Why some Social Security recipients get 2 checks in November

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated the schedule of checks coming to recipients. They will receive an SSI check Dec. 31, 2024.
Some Social Security beneficiaries may have noticed something a bit unusual for next month’s schedule: There is an extra SSI check payment scheduled for November.
The slight change on the Social Security Administration’s calendar may not come as much of a surprise to those keeping a close eye on the administration’s 2024 timetable, which lays out dates for different types of payments throughout the year. However, for those used to seeing money hit their accounts once per month, the adjustment may still cause some confusion.
There is a simple explanation for this: it all comes down to the calendar. But with about 7.5 million people receiving SSI benefits in 2024, even a seemingly minor modification can trigger a little uncertainty.
Getting two SSI benefits checks during a month is not unusual. SSI recipients faced a similar situation in August when they got two checks and no SSI check in September.
Here’s what to know about SSI benefits this November.
Recipients of Supplemental Security Income will technically receive two November checks due to a simple scheduling quirk.
Usually, SSI benefits, which are payments for low-income seniors and disabled people, come on the first business day of each month but since Dec. 1 falls on a Sunday this year, SSI payments for December will be distributed the Friday before, according to the SSA calendar.
Thus, SSI checks will go out on the following dates in November:
Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI, is different from Social Security retirement benefits.
As explained by AARP, the SSA distributes SSI benefits but does not pay for them. While Social Security benefits are funded largely by income taxes, SSI is financed by the U.S. Treasury and state-level supplements.
SSI is meant to benefit older people and people with disabilities who fall under a certain income threshold. While a variety of factors go into determining eligibility, the SSA says adults or children may be entitled to the benefits if they have:
The maximum monthly benefit available for an individual in 2024 is $943 and $1,415 for couples if both parties qualify.
SSI benefits are different from what is commonly referred to as “disability” or Social Security Disability Insurance, which is determined by work history. SSDI pays benefits to people who have a disability and have contributed an ample amount to Social Security via income taxes after working enough years to qualify. SSI, on the other hand, does not require a work history.
The SSA releases its yearly distribution schedules well in advance; you can begin planning for next year now with the already-released 2025 calendar. As it stands, a few months in 2025 will follow a similar pattern to this November.
Recipients of typical Social Security retirement benefits will receive them as usual this month according to SSA:
Last week, the SSA announced that it will be rolling out a new, streamlined process for Americans to apply for SSI benefits later this year.
The new online system, called iClaim, will feature simpler, plain-language questions meant to expedite the process for both applicants and claims processors, according to a press release from the agency.
Not all applicants will immediately be able to access the new system when it begins rolling out right away, however. The SSA said the phase in December will generally be available for first-time applicants between 18 and almost 65 who never married and are concurrently applying for Social Security benefits and SSI.
The second phase to expand this to all applicants is slated for 2025.This story was updated to correct an error.