It is very important to receive your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment on time. For January 2025, the SSA schedule will change. SSI payments would be sent before the usual date because January 1, 2025, is a federal holiday – New Year’s Day. Let’s look at what this means for you, who will qualify, how to prepare for the changes, and when you can expect to get paid.
Social Security update: why January’s SSI payment is early
Planning ahead for your SSI payment is crucial, especially when the schedule changes. For January 2025, SSI payments will arrive earlier than usual. Why? January 1 is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday, so the Social Security Administration (SSA) will send out payments earlier than expected. This ensures you get your benefits before the holiday.
Who will receive the early SSI payment?
If you rely on SSI benefits, you are in luck – this early payment applies to all beneficiaries. The SSA takes proactive steps to prevent delays caused by weekends or federal holidays. Here is who qualifies for the early payment:
- Individuals receiving SSI benefits
- Eligible couples who qualify jointly
- Essential persons, which refers to individuals who provide necessary care for an SSI recipient and live with them
If you are part of these groups, you can expect your January payment on December 31, just in time for any New Year’s plans.
How much will SSI beneficiaries get?
Aside from eligibility, the amount of SSI benefit you receive also depends on the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Here are the amounts for January:
- Individuals: $967
- Couples: $1,450
- Essential persons: $484
These figures show an increase over the last years as it is meant to offset the increase in the cost of living for the year. For the 2025 COLA adjustment, if you are unsure about the specific amount you will receive, check your “my social security account” or contact the SSA.
How to prepare for the December 31 payment
Below are a few steps that can help you to keep everything under control:
- Reconfirm your payment details: It’s important to check whether the details you updated and provided for your direct deposits or prepaid debit cards are still up to date, accurate, and right.
- Budget planning: Early payments in January imply a longer lapsed period till February, when payment arrives on February 1.
- Track your deposit: By December 31, check your bank account or payment card balance to confirm that your funds have been deposited.
Why does the SSA adjust payment dates?
Payment date adjustment has been an old practice in SSA when the date of the first of a month falls on a weekend or federal holiday. In this case, beneficiaries will not have to experience any further delays. Payments for January 2025 will be adjusted to the last business day in the previous month, which would be December 31. This is part of the SSA’s provisions to ensure your payments get to you on time.
Social Security Form SSA-89: How to fill out the authorization to release a SSN verification
Tips for new SSI beneficiaries
You could be feeling a little overwhelmed if you are new to SSI. Here is what can help you:
- Understand the schedule for your payment: SSI payments are usually deposited on the first of the month, but this may be adjusted due to a holiday or the weekend.
- Choose the direct deposit option: The most secure and rapid way to receive benefits is through direct deposit.
- Track COLA Updates: The SSA annually adjusts benefits based on inflation, so keep up with any changes in your benefit amount.
