per year.
Eligible married couples will receive up to $1,450 on December 31, 2024, reflecting an increase of $35 per month. Over the course of 12 months, this adjustment will result in an extra $420 for these recipients. Thus, the COLA adjustment is set to provide significant benefits for low-income Americans.
