If you’re a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your payments for December 2024 will look a little different.
Due to scheduling and Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA), the Social Security Administration (SSA) has laid out important changes that will impact the amounts and timing of these payments.
SSI Payment Schedule for December 2024
In December 2024, SSI recipients will receive two payments:
- November 29, 2024: This payment is for December’s benefits, and it’s arriving early since the regular SSI payday of December 1 falls on a Sunday.
- December 31, 2024: This payment will cover January 2025’s benefits, and it will include the annual COLA increase.
The reason for the early December 31st payment is that SSI payments are usually sent on the first of the month. Since January 1, 2025, falls on a holiday, the SSA will issue the payment a day earlier.
The COLA Adjustment for 2025
The big reason for the different payment amounts in December 2024 is the 2.5% COLA increase. This annual adjustment helps Social Security and SSI benefits keep up with inflation.
Starting with the payment on December 31, 2024, SSI recipients will see the impact of this increase, which will reflect in their January 2025 benefit.
While a 2.5% increase may seem modest compared to the COLA adjustments in previous years, it still represents an important boost for millions of low-income recipients.
New SSI Maximum Payment Amounts
Here’s how the new COLA will affect maximum SSI payments in 2025:
| Category | 2024 Amount | 2025 Amount (After COLA) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $943 | $967 |
| Eligible Couples | $1,415 | $1,450 |
| Essential Person | $472 | $484 |
For example, if you’re currently receiving $1,000 as a couple, your new benefit will increase to $1,025 per month. Over the course of a year, this COLA increase would give you $300 extra.
Who Qualifies for SSI?
SSI is designed to help low-income individuals who are disabled, blind, or 65 years or older. To qualify, you must meet certain income and resource limits.
The SSA will assess your financial situation, and any additional income or resources you have may reduce the amount of SSI you can receive.
For those struggling with basic living expenses, such as food, recipients can also apply for SNAP benefits to receive additional assistance.
The changes to the SSI payment schedule and the COLA increase mean that SSI recipients will see different amounts in December and January.
While the November 29 payment covers December’s benefits, the December 31 payment includes the COLA boost for January 2025. For many low-income individuals, this small increase will help cover the rising costs of living.
FAQs
Why is there no SSI payment on December 1, 2024?
December’s SSI payment will be made early, on November 29, 2024, because December 1 falls on a weekend.
What is the COLA increase for 2025?
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025 is 2.5%, which will raise SSI payments starting on December 31, 2024.
What are the new maximum SSI amounts after COLA?
The maximum SSI payments after COLA will be $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples.
When will the COLA increase take effect?
The COLA increase will take effect with the SSI payment on December 31, 2024, for January 2025 benefits.
Can I apply for other benefits like SNAP with SSI?
Yes, SSI recipients can apply for SNAP benefits if they need help buying food.
