Due to a calendar error, millions of Social Security beneficiaries will not receive benefits this month. The issue affects seniors with low incomes and disabled adults who receive Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income, or SSI.
The anomaly is not new since the Social Security Administration establishes its annual payment schedule well in advance of the year.
Rude Surprise
However, for some beneficiaries who were neither prepared for nor aware of the change in payment dates, the absence of a payment this month may still come as a rude surprise.
SSI beneficiaries typically receive their checks on the first of each month. However, SSI payments for the month were sent out on August 30 because September 1 fell on a Sunday this year.
Skipping a Month
This calendar layout indicates that the subsequent SSI checks will not be deposited in September and will be deposited on Tuesday, October 1.
Around 7.5 million individuals are in receipt of SSI benefits, with the highest month-to-month benefit set at $943 per individual, as indicated by Social Security information.
Regular Checks
In contrast, the monthly benefit payment for Social Security retirement benefits is on average $1,907.
Seniors who get regular Social Security retirement benefits will receive their checks as usual this month. Your checks are sent out regularly monthly depending on the day of the month on which your birthday falls in the pension system.
September Payments
The following dates will be used to deposit the payments for the month of September:
September 11: People born between the 1st and the 10th of the month
September 18: Those who were born between the 11th and the 20th of the month
September 25: Individuals with birthdays that fall between the 21st and the 31st
Overhauled Application
Independently, the Social Security Administration said last week that it is rejigging its application process for Supplemental Security Income.
The agency’s statement says that the new system will start in December with an easier-to-use online application. The iClaim is a simplified initial application that uses plan-language questions and will, whenever possible, pre-populate questions with answers.
“Less Burdensome and More Accessible”
The objective of overhauling the application is to expedite the processing of claims and reduce the amount of time and effort required to complete the form.
According to Martin O’Malley, commissioner of Social Security, “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, and we’re committed to achieving that vision over the next few years.”
Initial Rollout
According to the agency, the initial rollout will target first-time applicants aged 18 to 65 who have never been married and are simultaneously applying for SSI and Social Security benefits.
It added that all SSI applicants will be included in the second phase of the rollout, which is scheduled for late 2025.
Latest Figures
As per data released from the end of July, 7.4 million people received SSI benefits with the average payment for monthly benefits being $696.
The anomaly with the issue of payments will be repeated in December of this year and January of next year as the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday meaning the rescheduled dates will be November 29th and December 31st.
“Achieving that Vision”
O’Malley speaking on the overhauled application process stated, “Over the past year, we have asked many applicants and advocates – as well as our workforce – how we could make the SSI application process easier and simpler.”
“Now, we are taking an important first step to do just that… we’re committed to achieving that vision over the next few years”
Application Expansion
While the first phase of the new iClaim expansion will only be available to a select cohort, the second phase will open up to all applicants.
This second phase is being targeted for late 2025. As the iClaim expands into in-person, phone, mobile, and paper-based processes for SSI applications, SSI simplification steps will take into account the lessons from this rollout.
Processing Applications
From data back in the late 2010s the SSA typically took between 110 to 120 days to process an initial application for disability benefits.
However, since the pandemic that waiting time has ballooned to an average of 230 days from data on the first eight months of the 2024 federal fiscal year.
This comes on top of an average wait of seven months for appealing a denied claim.
