The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), provides monthly payments to individuals who are 65 or older, legally blind, or disabled, with limited income and resources. However, from July through December 2025, there will be several changes to the usual SSI payment schedule. These changes could cause some confusion, especially with double payments in certain months and missing payments in others. Let’s take a closer look at the SSI deposit schedule for the remainder of the year and what beneficiaries can expect.
Why Aren’t There SSI Payments Every Month?
SSI payments are typically issued on the first day of each month. However, when the first day of the month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the SSA advances the payment to the last business day of the previous month. This practice leads to months with “two payments” and months where no payment is made at all.
For example, in July 2025, there was no change to the usual payment schedule, as the first day of the month was not a holiday or weekend. However, the situation changes in August 2025. If you are a recipient of SSI, you will receive a payment on August 1st (for August), followed by another payment on August 29th (for September, paid in advance). This means that there will be no payment in September, as the September payment was already issued on August 29th due to the fact that September 1st falls on a weekend.
Other Changes in the SSI Payment Schedule for the Remainder of 2025
The changes continue for the rest of the year. In October 2025, there will be two payments: one on October 1st (for October) and another on October 31st (for November, paid in advance). For November 2025, no payments will be issued, as the November payment was made on October 31st. Similarly, in December 2025, there will be two payments: one on December 1st (for December) and another on December 31st (for January 2026, paid in advance).
What to Do If You Receive SSI Payments via Paper Check
Nearly 99% of SSI recipients receive their payments via direct deposit, which helps eliminate delays and allows for electronic transfers. However, about 480,000 beneficiaries still receive their payments via paper check. If you are one of these beneficiaries and notice a missing payment, the SSA recommends waiting three additional business days before reporting it. Mail delays may occur, so it’s important to give the postal system time to deliver the check.
In addition, all recipients of SSA-administered payments, including SSI beneficiaries, are required to transition away from paper checks by September 30, 2025. Starting October 1, 2025, paper checks will no longer be issued, and all payments will be made digitally. You can choose to have your payments directly deposited into your bank account, into a digital wallet (make sure your local SSA office confirms that your preferred wallet is accepted), or request a free SSA Direct Express card for your payments.
If you’re receiving SSI payments from the SSA, it’s important to be aware of the upcoming changes to the payment schedule for the remainder of 2025. Expect double payments in August, October, and December, and note that there will be no payments in September and November. If you still receive paper checks, make sure to switch to direct deposit before the deadline in September 2025 to avoid any disruptions. These changes are designed to improve the efficiency of the payment system, but it’s important for recipients to stay informed to ensure they don’t miss any payments.
