If you receive SSI or Social Security benefits, there is good news as the year concludes. Between November and December, beneficiaries may get up to five payments, including the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This payment schedule provides extra assistance to start the new year, helping to handle the increased expenses that sometimes accompany the holiday season.
These planned payments give critical coverage before the year-end holidays arrive. Except for the payment due on December 31, which will include the 2025 COLA rise, each payment will remain the same.
What are the SSI and Social Security payments in November?
Throughout November, the Social Security Administration will send up to five payments to various beneficiary groups. Here are the key dates to keep in mind:
- November 1: This is the monthly SSI payment for November, designated for recipients of Supplemental Security Income.
- November 1: Payment for Group 2 retirees, which includes those who began receiving benefits after May 1997 and have birthdays between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- November 20: Payment for retirees in Group 3, whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th.
- November 27: Payment for Group 4 retirees, born between the 21st and 31st.
- November 29: An additional SSI payment, advanced due to December 1 falling on a weekend. Although technically the December payment, this advance ensures beneficiaries can access their funds without delay.
What Social Security and SSI payments come in December?
In December, Social Security payments will follow the usual schedule for each retiree group, with an additional SSI payment at the end of the month that will include the COLA increase for 2025. Here are the important dates:
- December 11: First payment for Group 2 retirees.
- December 18: Payment for Group 3 beneficiaries, with birthdays from the 11th to the 20th.
- December 25: Payment for Group 4 retirees, those born between the 21st and 31st.
- December 31: An additional SSI payment that includes the 2025 COLA increase.
This final annual payment is especially significant because it introduces the COLA increase for SSI in advance, on December 31, allowing beneficiaries to access these enhanced funds right as they head into the holiday season.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-177533853-f14e03d1d1a84ad28ae3af038ad1d12d.jpg)
How the COLA adjustment works and when it starts
The COLA, or Cost-of-Living Adjustment, is based on the consumer price index and is intended to maintain Social Security and SSI benefits in line with increased living expenses. For 2025, this adjustment will be 2.5%, resulting in a little rise in monthly payments. The COLA’s goal is to counteract the impact of inflation on beneficiaries’ spending; nevertheless, this year’s rise is slightly lower than previous years.
The first payment to reflect this increase is the SSI check on December 31. Beneficiaries will see the increase reflected in their January payments, and the adjustment will take effect at the end of the year.
Why these additional payments are important
The end-of-year payment schedule provides beneficiaries with greater financial certainty heading into 2025. Receiving up to five installments between November and December might provide great assistance to those who rely on Social Security and SSI to fund their basic costs.
This series of payments guarantees that recipients have an extra source of income when the year ends, alleviating any additional needs that may develop during the holiday season or at the start of the year.
With this payment schedule, Social Security not only meets its monthly benefit commitments, but also provides an advance payment to SSI beneficiaries in December. This method is beneficial to those who rely on these benefits since it allows them to manage year-end spending more comfortably.
Also See:- Three checks for retirees in November: how and when to receive them