Social Security Payment Schedule Update Delays Expected for Some Beneficiaries

This week, certain Social Security beneficiaries will experience delays in receiving their payments. If you qualify for the Retirement, Survivor, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) program, have claimed benefits after May 1997 and were born between the 21st and 31st of any month, you will not receive your monthly check until the last week of September. Those who do not meet these criteria may expect their payments to arrive as early as tomorrow.

Understanding Social Security Payment Scheduling

The Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines its payment schedule annually, detailing how beneficiaries across various programs will receive their monthly benefits. According to the current schedule:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients receive their payments on the first day of the month, barring weekends or holidays.
• Retired workers, survivors, and disabled individuals who claimed benefits before May 1997 receive payments on the third day of each month.
• For those who claimed benefits after May 1997, payments are distributed as follows:
  • September 11th for those born between the 1st and 10th.
  • September 18th for those born between the 11th and 20th.
  • September 25th for those born between the 21st and 31st.

Eligibility and Application for Social Security Benefits

To qualify for retirement benefits, applicants must be at least 62 years old, have paid Social Security taxes for a minimum of 10 years, and meet the full retirement age (FRA) requirements. The SSA tracks contributions, requiring at least 40 Social Security credits, which are earned through annual work and self-employment income.

Disability benefits follow similar criteria but with additional requirements. Applicants must have earned sufficient Social Security credits and prove a disability that prevents substantial gainful activity for at least one year.

Payment Amounts for Eligible Beneficiaries

Once accepted into the retirement or disability benefits program, the SSA calculates monthly payments based on individual circumstances. As of January 2024, the average monthly payments are:

• Retirement benefits: $1,900
  • Age 62: Up to $2,710
  • Age 67: Up to $3,822
  • Age 70: Up to $4,873
• Disability benefits: $1,537
  • Blind recipients: Up to $2,590
  • Maximum payment: $3,822

For more details on the Social Security payment schedule and eligibility requirements, visit the Social Security Administration’s official website.