According to the official information from the Social Security Administration (SSA), there is still one SSI check scheduled to be mailed before the year ends. On December 31st, beneficiaries from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program will receive the last payment of the year. However, beneficiaries should be aware that this is an extra payment, as the first of January falls on a holiday. Social Security beneficiaries from this program usually receive their benefits on the first day of every month, unless that day falls on a weekend or federal holiday. For this reason, whenever this scenario happens, the SSA reschedules that payment for the preceding business day to avoid beneficiaries being financially jeopardized. If you currently qualify for these benefits or are looking forward to applying, learn more about the last SSI check here.
There is only one SSI check remaining to be paid from the 2024 schedule
Every month, recipients of the Supplemental Security Income program get a variable payment amount according to the category they choose when filing their application, as well as their income and resources. For instance, recipients who meet all financial conditions could earn on average $698 per month. Those who filed as individuals or couples could earn $943 and $1,415 per month, respectively. Finally, there is another category known as the essential person (EP); thus, if an eligible recipient fits this requirement, they may earn an additional $472 payment.
According to the Social Security Administration website, an essential person is someone who has lived in the home of a qualifying individual since December 1973, was not eligible for state assistance in December 1973, and has never been eligible for SSI payments on his or her own or as an eligible spouse. Since meeting all requirements can be challenging, it is important to always check your unique circumstances before applying for this federal program. Once you are accepted, remember you can always check all your information on your My Social Security Account, where you can download financial statements and request additional processes related to Social Security.
Nonetheless, as this is an advanced payment from January 2025, SSI recipients will earn more money due to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) that was announced in October. Based on the official COLA increase for 2025, all Social Security beneficiaries will get an extra 2.5% in their monthly checks. This means that recipients of the Supplemental Security Income program will get the following payment amounts on December 31st:
SSI benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
On average | $698 | $715 | $17 |
Individuals | $943 | $967 | $24 |
Couples | $1,415 | $1,450 | $35 |
Essential person | $472 | $484 | $12 |
When will retirees, survivors, and disabled people receive their increased Social Security payments?
Since Social Security goes beyond the Supplemental Security Income, beneficiaries from the retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) program will also receive their annual boost from the cost of living adjustment (COLA) in January 2025. The first beneficiaries that will get their increased Social Security payments will be those who claimed benefits before May 1997 on the third day of the month. After that payment, beneficiaries will get their checks on a staggered payment schedule based on the day they were born. Below you will see how much money these recipients will earn as of next year:
Retirement benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
On average | $1,900 | $1,948 | $48 |
Age 62 | $2,710 | $2,778 | $68 |
Age 67 | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
Age 70 | $4,873 | $4,995 | $122 |
Survivor benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
On average | $1,505 | $1,543 | $38 |
Individual | $1,773 | $1,817 | $44 |
2 Children | $3,653 | $3,744 | $91 |
Disability benefits | Social Security checks | 2.5% COLA increase | Extra income |
On average | $1,537 | $1,575 | $38 |
Blind recipients | $2,590 | $2,655 | $65 |
Maximum payment | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
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