Retirees can receive a new payment on December 18, 24, 2024, or January 3 or 8, 2025. If you qualify for the January 3 payment and you have a low income, you may also be receiving SSI benefits. For your information, if you qualify for the Supplemental Security Income payment on December 31, 2024, your Social Security check will be issued on the 3rd of next month.
Thanks to the cost-of-living adjustment update, retirees and SSI recipients will get a payment 2.5% higher than in 2024. In fact, the first Americans to enjoy this 2.5% boost will be Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.
How much will retirees on SSI get on December 31, 2024?
The maximum amount a Supplemental Security Income recipient can get is $967 after COLA. If you are an eligible married couple you can get up to $1,450. However, retirees may not qualify for the full amount because if they get Social Security at the same time they may get a reduction.
Bear in mind that the average SSI payment for those Americans aged 65 or older is about $575. So, after the COLA this payment may be about $589. Hence, the boost may be about 24 dollars extra.
The Social Security Administration allows retirees to check their payment amounts after COLA through my Social Security account. So, if you did not get your notice with updated amounts, you can get it there.
How to apply for SSI to get it in 2025
If you have a low retirement benefit payment and you need extra money, you could apply for SSI. Apart from having a low income and little to no resources, you must either:
- have a disability
- be blind
- be at least 65 years old
- meet other essential requirements like citizenship
To apply for SSI you can make an appointment at your local Social Secuirty office or start your application online. All you have to do is visit the official website and gather all the necessary documents to prove your eligibility.
What are the eligibility requirements for SSI benefits for retirees?
Age: You must be age 65 or older.
Limited income: Your income must be below certain limits. In general, you can earn up to $1,971 per month from work and still qualify. Other sources of income like Social Security benefits, pensions, and unemployment are also counted. The income limit is higher for couples.
Limited resources: The value of things you own must be under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Some resources like your home and vehicle are not counted.
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified noncitizen. Certain noncitizens, like refugees and asylees, may qualify.
Residency: You must live in one of the 50 states, Washington D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands.