Millions of Americans relying on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits will see changes in their payment schedules in the coming months. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced early disbursements for SSI payments due to weekends affecting the usual schedule. Additionally, recipients will see a modest increase in their monthly payments due to the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming payments and the reasons behind the schedule changes.
Early SSI Payments: What’s Changing?
Typically, SSI payments are sent on the first of every month, but when the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA moves up the payment date to avoid any financial disadvantages for beneficiaries. Due to this policy, January’s SSI payment will be issued on January 31, 2025, instead of February 1. Similarly, March’s SSI payment will arrive on February 28, 2025, as March 1 falls on a Saturday.
Payment Amounts and COLA Increase
The COLA increase of 2.5% for 2025 has resulted in the following maximum SSI benefit adjustments:
$967 per month for individual recipients.
$1,450 per month for couples.
$484 per month for essential persons providing care for SSI beneficiaries.
While this increase is lower than the 3.2% COLA boost in 2024 and significantly smaller than the 8.7% hike in 2023, it still offers some financial relief to beneficiaries, especially amid persistent inflation affecting necessities like housing, food, and insurance.
Do you receive Social Security benefits and need to change your address or phone number? Great news! You can now use our automated telephone services to make these changes. https://t.co/IauEY6rMTR. pic.twitter.com/7sY6uN9aeS
— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) January 18, 2025
Who Qualifies for SSI Payments?
SSI is designed to support low-income individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria. Beneficiaries generally include:
- Adults and children with disabilities that limit their ability to work or function independently.
- Blind individuals.
- Seniors (age 65 and older) with limited income and resources.
It’s important to note that receiving Social Security benefits does not automatically qualify someone for SSI—each program has separate eligibility requirements.
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When to Expect February’s Social Security and SSI Payments
Beneficiaries should mark the following key payment dates on their calendar:
| January 31, 2025 | Early SSI payment for February. |
| February 3, 2025 | Social Security payments for retirees who started receiving benefits before May 1997 |
| February 28, 2025 | Early SSI payment for March. |
For retirees who also receive SSI, these early payments may provide temporary financial relief. However, it’s crucial to remember that these adjustments do not equate to receiving extra payments—rather, they are simply arriving a day earlier than expected.
What to Do If Your Payment Is Delayed
If you do not receive your scheduled SSI or Social Security payment on time, the SSA advises waiting three business days before contacting them. If your payment still hasn’t arrived after this period, you can:
- Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Visit your local SSA office for assistance.
With early SSI payments scheduled for both January and February, beneficiaries should plan their finances accordingly. Although the 2025 COLA increase is modest, it still provides additional support to millions of Americans who rely on SSI and Social Security benefits. Staying informed about payment schedules and eligibility criteria will help recipients manage their budgets effectively and avoid financial disruptions.
