The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not issue monthly payments on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024. This scheduling choice stems from two main factors: Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, and the SSA’s payment schedule avoids holiday delays by moving disbursements to the prior business day.
Here’s an overview of how this affects Social Security payments in November, including specific dates for retirement, SSDI, and SSI payments.
Why Social Security Payments Are Not Issued on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving as a Federal Holiday
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, which means all federal offices, banks, and financial institutions are closed. The SSA does not issue payments on federal holidays, and to avoid any potential delays, they ensure that funds are delivered on an alternative date.
SSA’s Payment Schedule for November
For most Social Security beneficiaries, monthly payments are issued on Wednesdays, depending on the recipient’s birth date. Since Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, SSA avoids this date altogether, sticking to its standard Wednesday disbursement plan. Here’s how the November schedule works for those receiving retirement and SSDI benefits:
- November 13: Recipients with birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
- November 20: Recipients with birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
- November 27: Recipients with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st
This approach ensures that all recipients have access to their funds without holiday-related delays.
Social Security Payments After Thanksgiving
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, the SSA has scheduled an additional payment date on November 29, 2024, also known as Black Friday, which follows Thanksgiving. This payment will provide SSI recipients with their monthly benefit, ensuring timely access to funds, particularly during the holiday season.
| Payment Date | Eligible Recipients |
|---|---|
| November 13 | Retirement or SSDI; Birthdays 1-10 |
| November 20 | Retirement or SSDI; Birthdays 11-20 |
| November 27 | Retirement or SSDI; Birthdays 21-31 |
| November 29 | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients |
Eligibility for November Social Security Payments
To qualify for Social Security payments on the scheduled dates in November, recipients must meet the following conditions:
- Retirement and SSDI Beneficiaries: You must have a birthdate matching the specific payment dates (as outlined above) and have been receiving benefits after April 30, 1997.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients: SSI payments are disbursed on the first of each month unless this date falls on a weekend or holiday. In November, SSI recipients will receive their monthly payment on November 29, 2024, the day after Thanksgiving.
Important Tips for Social Security Recipients
- Monitor Payment Dates: Keeping track of your scheduled payment date ensures timely access to funds, particularly around holidays.
- Plan Around Bank Closures: Since financial institutions are closed on Thanksgiving, ensure you’ve budgeted for holiday spending and account for any potential delays on holiday weekends.
- Stay Updated: The SSA’s official website provides regular updates on payment schedules, holidays, and COLA increases.
By following this schedule, Social Security recipients can expect their payments on time, with the SSA prioritizing early disbursement over delays, especially during holiday periods.
With payment dates clearly set for each recipient category, this ensures that individuals relying on Social Security have reliable access to their benefits.
