In December, Social Security and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits will be paid out again. Every month, these payments help more than 72 million people in the United States. The exact date they get their benefits depends on things like their date of birth or the type of benefit they are entitled to.
The SSI program, which is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), helps older people, blind people, and people with disabilities who don’t have a lot of money. SSI payments are usually made at the start of every month. Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits are given out at different times depending on different factors.
December 2024 SSI payment schedule
With a few exceptions for holidays and other changes, payments will follow the SSA’s normal calendar in December. Here are the important dates to remember:
December 1
- SSI payments for December will be issued on this date.
- Social Security recipients who began receiving benefits before July 1997 will also receive their payments on this day.
December 13
- Beneficiaries with birthdays falling between the 1st and the 10th of any month will receive their Social Security payments.
December 20
- Social Security recipients born between the 11th and the 20th of any month will receive their benefits on this date.
December 27
- Payments for beneficiaries born between the 21st and the 31st of any month will be distributed on this day.
December 29
- Due to the New Year’s Day holiday, payments for January 2025 will be advanced to December 29 for SSI recipients and Social Security beneficiaries who began collecting benefits before July 1997.
What to do if you don’t receive your payment
The SSA says you should wait at least three business days before calling their office if your scheduled payment does not arrive. If your payment is still missing after this amount of time, you should contact them right away so that any problems can be fixed. Delays can happen, but if you act quickly, any problems with your benefits will be fixed as soon as possible.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025
Thanks to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), Social Security and SSI benefits will go up by 2.5% in January 2025. This change is meant to help beneficiaries keep their purchasing power even though prices are going up because of inflation.
Even though the 2025 COLA increase isn’t as big as some in recent years—for example, the 2023 adjustment was 8.7% because of very high inflation—it’s still a big deal for the millions of people who depend on these benefits.
Martin O’Malley, the commissioner of Social Security, said in October that Social Security and SSI payments would go up in 2025. This would help tens of millions of people keep up with their bills as inflation began to slow down. The SSA wants to make sure that beneficiaries don’t fall behind as the cost of living changes, and this increase shows that they are serious about doing that.
Why are some payments advanced?
The SSA sometimes moves up scheduled payments to avoid delays caused by holidays or weekends. This happened with the December 29 payment. This makes sure that the people who are supposed to get the money don’t have to wait longer than necessary.
It is important to know that advance payments are not extra cash or extra payments. The only thing they mean is the regular benefit for the next month. For instance, the payment on December 29 is for benefits that start in January 2025 and is not an extra amount.
Tips for managing SSI and Social Security payments
To get the most out of your benefits and avoid problems, think about these suggestions:
Stay informed about payment dates
Familiarize yourself with the SSA’s monthly payment calendar to prevent misunderstandings or delays. Knowing when to expect your funds can help you plan your expenses more effectively.
Keep your banking and contact information updated
If you change your bank account or move to a new address, notify the SSA immediately. This ensures your payments are deposited correctly and on time.
Utilize online resources
The SSA’s online portal makes it easy to keep track of your payments, see information about your benefits, and let them know about changes to your account. Checking your online account often can help you stay up to date and take care of any problems right away.
A lot of people depend on their payments to arrive on time in December, so the SSA is very busy. Whether you get SSI, Social Security, or both, knowing the schedule and any changes that might happen can make a big difference in making sure you can pay your bills.
You can go through the process with confidence and peace of mind if you stay informed and take action.
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