This Month, There Will Be No SSI Payment: Here’s What You Need to Know About the Calendar
Some individuals receiving Social Security benefits may have noticed an unusual change: there will not be an SSI payment made this September.
This slight alteration in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) payment schedule might not be surprising for those who have been following the SSA’s timetable for 2024, which specifies when various payments will be sent. For those accustomed to seeing their funds arrive on the first day of each month, this change could still lead to some confusion.
Fortunately, the reason for this adjustment is straightforward—it solely relates to the calendar. Given that approximately 7.5 million people are expected to receive SSI payments in 2024, even a minor change can create a bit of uncertainty. Here’s what you should understand about SSI benefits for this month.
Why Are SSI Checks Missing in September?
This month, recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will not receive a check due to a minor scheduling anomaly.
Typically, SSI payments are made on the first business day of each month to assist low-income seniors and disabled individuals. Since September 1 fell on a Sunday this year, the payment meant for that month was distributed on Friday, August 30.
As per the SSA calendar, the next round of payments will not occur until October 1, which means beneficiaries won’t receive an SSI payment in September.
This same situation arose a few months back in June, when payments were made on Friday, May 31 instead of Saturday, June 1, with the next payment not until Monday, July 1.
What Is SSI?
According to AARP, the Social Security Administration administers SSI benefits but does not directly fund them. While Social Security benefits are primarily supported by income taxes, SSI is funded by the U.S. Treasury and state supplements.
SSI is designed to assist elderly individuals and those with disabilities who fall below a specified income level. Eligibility is determined by various factors, including:
- Minimal or no income, and
- Minimal or no assets, and
- A disability, blindness, or being aged 65 or older.
The maximum monthly benefit for an individual in 2024 is $943 and $1,415 for couples, assuming both are eligible.
It’s important to differentiate SSI from what’s often referred to as “disability” benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which relies on work history. SSDI provides benefits to those who are disabled and have contributed enough to Social Security through their earnings to qualify. In contrast, SSI does not require any work history.
September Social Security Payment Timeline
The SSA publishes its annual payment schedules in advance, and you can start preparing for next year with the already available 2025 calendar. Several months in 2025 will reflect a similar payment pattern as this September.
Recipients of standard Social Security retirement benefits will receive them on the scheduled dates this month, as follows:
- September 11: For those with birth dates from the 1st to the 10th
- September 18: For those with birth dates from the 11th to the 20th
- September 25: For those with birth dates from the 21st to the 31st
Easier SSI Applications Coming Soon
Recently, the SSA announced that a new, simplified application process for SSI benefits will be introduced later this year.
This upcoming online system, referred to as iClaim, will present clearer, straightforward questions designed to expedite the application process for both applicants and claims processors, according to a press release from the SSA.
Initially, not all applicants will have immediate access to this system upon rollout. The SSA indicated that the first phase in December will primarily cater to first-time applicants aged between 18 and nearly 65 who have never been married and are concurrently applying for Social Security benefits and SSI.
The following phase aiming to include all applicants is expected in 2025.
