A vast number of people within the United States receive monthly benefit payments. These can be either for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security.
A certain portion of these individuals qualify to receive payment from both programs.
SSI benefits provide a measure of financial aid to disabled individuals as well as to those aged 65 years and older who have a very limited amount of resources and income. These SSI programs do make a difference in trying to survive the high cost of living.
Key elements from both of these programs
Both of these programs run independently. Social Security benefits are payable after contributions throughout the individual’s career. Funding is derived from the payroll tax. This is paid by both workers and employers. No resource or income limits become applicable. Social Security benefits are taxable, based on the income and filing status of the beneficiary. The SSI program is based on a needs system based on resources and income.
Finance is sourced from the US Treasury and obtained from general funds. SSI payments also allow the individual eligibility for some other need-based programs. Depending on residential geography, food assistance, Medicaid, and supplemental payments may also be a further consideration. Candidates applying for the SSI program should reside within the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands. They should be US citizens or qualified aliens.
Opening up the payment calendar
The SSA has devised a specific system to help allocate payments. SSI payments are made on the 1st of each month. If this day overlaps with a weekend or public holiday, the payment is issued on the business day before. Social Security benefits claimed pre-May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of each month. According to the Social Security payment schedule, post-May 1997 claimants have their benefits allocated on a birthdate-based system:
- Birthdays ranging from the 1st to the 10th of the month
- Payment dates are allocated to the 2nd Wednesday of the month.
- Birthdays ranging from the 11th to the 20th of the month
- Payment dates are allocated to the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
- Birthdays ranging from the 21st to the 31st of the month
- Payment dates are allocated to the 4th Wednesday of the month.
With the calendar as a baseline, it is crucial to understand how the financial information interlinks with this. Retirement benefits for the average Social Security payment amount to $1,979 monthly. The maximum benefit amount is variable, influenced by the actual retirement age, full retirement age, etc. Individual benefits are considered according to earnings and tax contributions.
Deconstructing all that is Supplemental Security Income
The payment schedule for the Supplemental Security Income payments can be found on the website of the Social Security Administration. The average SSI payment, according to the maximum benefit payable, can be calculated at $1,450 for a couple and $97 for an individual claimant. The actual amounts paid can be lower as these figures are based on living situations, other eligibility factors, and income. A quick snippet of the 2025 calendar is:
- May 2025 payment – 1 May 2025
- June 2025 payment – 30 May 2025
- July 2025 payment – 1 July 2025
- August 2025 payment – 1 August 2025
- September 2025 payment – 30 August 2025
- October 2025 – 1 October 2025
- November 2025 – 31 October 2025
- December 2025 – 1 December 2025
- January 2026 – 31 December 2025
Based on the above, certain instances may occur where individuals can receive three benefit payments during one month. A good example is if the individual receives both SSI and SSA payments (pre-May 1997), the SSI payment will be on the 1st and the 30th, with the SSA benefit payment on the 2nd. These ‘extra’ payments should be well budgeted for.
The Social Security Administration has a wealth of information available on its website, which can help individuals to properly manage these benefit-related matters. Alternatively, the SSA offices also provide a similar service.
