WASHINGTON D.C. – A unique alignment of the calendar this fall means that some Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive two benefit payments during October. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is reminding beneficiaries that this is a regular occurrence, but it does not constitute an extra payment.
The SSI program, which provides monthly payments to eligible older adults with limited income and resources, as well as to individuals with disabilities, typically disburses funds on the first of every month.
The Calendar Anomaly Explained
The key reason for the dual payments is a long-standing SSA rule: When the first day of a month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the payment is advanced to the last business day of the preceding month. This is done to ensure beneficiaries have access to their funds before the new month begins.
Due to how the 2025 calendar is structured, SSI recipients will see two payments in October:
- October 1st: The standard payment for October’s benefits.
- Friday, October 31st: An advance payment for November’s benefits (as November 1st falls on a Saturday).
Recipients should budget accordingly, knowing the payment received on October 31st is intended to cover expenses for the following month.
Transition to Electronic Payments Complete
In other administrative changes, the SSA has recently completed its mandated transition away from paper checks. Following a prior administration order, the SSA has pushed for all federal payments to transition to electronic transfers.
As of September, data showed that more than 68 million Americans were receiving Social Security benefits, with only about 0.6% (around 390,000) still receiving paper checks.
- SSI payments are now typically made via direct deposit or through the Direct Express debit card.
- For beneficiaries needing to enroll in electronic payments, the SSA offers several methods:
- Enroll in person by visiting their financial institution.
- Enroll through the My Social Security online platform.
- Call the electronic payment solution center via the SSA or the Treasury Department.
