If you depend on or want to learn about Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you probably want honest, simple answers about how much you can get and when you will see it.
SSI helps many people: mainly, those who are 65 and older, blind, or living with a disability and have little income or resources. It is a federal program that the Social Security Administration (SSA) runs and it pays for basic needs like food, housing, and clothes. Here is a look at all of it, with a focus on the 2025 maximum benefit amounts and payment schedule from now through December. This will help you plan your money.
What to expect from the SSI benefits this month
The SSA changes SSI payments each year to keep pace with inflation. It does this through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). For 2025, that COLA is 2.5%, which means a small increase in benefits from 2024. It makes your money go a little further since everyday things cost more.
So, the new COLA is about to be calculated by the federal government, and it will be announced in October 2025, for it to be applied from January 2025.
Here is what you need to know about the maximum federal SSI benefit amounts for 2025:
- Individual: If you are single or applying on your own, the maximum monthly SSI payment is $967. That is up from $943 in 2024 because of the 2.5% COLA.
- Couple: For married couples where both spouses qualify for SSI, the maximum combined monthly payment is $1,450. This is up from $1,415 in 2024.
- Essential person: If you have an “essential person” in your home – one who is not an SSI recipient but provides critical care – the maximum payment for them is $484 a month.
One quick reminder: most people don’t get the full amount. Why? Because SSI is needs-based. The SSA reduces your payment if you have other income. This can include wages, pensions, and even help from family.
For every $2 you earn from work over a limit (about $2,019 a month in 2025), your SSI payment goes down by $1. Other non-work income reduces your SSI dollar-for-dollar after a small exclusion. It can also matter where you live. Living with someone else or in a care facility can cut your payment. If you are in New York, you could also get a state supplement (called the New York State Supplement Program, or SSP).
This depends on your living arrangement and other details. For example, imagine you are single, live alone in New York, and have no other income. You would get the full $967 a month (plus any state supplement). But if you make $1,000 a month from a part-time job, the SSA will cut your SSI. That could leave you with a few hundred dollars or less.
It is best to check with the SSA or a local benefits counselor to get the actual number for you. SSI Payment Schedule: September to December 2025
SSI payments are usually paid on the first day of each month. If the first falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment goes out on the last business day of the previous month. This quirk can cause some months to feel like you are getting two payments while other months have none. Here is the exact payment schedule for SSI from now to December 2025 based on the SSA’s calendar.
SSI dates changes in 2025
September 2025: The payment already went out on August 29, 2025 because September 1, 2025, is Labor Day. If you still have not seen it, wait a few days (the SSA recommends three mailing days) and then call them at 1-800-772-1213. This is for your September benefits.
- October 2025: The payment is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, because it is a normal business day. This will be for your October benefits.
- November 2025: Because November 1, 2025, falls on a Saturday, the payment will be issued early on Friday, October 31, 2025. This means October will be a “double payment” month, with checks on October 1 and October 31, but the second is for November.
- December 2025: The payment is set for Monday, December 1, 2025, covering December benefits. There are no holidays or weekends to get in the way.
- Looking ahead, January 2026 will likely be early on December 31, 2025, since January 1 is New Year’s Day.
This pattern of early payments happens often, so make sure to set some money aside for the next month’s needs, especially in months like November when there is no payment in the next month. Why the Schedule Matters and How to Plan
If you get Social Security benefits (like retirement or disability benefits) in addition to SSI, those pay on a different schedule. They are based on your birthdate or when you started getting benefits. Social Security payments typically occur on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month. If you started benefits before May 1997, they occur on the third Wednesday. If you get both SSI and Social Security, your SSI comes on the first (or earlier if it is a holiday).
Extra help for SSI recipients in need
The amount depends on how you are living (alone, with others, in a care facility). Call the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance at 1-855-488-0541 to find out more or to verify your SSP amount. Overpayments: The SSA sometimes pays benefits incorrectly.
They will usually try to recover the money by reducing future checks (up to 50%). If you get an overpayment notice, you will have about 90 days to request a reconsideration, waiver, or lower rate of repayment.
Do not ignore the notices because they can be a big hit to your budget. All SSI payments must be electronic by September 30, 2025 (no more paper checks). If you are still getting checks, you need to set up direct deposit or a Direct Express card through the SSA to avoid problems.
You can see your payment status or benefit amount by creating a “my Social Security” account online or calling the SSA. This will be especially helpful if a payment is late or you are unsure about your benefit amount.
If you are unsure of your payment date or amount, do not hesitate to call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can confirm your schedule or help with issues like missing payments. Local Social Security offices or community organizations in New York can also help you if you are dealing with both federal SSI and state supplements.
