Millions of Americans relying on Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program will experience a gap in their monthly payments this September due to a scheduling oddity. SSI recipients, including disabled adults and low-income seniors, typically receive their payments on the first day of each month. However, because September 1 fell on a Sunday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent out the September payment early—on Friday, August 30—leaving no scheduled payment for September.
This is not a new issue, as the SSA plans its annual payment calendar well in advance. Nevertheless, many of the 7.5 million recipients of SSI may still be caught off guard, especially if they were unaware of the payment schedule shift. The next scheduled SSI payment will arrive on Tuesday, October 1.
By contrast, regular Social Security retirement benefits remain unaffected. These payments are issued based on recipients’ birth dates, with deposits for September scheduled as follows:
- September 11: Birthdays between the 1st and 10th
- September 18: Birthdays between the 11th and 20th
- September 25: Birthdays between the 21st and 31st
Upcoming Changes to SSI Application Process
In addition to the calendar quirk, the SSA recently announced plans to simplify its SSI application process. Starting in December, the new online system will streamline applications with plain-language questions and auto-filled responses where possible. The SSA’s aim is to make the process less cumbersome and reduce the time it takes to process claims.
This overhaul will first be available to first-time SSI applicants between the ages of 18 and 65, who are also applying for Social Security benefits. By late 2025, the simplified system will expand to include all SSI applicants, providing much-needed ease for individuals seeking financial assistance through this vital safety net.
