Social Security Announces New SSI Payment Schedule: Increased Benefits and Revised Dates for December and January

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has outlined changes in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment schedule for December and January, reflecting adjustments for upcoming federal holidays and incorporating the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This update impacts millions of Americans who rely on SSI for financial assistance. Here’s a detailed look at what recipients need to know about the revised dates and increased payment amounts.

December SSI Payment Arriving Early

All SSI recipients already received their November payment on November 1, 2024. Typically, SSI benefits are distributed on the first of each month, but adjustments are made if that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday. For December, the regular payment date (December 1) falls on a Saturday, prompting the SSA to move the payment to Friday, November 29. Recipients should be aware that this payment is the December benefit, simply disbursed a few days earlier than usual.

January Payment Issued Early, Reflecting 2025 COLA Increase

In addition to the December schedule shift, SSI recipients can also expect their January 2025 payment early—on December 31, 2024—instead of January 1, which is a federal holiday. This payment will include the 2025 COLA adjustment, which is designed to help recipients maintain purchasing power amid inflation. SSA announced that this COLA-adjusted January payment will be the first to reflect increased benefit amounts, providing a financial boost as the new year begins.

Increased SSI Benefit Amounts for 2025

With the 2025 COLA adjustment, SSI recipients will see modest increases in their monthly payments. Here’s how the maximum benefits will change beginning with the January payment:

• Essential Persons: Up to $484 (previously $472)
• Individual Beneficiaries: Up to $967 (previously $943)
• Eligible Married Couples: Up to $1,450 (previously $1,415)

These increases, though modest, help SSI beneficiaries address rising living costs, especially those on limited incomes. Recipients can expect to see the new, adjusted amounts starting with the December 31, 2024, payment.

SSI Eligibility and Factors Impacting Payment Amounts

SSI benefits aim to support individuals with limited income who are either aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Importantly, these payments do not come from Social Security Trust Funds; they are funded by the federal government. Payments vary based on each recipient’s specific eligibility, financial resources, and personal circumstances. For example, those considered “essential persons” (such as caregivers who provide crucial support to SSI recipients) receive a different maximum amount than individual recipients or couples.

Key Dates for SSI Payments

SSI recipients should note the following dates for upcoming payments:

• November 1, 2024: Regular November SSI payment
• November 29, 2024: Early payment for December SSI benefits
• December 31, 2024: Early payment for January 2025 benefits, including COLA increase

Final Notes for Recipients

With the revised payment dates and COLA adjustments, SSI recipients can prepare for minor changes in payment timing and amounts as the new year approaches. The SSA’s advance payment schedules and COLA adjustments are intended to support recipients by preventing delays and helping them manage rising costs. Recipients should consider these adjustments in their budgeting plans and monitor their accounts around the revised dates to ensure timely access to benefits.

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