In a few short days, individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Security Income program by the Social Security Administration can expect their second payment for the month of June. Due to a scheduling anomaly in the SSA’s calendar, this payment, worth a maximum of $914 for individual filers, will be issued on June 30. It serves as the follow-up to the initial payment disbursed on June 1.
The amount of money received by each beneficiary varies depending on their filing status—whether they file individually, jointly, or as an essential person. As per the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals filing individually receive a maximum monthly payment of $914, eligible couples receive up to $1,371, and essential persons (those living with SSI recipients and providing necessary care) receive a monthly payment of $458.
Beneficiaries for a Social Security single payment
Normally, beneficiaries receive a single payment each month. However, June presents a unique occurrence where a second payment is issued due to an intriguing aspect of the Social Security Administration’s schedule. This situation arises when the first day of the following month falls on a weekend. Hence, the double payment for June substitutes July’s payment, as July 1 falls on a Saturday this year.
This adjusted schedule ensures that beneficiaries receive a total of 12 payments throughout the year, even though some months involve two payments while others have none. In 2023, there are four months—March, June, September, and December—where two payments will be delivered in the same month. This situation arises because April, July, and October have their first day falling on a weekend, while January 1 is always observed as a holiday.
It’s important to note that SSI payments are separate from regular Social Security benefits provided to retirees. The program aims to offer monthly payments to adults and children with limited incomes who have blindness or other disabilities, in addition to their regular Social Security benefits.
To be eligible for SSI, an individual must meet certain criteria, which include being over 65 years old, having partial blindness, or experiencing severe limitations in their daily activities due to physical or mental conditions lasting for at least 12 months or potentially resulting in death.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) began disbursing SSI payments in January 1974. Since 1975, the agency has implemented regular adjustments to payment rates to account for changes in the cost of living.