Up to $967 in Increased Social Security Payments Coming This Week

Social Security – Improved benefit payments are scheduled to be distributed this week to millions of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, thanks to a recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Why It Matters

This week marks the first distribution of the boosted SSI payments for 2025, following the announcement of a 2.5% increase by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The COLA helps prevent the erosion of purchasing power by adjusting benefits to match inflation. The 2.5% boost, announced in October, applies to all benefits issued in 2025.

SSI payments are issued to low- and no-income individuals who are blind or disabled.

What to Know

This week’s SSI payments are scheduled for December 31, one day earlier than usual, as New Year’s Day falls on a federal holiday. Typically, SSI payments are made on the first of each month. The SSA explains that the early payment ensures recipients won’t face financial delays, clarifying that it is not an additional payment, and there’s no need to contact the agency about it.

If a payment doesn’t arrive on the expected date, the SSA advises waiting three business days before reaching out. Federal holidays and weekends are not considered working days.

Thanks to the COLA, the maximum monthly SSI benefit in 2025 will be $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple, up from $943 and $1,415, respectively, in 2024. However, this increase is smaller than the previous year’s adjustments. The 2024 COLA raised benefits by 3.2%, while the 2023 COLA was a substantial 8.7% due to the high inflation caused by the pandemic.

Also Read – Social Security January Payments: Up to $4,873 Arriving in 14 Days

The amount a recipient receives depends on their personal circumstances, such as income, disability status, and living arrangements. According to the Congressional Research Service, the average federal SSI payment was $697 in February 2024.

What People Are Saying

Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, noted: “The 2025 COLA will be the lowest increase for Social Security beneficiaries since 2021, even as prices for essentials like housing, food, and insurance continue to rise. Despite being the smallest COLA since 2021, a 2.5% increase is considered average.”

What Happens Next

For Social Security retirement benefits, the estimated average monthly payment was $1,907 in January 2024, expected to rise to $1,976 in 2025. The next round of retirement benefits is scheduled for distribution on January 3.