Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries who have been anticipating their January check may be surprised to find no payment in their bank account. However, this is not an error. SSI recipients received two payments in December, and as a result, no payment will be issued this month. Beneficiaries can expect their next payment to arrive in February or March. If this news is puzzling, we will explain the reasons behind it below.
Social Security Administration distributes SSI checks on the first day of each month, except when it falls on a weekend or holiday. Since January 1 fell on a weekend, the SSA sent the SSI check on the nearest business day, which was Friday, December 30. In contrast, recipients of Social Security and Social Security Disability Income receive their first COLA increase in January.
Why were SSI checks not cashed in January? Can it happen again in March?
The benefit amount on your most recent check in late December will be higher than the one you received earlier in the month. This is due to the annual cost-of-living adjustment made by the SSA to ensure that the payments keep up with inflation. In 2022, beneficiaries received an 8.7% increase in their benefit amount, which is the largest increase since 1981. This increase can provide much-needed relief to recipients as they face higher prices for essential goods and services due to inflation.
How can I ensure that the amount of SSI Check I received is correct?
If you have doubts about the amount you received and want to confirm its accuracy, you can refer to the letter sent by the SSA to beneficiaries in December containing the verified 2023 COLA amount. Another way to check your benefit amount is to log in to your My Social Security account message center, provided you created an account before Nov. 15. If you need to speak with an SSA representative to resolve any questions about your benefits, here’s how you can contact them.