Millions of Social Security recipients will experience a disruption in their benefit payments this month due to an unusual timing issue caused by the calendar.
This situation specifically affects individuals who rely on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides crucial financial assistance to disabled adults and low-income seniors.
No SSI Payments in September
SSI recipients will not receive a benefit check in September.
This disruption is a result of how the payment schedule aligns with the dates this year, creating an unexpected gap in payments for many beneficiaries.
Payment Schedule Quirk Explained
This quirk in the payment schedule is not a new occurrence. The Social Security Administration (SSA) establishes its payment calendar well ahead of time, setting dates for the entire year in advance.
However, despite the pre-planning, many SSI beneficiaries may still be surprised by this change, especially if they were unaware of the payment timing shift.
September 1 Falling on a Sunday
Ordinarily, SSI checks are issued on the first day of each month. But this year, because September 1 fell on a Sunday, the SSA processed and sent out the September payments earlier than usual, on Friday, August 30.
As a result, there will be no scheduled SSI payment in September, with the next check arriving on Tuesday, October 1.
Number of Americans Receiving SSI
Currently, approximately 7.5 million Americans receive SSI benefits. According to SSA data, the maximum benefit amount is capped at $943 per individual per month.
In contrast, the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit is significantly higher, at around $1,907.
Regular Social Security Payments Unaffected
Seniors who receive standard Social Security retirement benefits will continue to receive their payments as usual this month.
The distribution of these payments is determined by the recipient’s birthdate, ensuring regularity in their arrival.
Scheduled Payment Dates for September
For September, the regular Social Security payments are scheduled to be made on three key dates. People born between the 1st and 10th of the month will receive their payments on September 11.
Those born between the 11th and 20th will get theirs on September 18, while individuals born between the 21st and 31st will receive payments on September 25.
Plans to Overhaul SSI Application Process
In addition to the payment schedule update, the SSA has recently announced plans to overhaul the application process for Supplemental Security Income.
The upcoming changes are designed to make applying for SSI more efficient and less burdensome for applicants.
Introducing the iClaim System
Beginning in December, the SSA will introduce a new online application system called iClaim. This system will streamline the process by using plain-language questions and automatically filling in certain information to save applicants time and effort.
The goal is to make the process easier while speeding up claims processing.
Statement from Commissioner Martin O’Malley
“People in our communities who need this crucial safety net deserve the dignity of an application process that is less burdensome and more accessible than what we now have”
“We’re committed to achieving that vision over the next few years,” said Martin O’Malley, the Social Security Commissioner, in a statement about the planned improvements.
Phase One of the Application Overhaul
The initial rollout of the updated application system will focus on first-time applicants who are between the ages of 18 and 65, have never been married, and are applying for both Social Security benefits and SSI at the same time.
This phase will begin in December 2024.
Phase Two and Future Expansion
A second phase of the overhaul is scheduled for late 2025.
During this phase, the streamlined application process will be expanded to include all SSI applicants, further enhancing accessibility for a broader group of individuals in need of financial support.
