November Surprise: SSI Recipients Get Two Payments This Month
An earlier version of this story misstated the schedule of checks coming to recipients. They will receive an SSI check on December 31, 2024.
Extra SSI Check Scheduled for November
Some Social Security beneficiaries may have noticed an unusual adjustment in next month’s payment schedule: an extra Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check is set for November. While those closely monitoring the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) 2024 timetable may not find this surprising, it could still cause confusion for recipients accustomed to receiving a single monthly payment.
The Reason for Two Checks
The reason SSI recipients are receiving two checks in November is due to a scheduling quirk. Typically, SSI benefits are issued on the first business day of each month. However, since December 1 falls on a Sunday this year, SSI payments for December will be distributed the Friday before. Consequently, SSI checks will be issued on the following dates in November:
- Friday, Nov. 1
- Friday, Nov. 29
Understanding SSI Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) differs from Social Security retirement benefits. As noted by AARP, while the SSA administers SSI benefits, they are not funded by the same sources as Social Security. SSI is financed through the U.S. Treasury and state-level supplements, aimed at helping low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Eligibility for SSI benefits is determined by several factors, including:
- Having little or no income.
- Having little or no resources.
- Having a disability, blindness, or being age 65 or older.
For 2024, the maximum monthly benefit for an individual is $943, and $1,415 for couples if both qualify. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires a work history, SSI does not.
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November Social Security Payment Schedule
The SSA releases its annual payment schedules well in advance, allowing recipients to plan for future distributions. For November, the payment schedule for typical Social Security retirement benefits is as follows:
- Wednesday, Nov. 13: Birth dates between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, Nov. 20: Birth dates between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- Wednesday, Nov. 27: Birth dates between the 21st and 31st of the month.
Streamlined SSI Application Process
Recently, the SSA announced a new, simplified process for applying for SSI benefits, set to roll out later this year. The online system, known as iClaim, will feature straightforward, plain-language questions designed to expedite the application process for both applicants and claims processors.
Not all applicants will be able to access the new system immediately. The SSA indicated that the phased rollout in December will be available for first-time applicants aged 18 to nearly 65 who have never married and are concurrently applying for Social Security benefits and SSI.
