Today is the day that payment will be received by recipients who qualify for and are eagerly awaiting their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA). For many SSI beneficiaries, the payment of up to $967 could not have come at a better time. After receiving their June payment at the end of May due to a calendar quirk, it seems like the $967 payment has been long-awaited. Nevertheless, it is important for recipients to assess whether they qualify for this summer payment or not.
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Beneficiaries receiving this $967 payment are receiving a Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a federal program that was created to provide financial help to citizens of low-income backgrounds, senior citizens, and citizens with disabilities. While beneficiaries can receive up to $967, not all SSI recipients receive this amount. Recipients receive payment according to their individual circumstances.
Each SSI recipient will receive payments according to their income, living arrangement, and as per other benefits that they may be receiving. All couples who qualify for joint payments receive a maximum payment of $1,450 monthly. As it stands, the maximum benefit amount for individuals claiming SSI benefits for 2025 stands at $967 per month.
The SSA adjusts the SSI payment amount yearly to reflect the changes as per the COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment). This ensures that payments offered to beneficiaries are payments that will allow them to keep up with the rising cost of living due to inflation.
Why the emphasis on today’s SSI payment?
While SSI payments are received monthly, the focus falls on today’s benefit as it seems as if SSI beneficiaries did not receive payment for the month of June. Since the SSA follows a set schedule for Social Security benefits and SSI benefits, the appearance of a public holiday or weekend interrupts the set schedule and causes payments to be paid out earlier.
In the month of May, SSI beneficiaries received two payments. One at the beginning of May for their May SSI benefit, and one at the end of May, which reflected their June monthly benefit. Since SSI beneficiaries had to wait until July 1 to receive their next payment, it seemed as if the SSA delayed payment for this one group of recipients.
It is of utmost importance that beneficiaries stay informed of the Social Security payment schedule to avoid assuming that two payments received in one month are a double payment, a bonus, or a mistake. SSI beneficiaries should also use their benefits wisely in the months that they receive two payments to avoid desperately needing more money before the next payment date arrives.
Many SSI beneficiaries have eagerly awaited this payment after missing out on receiving their direct deposit or check in the month of June due to the schedule adjustment.
Qualifying criteria for the SSI payments
The beneficiaries receiving payments today are those who have been deemed eligible to receive payment according to the following criteria:
- Citizens are 65 years or older.
- Citizens have a qualifying disability or are blind (beneficiaries who are blind or have a disability can claim SSI benefits from any age)
- Citizens are U.S. citizens, or they are qualified non-citizens living in the U.S.
- Citizens who have limited income, which as per 2025 is less than $2,000 in assets for individuals or $3,000 for couples (assets will exclude their one vehicle and their one home).
Citizens who are receiving Social Security benefits may also qualify for SSI benefits should their income fall below the federally established income threshold. All citizens should check their eligibility status to avoid missing out on this federally provided benefit.
SSI payment for today summed up in a nutshell
Payments of up to $967 will be paid out to millions of Americans who are eligible for the SSI benefit as per the Social Security payment schedule. For many Americans, this payment offers them an essential safety net to keep them financially afloat during the summer. Citizens should also stay aware of when SSA checks will get a boost to ensure they budget accordingly.
Disclaimer: This content is informational only and does not supersede or replace the SSA’s or IRS’s own publications and notices. Always verify any specific dates and amounts by following the direct links in our article to SSA.gov or IRS.gov, or by consulting your local SSA field office or tax professional.
