Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an essential benefit for millions of people in the United States, especially those who depend on it to meet their basic needs. SSI is a federal program designed to support seniors, people with disabilities and citizens with limited incomes by providing them with financial help to meet the cost of living in the United States. For those who get it, SSI represents vital income and is looked forward to each month with great anticipation.
One of the key aspects of this program is the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), an annual adjustment applied to offset the effect of inflation on the purchasing power of recipients. This adjustment allows the value of SSI to remain aligned with changes in the economy, although it is only applied once a year. However, this annual adjustment takes effect in January, so November payments do not yet reflect the 2025 COLA.
In November, recipients will get two SSI payments instead of one. While this is good news for many, it is important to clarify the reasons behind this double item and the details about the absence of the 2025 COLA in this month’s payments.
When does SSI arrive in November?
SSI recipients will get two payments in November. The first payment will be issued as usual at the beginning of the month, on November 1. However, the second payment will arrive at the end of the month, on November 29, and corresponds to an advance of the December check. This occurs when the first day of a month falls on a weekend or holiday, as is the case in December, allowing beneficiaries to have their funds in time.
This advance ensures that SSI recipients do not face delays in their December payment and can arrange their finances more comfortably. So, although they will technically only get one monthly payment in December, having both payments in November provides them with the same coverage with no variation in the regular schedule.
In any case, we must keep in mind that the method of collection means that we may or may not get the SSI on the same day of shipment. If we have activated this collection method, the money will appear in the bank account on the same day of the shipment. If not, we will only have to wait a few days.
Why doesn’t the November SSI include the COLA 2025?
It is important to note that the November SSI will not reflect the 2025 COLA, as this adjustment will be applied to next year’s January payments. In November, the payment is still governed by the 2024 COLA adjustment , which means that the amount is higher than the 2023 COLA, but does not include next year’s increase.
The 2025 COLA, which will be 2.5%, will take effect as of the first payment in January. Until then, beneficiaries will continue to get payments adjusted with the 2024 COLA, which ensures that their income is not reduced from last year, but also does not reflect the increase corresponding to next year’s adjustment.
For beneficiaries, this information is critical, as it clarifies the reasons behind the absence of the 2025 COLA in November and allows them to better plan their finances in the final months of 2024. Thus, by getting the adjustment in January, they will be able to start the year with an increase that will help them cope with the new projected cost of living.
