What’s Behind the November Extra Check for SSI Recipients?

According to Marca, If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may notice an unusual payment schedule this November: two SSI checks will be issued in one month, with none scheduled for December. This situation, while confusing, is a routine scheduling quirk from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that occurs from time to time.

Understanding the Payment Schedule

The SSA typically sends SSI payments on the first day of each month. However, when the first falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are issued on the last business day of the previous month. This year, December 1 falls on a Sunday, prompting the SSA to issue December’s SSI payment early, on Friday, November 29.

As a result, SSI recipients will receive both their regular November 1 payment and the early December payment on November 29, leading to a gap in payments for December. For approximately 7.4 million SSI recipients in 2024, this adjustment can significantly impact monthly financial planning.

Implications for December

This isn’t the first occurrence of a double payment month—similar situations have happened before, such as in August. While the November 29 payment could provide some relief just before the holiday season, it may also require careful budgeting since there will be no payment in December.

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Understanding this timing helps prevent confusion regarding the absence of a December check. For those concerned about planning, the SSA offers a downloadable payment calendar outlining the entire year’s schedule for SSI recipients.

Looking Ahead to 2025

This year’s double-payment timing is particularly significant as beneficiaries prepare for 2025. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year is expected to be smaller than in 2024, with a 2.5% increase projected, meaning most recipients will receive about $50 more per month. SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley emphasizes that this adjustment aims to “help people keep up with expenses as inflation eases,” though it is considerably less substantial than increases seen in previous years.

Conclusion

While SSA schedules can sometimes be tricky, these adjustments are designed to ensure that individuals who depend on SSI experience no gaps in their monthly support, even when the calendar presents challenges.