Some Social Security recipients will not receive a check this month—but it’s not a missed payment.
Because some Social Security beneficiaries earned two checks in August, they will forgo one in September. Most recipients will continue to get payments on schedule, however.
Why It Matters
Approximately 74 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits each month, and the timing of a payment typically depends on the recipient’s birthdate.
However, when a payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are sent early in the month before.
A person wearing a face mask stands outside a U.S. Social Security Administration office on November 5, 2020, in Burbank, California.
A person wearing a face mask stands outside a U.S. Social Security Administration office on November 5, 2020, in Burbank, California.
VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
Those born between the first and the 10th of the month will receive payments on the second Wednesday of the month, which is September 10.
Meanwhile, those born between the 11th and 20th receive their payment on the third Wednesday, September 17, and those born after the 20th receive their benefits on September 24.
However, beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will not receive a check this month. That’s because the first day of the month, which is their typical payment date, fell on a holiday, Labor Day, so the September checks were sent out early on August 29.
SSI recipients will get their next check on schedule on October 1. These payments apply to low-income and disabled Americans.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “Some SSI recipients will not get a separate payment in September. This isn’t due to a cut of benefits, but rather because of a difference in calendar scheduling. SSI payments are normally distributed on the first of each month, but when the date falls on a federal holiday like Labor Day, the payment is moved earlier, typically to the previous business day. The result is that many recipients should have seen their payments posted on Friday, August 29, but for the month of September, they won’t technically see a payment posted to their accounts.”
Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: “While the mailing of regular Social Security checks are tied to your birthday, Supplemental Social Security is sent on the first of the month. With Labor Day being September 1 this year, all September checks and deposits were made in late August. Recipients and their caretakers do need to recognize the payment was made early and be sure to not mistake that as random extra money in the account.”
What Happens Next
SSI beneficiaries will see relatively normal payment scheduling moving forward, with the next payment slotted for October 1.
“Going forward, beneficiaries can expect payments to follow the regular schedule. The next SSI payment will be on October 1,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
“If a scheduled date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will be issued on the nearest business day, just like it was in August, and as it will be for November 1st, as that pay date also falls on a weekend.”