Americans may get two benefit payments this month as early deposits arrive

Millions of Americans could see an unexpected boost to their budgets as some benefit recipients receive a second payment in the same month.

The unusual shift means eligible households may have money deposited sooner than expected because of a change to the normal payout schedule.

The early payment affects recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who are receiving their next month’s benefits ahead of time.

This happens because the first day of the month falls on a Sunday, which pushes the payment date to the prior business day.

As a result, millions of eligible Americans will receive two SSI payments in one month, with one payment already having arrived at the start of the month.

But the extra deposit does not mean additional money.

Instead, the second check is simply the following month’s payment sent early, so no separate SSI payment will be issued the next month.

SSI payments are normally sent on the first day of each month.

When that date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) moves the payment to the previous business day.

The scheduling change means eligible recipients could receive up to $994 in their accounts.

Couples in which both partners qualify for SSI can receive a maximum federal payment of $1,491, while the maximum for an essential person is $498.

More than seven million Americans receive SSI benefits, and the average monthly payment is about $740.

The federal program provides aid to people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind, or living with a qualifying disability.

In Texas alone, more than 575,000 people receive these payments, according to SSA data cited by the Dallas Morning News.

The calendar change is not the only adjustment beneficiaries need to know about.

Many people who receive traditional Social Security benefits will also see their next payments arrive earlier than usual.

Recipients born between the 1st and 10th of the month will receive their benefits one day earlier than normal because the regular date falls on a federal holiday.

The holiday has led the SSA to move that group’s payment date forward.

It is the only change to the standard traditional Social Security payment schedule for the year referenced in the report.

Other recipients will continue to be paid on their usual schedule.

Those born between the 11th and 20th will be paid on the middle Wednesday of the month, while those born between the 21st and 31st will receive their checks on the final Wednesday of the month.

People who began collecting Social Security before May 1997, or who receive both Social Security and SSI, follow a different schedule.

Their Social Security payments are due on the third business day of the month.

More than 56 million retirees, dependents, and disabled workers receive Social Security benefits, with the average retired worker collecting $2,084 per month.

SSI recipients are also set to receive two payments in December because of another calendar change.

The first will arrive at the start of the month, followed by a second payment on the final day of the month.

The second payment will count toward the following month, since New Year’s Day falls on a federal holiday.

That means recipients will once again receive two checks in one calendar month and then have no SSI payment in the next month.

The final December payment will also reflect a benefit boost after the SSA announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the next year.

The increase will apply to both Social Security and SSI recipients, although the first higher payments will arrive at different times.

SSI recipients will see the larger amount in the final December payment, while traditional Social Security beneficiaries will receive the increase in the following month.

The SSA says anyone who does not receive benefits on the expected date should wait three additional mailing days before contacting the agency.

Recipients can also review the agency’s official payment calendar to confirm when the next check is due.