Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and noticing something different? Well, SSI beneficiaries will not be receiving an SSI payment in September 2025. Relax, this isn’t a cut to your benefits, it simply results from a shift in the Social Security payment calendar. You’re still getting your payment, just a bit earlier.
Why There’s No SSI in September
According to the Social Security payment calendar, SSI payments are usually sent out on the first of each month. However, should the first fall on a weekend of government holiday, then the payment is made on the last business day before.
For this year, the 1st of September 2025 falls on Labor Day which is a government holiday. As a result of this, the SSI payment that was scheduled for today was sent on Friday, the 29th August 2025. In simple terms, recipients would’ve received two SSI payments in August (August 1 and August 29), and none in September.
It’s important to remember: this is not lost income. You still receive the same 12 payments per year. They’re just timed differently when holidays or weekends interfere.
What This Means for SSI Recipients
September won’t be the only month affected. The SSA calendar shows this will happen again before the year ends:
- October 2025: Two SSI payments (October 1 and October 31, which covers November).
- November 2025: No payment.
- December 2025: Two SSI payments (December 1 and December 31, which covers January 2026).
- January 2026: No payment.
Even though this may seem like payments are skipped, rest assured that you will receiving all of the SSI payments that are due to you.
Tips for Managing the Shift
If you rely on SSI for essentials like rent, groceries, and bills, the calendar change can make budgeting harder. Here are a few tips to stay on track:
- Plan Ahead: In the months that you receive two payments, be sure to keep aside money for the next months expenses.
- Mark Your Calendar: Write down the adjusted dates so you’re not caught off guard.
- Use Direct Deposit: Payments go in faster and more securely than paper checks.
What About Regular Social Security Benefits?
Some news to look forward to, is that the calendar change only affects SSI recipients. Regular Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits are paid on a different schedule and are not affected.
Here’s a quick refresher:
- If you began receiving Social Security before May 1997, or you also get SSI, your payment comes on the 3rd of each month (or the business day before if the 3rd is a weekend/holiday).
- For everyone else, your benefit arrives based on your birthday:
- 1st–10th: Paid on the second Wednesday of the month.
- 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday.
- 21st–31st: Paid on the fourth Wednesday.
So, while SSI recipients deal with skipped months, Social Security retirement and disability payments will continue on their usual dates.
Bottom Line
There are millions of beneficiaries who rely on SSI to cover their basic expenses such as groceries, utilities and medical bills. This why it is important for beneficiaries to keep updated with the changes in the payment schedule so that they are able to plan effectively. Beneficiaries must draw up a budget for every month and ensure that they keep aside money for their bills. The Social Security website provides verified information so beneficiaries can get updates from there. It is important to be knowledgeable about payment changes so that proactive decisions can be made. This will also assist in avoiding unnecessary financial strain.
Don’t worry, you’re not missing any SSI payment, payment dates may be changed due to a shift in the Social Security payment schedule.