The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides monthly payments to low-income individuals who are age 65 or older, legally blind, or have disabilities, is undergoing some changes that may cause confusion for beneficiaries in 2025.
These changes include months with double payments and months where no payments will be issued. Here’s everything you need to know about the SSI payment schedule and what to expect for the remainder of 2025.
Why Aren’t There SSI Payments Every Month?
Normally, SSI payments are issued on the first day of each month. However, when the first day of the month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will advance the payment to the last business day of the previous month. This can result in some months having “double payments” and others having “no payments.”
What to Expect for the Rest of 2025
For the remainder of 2025, the SSI payment schedule will look different. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming months:
July 2025: Payments were issued on July 1st as usual, with no adjustments.
August 2025: Beneficiaries will receive two payments:
August 1st for the August payment.
August 29th for the September payment, issued early because September 1st falls on a weekend. This means no payment will be issued in September, but you’ll already have received the September payment on August 29th.
October 2025: Two payments will be issued:
October 1st for the October payment.
October 31st for the November payment, issued in advance because November 1st falls on a weekend.
November 2025: There will be no payment, as the November payment was already made on October 31st.
December 2025: Two payments will be issued:
December 1st for the December payment.
December 31st for the January 2026 payment, issued in advance because January 1st falls on a weekend.
These changes mean that some months will have double payments, and others will have no payments at all, which could lead to confusion among recipients. However, if you’ve received an early payment, it’s not missing—it’s just been issued in advance.
If You’re Still Receiving SSI by Paper Check, You Need to Change It Urgently
While nearly 99% of SSI beneficiaries receive payments via direct deposit, about 480,000 recipients still receive paper checks. If you are among them, the SSA recommends waiting three additional business days before reporting a missing payment. Paper checks can experience mail delays, so it’s important to be patient.
However, there’s another critical update for those receiving paper checks: All paper checks will be phased out by September 30, 2025. Starting October 1, 2025, all payments will be made electronically. This means that if you are still receiving paper checks, you need to switch to direct deposit or a digital wallet as soon as possible.
You can opt for direct deposit into your bank account or use a SSA Direct Express card for electronic payments. Alternatively, you can have your payments sent to a digital wallet, though you should confirm with your local SSA office that your preferred wallet is accepted.
How to Make the Switch to Direct Deposit
To avoid delays and ensure your payments are processed smoothly, it’s important to switch to direct deposit before the September 2025 deadline. You can do this by:
Visiting Your Social Security account online at ssa.gov and updating your payment preferences.
Contacting your local SSA office to request a Direct Express card or to set up direct deposit to your bank account.
