The usual practice is for SSI checks to be credited on the first day of each month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. However, in March 2023, as per the Social Security Administration’s schedule of benefits, individuals receiving SSI benefits will receive two payments. In the event that you started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997 or if you are currently receiving both Social Security and SSI benefits, your Social Security payment will be deposited on March 3rd, while your SSI payments will be credited on March 1st and March 31st instead of the beginning of April.
Due to an idiosyncrasy in the payment calendar, individuals receiving SSI benefits receive two SSI payments in March, June, September, and December, with no payments credited in January, April, July, and October. This occurs when the first day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, and the additional payment may be regarded as an advance payment for the subsequent month.
Determine your federal Supplemental Security Income benefit amount
In the event that you do not receive your payment on the anticipated date, the Social Security Administration recommends waiting for three additional mailing days before reaching out to them. If you receive your payment through direct deposit, you should expect to receive it on the expected date, though this could be subject to the policies of your bank.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is designed to support individuals with a disability and low-income Social Security beneficiaries. The Social Security Administration administers the program and eligibility for SSI is based on the following criteria:
- Being 65 years of age or older
- Suffering from partial or complete blindness
- Having a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death
To determine your federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount, the Social Security Administration (SSA) subtracts your countable earned and unearned income from the maximum federal benefit amount. In 2023, the maximum monthly benefit amount is $914 for a qualifying individual, $1,371 for a qualifying couple, and $458 for an essential person. These maximum SSI amounts are subject to change based on yearly cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), which are linked to inflation. The 8.7% COLA increase in 2023 is responsible for the raise in maximum SSI benefits.
Benefits.com defines an SSI essential person as an individual who resides with an SSI beneficiary and provides crucial assistance. The criteria for being considered an essential person are stringent, so it is essential to verify that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for SSI benefits.
Several states and territories in the United States provide additional payments to supplement the federal SSI benefit, based on factors such as income and living arrangements. However, there are a few states and territories that do not offer any supplement to SSI recipients. These include Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, the Northern Mariana Islands, Tennessee, and West Virginia.