Say Goodbye to This Social Security Check in September – List of Retirees Who Won’t Receive Payments

As September approaches, some Social Security beneficiaries, particularly those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), will notice a change in their payment schedule. This shift results from a planned modification, and SSI recipients already received their September payment on August 30, due to the first of September falling on a Sunday. SSI is a program designed to help low-income Americans who are blind, disabled, or over 65, with limited resources. In July 2024, about 7.4 million people received these benefits, with an average monthly payment of $696.

Changes

Normally, SSI payments are made on the first of each month. However, when the first falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is issued on the preceding business day. In the case of September 2024, since September 1 falls on a Sunday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) moved the payment to Friday, August 30. This slight adjustment is important for beneficiaries to be aware of so that there is no confusion regarding their September check.

This type of schedule adjustment will also happen in December 2024 and January 2025. December 1 is a Sunday, so the payment will be made on Friday, November 29. Similarly, January 1 is a holiday, so the payment will arrive on December 31.

Schedule

For those receiving both Social Security and SSI benefits, or who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, their payments will continue as usual on September 3, 2024.

For everyone else, the payment schedule depends on your birthdate:

• Birthdate between the 1st and 10th: Payment on September 11
• Birthdate between the 11th and 20th: Payment on September 18
• Birthdate between the 21st and 31st: Payment on September 25

These scheduled payment dates ensure that beneficiaries receive their Social Security checks on time, based on their date of birth.

Amounts

The amount you receive from Social Security varies depending on the program you’re enrolled in and your personal circumstances, such as age, work history, contributions, and, in the case of SSI, your income and resources. Here’s a breakdown of the average Social Security payments per program:

While these are the average amounts, individuals may receive different amounts based on their specific eligibility criteria. For example, retirees who claim at age 62 receive less than those who wait until 70, and blind SSDI recipients may qualify for higher payments than other SSDI beneficiaries.

SSI Applications

In addition to the changes in the payment schedule, the Social Security Administration is introducing enhancements to the SSI application process. Starting in December 2024, certain applicants will be able to use an improved online SSI application. This new system, part of the “iClaim expansion,” aims to make the SSI application process faster and more user-friendly.

Initially, the enhanced application will be available to single, first-time applicants between the ages of 18 and 65. According to SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley, the long-term vision is to roll out this streamlined process to all applicants by late 2025. This is a significant development, as the current application process is often criticized for being lengthy and complicated. The SSA’s goal is to simplify the experience, providing applicants with the dignity of a more efficient and accessible process.

Key Takeaways

Knowing the changes in the payment schedule and amounts for Social Security and SSI benefits is essential to avoid confusion and ensure proper financial planning. While SSI beneficiaries received their September payment early, other Social Security recipients should expect their payments according to the regular schedule. Furthermore, improvements in the SSI application process aim to make things easier for new applicants in the near future.

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