Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are still being sent to the millions of people who are eligible for them this year. The program is funded by the federal government.
This money is meant to help people who are having trouble paying their bills because they are disabled, old, or do not have enough resources.
The maximum monthly benefit went up to $967 with the recent 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. Prices of goods and services went up last year because of inflation, and this increase is meant to make up for it.
Even though it was only slightly high, inflation hurt the finances of many beneficiaries, which is why this change was so important to keep their finances stable.
The next SSI payment date will be moved up by order of the SSA
One of the most important things about SSI is that it gives people monthly payments that are needed to pay for things like food, housing, and public services. With the COLA adjustment, the maximum monthly payment for 2025 will be $967. This is to account for rising prices and keep SSI recipients’ purchasing power.
When is SSI paid? It is usually on the first of the month, but sometimes it is not if that day is a federal holiday or weekend. In these situations, like when the next payment is due on February 1st, which is a Saturday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will push the payment back to January 31st to make sure that people continue to get money.
There are three ways for recipients to get their money, depending on what they prefer. Direct deposit is the most common and recommended way to get your money because it is safe and quick. Also, some beneficiaries choose the Direct Express Card instead, which lets them handle their payments without a bank account.
The paper check is the last choice. But the SSA says that direct deposit is better because there are fewer problems, like mail delays or lost checks. This suggestion is meant to make sure that the beneficiaries get their money on time and safely.
SSI eligibility criteria: Who can receive this financial boost?
SSI is for people who do not have a lot of money or resources. People with disabilities that make it hard for them to work, low-income adults over 65, and disabled children from low-income families are the most common groups that qualify.
People who get SSI do not have to show proof that they have worked in the past, which is different from other Social Security programs like SSDI. This means that someone can get SSI even if they have not worked enough, as long as they meet the established medical and financial requirements.
The SSA looks at two factors to decide who can get SSI. The applicant’s monthly income must be less than the SSA limits. This includes wages, pensions, and other benefits, but some incomes are not taken into account.
There are also limits on things like cash, bank accounts, and property, usually $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. A home and a main vehicle are two examples of things that are not included in these limits.
Health is the second factor that must be taken into account. For adults, it must be shown that they have a severe disability that keeps them from working for at least one year or until they die. When it comes to kids, how the disability affects their daily life is compared to how it affects other kids their age.
SSI and Social Security compatibility: You could get both
“Can I get Social Security and SSI at the same time?” is a question that thousands of people who get benefits ask themselves all the time. There are times when you can get both benefits at the same time, which is the answer.
Someone might be able to get both Social Security and SSI, for example, if they have the right kind of work history and not much money or other resources. People who get both SSI and retirement payments often end up in this kind of situation.
But there are limits to how much bundled payments can cost. In other words, the total amount a person gets can be changed so that it does not go over the limits set to protect SSI’s purpose as extra money.
Because of this, it is very important for beneficiaries to talk to the SSA about their specific situation to find out how both benefits work in their case.
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