SSI or SSDI – Which Disability Benefit Will Social Security Send First?

Disability benefits provide essential financial assistance to Americans who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability. The two primary programs offering this support are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Each has its own payment schedules and eligibility requirements. However, changes in paydays can sometimes occur, such as the upcoming shift in SSI payments for November.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect for November 2024 in terms of both SSI and SSDI payments.

November Payment Schedules

The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically issues four SSDI payments and one SSI payment per month. However, November 2024 will see an unusual shift for SSI recipients, with their payment arriving at the end of November instead of the usual December 1 date.

SSDI Payment Dates in November

SSDI recipients will receive their payments according to their birth dates. Here’s how it breaks down:

Birth Date	SSDI Payment Date
Born between 1st-10th	November 13, 2024
Born between 11th-20th	November 20, 2024
Born between 21st-31st	November 27, 2024

If you receive SSDI and your payment is scheduled for any of these dates in November, you will not qualify for the upcoming SSI payment. This is because SSDI recipients have already received their November Disability Insurance payment on November 1 and will receive another on December 3.

SSI Payment Date in November

For SSI recipients, the next payment will be issued on November 29, 2024. This payment is technically for December but is being issued in November due to scheduling adjustments, as December 1 falls on a weekend.

SSI and SSDI Payment Amounts

There is a significant difference between SSI and SSDI payment amounts, as the two programs cater to different groups of people with varying income levels.

SSI Payment Amounts

SSI provides benefits to low-income individuals or married couples who meet specific income and asset limits. Payment amounts are generally lower than SSDI, and here’s how they are structured:

SSI Recipient Type	Average Monthly Payment	Maximum Monthly Payment
Individual on SSI	$697	$943
Eligible married couple	N/A	$1,415
Essential person (those who care for an SSI recipient)	N/A	$472

SSDI Payment Amounts

On the other hand, SSDI is based on the individual’s work history and income contributions to Social Security. The average and maximum payments for SSDI are generally higher than SSI:

SSDI Recipient	Average Monthly Payment	Maximum Monthly Payment
Average SSDI recipient	$1,539	N/A
Maximum SSDI payment	N/A	$3,822

SSDI payments tend to be higher because they are based on the recipient’s past earnings and contributions to the Social Security system. SSI, however, is a need-based program designed to assist low-income individuals and couples who haven’t paid as much into the system.

November Payments

It’s important to remember that none of the November SSDI or SSI payments will include the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase. This increase will begin in January 2025, offering a boost to benefit amounts to keep up with inflation.

For now, SSI recipients will need to plan for their next payment on November 29, while SSDI recipients will receive their payments on their respective dates as outlined above.

Key Takeaways

• SSDI payments are distributed on November 13, November 20, and November 27, based on your birth date.
• SSI payments for December will be issued early, on November 29, 2024.
• SSDI recipients won’t qualify for SSI payments in November because of the two upcoming SSDI payments on November 1 and December 3.
• Average SSDI payment: $1,539, with a maximum of $3,822.
• Average SSI payment: $697, with a maximum of $943 for individuals and $1,415 for married couples.

Knowing these payment schedules and amounts ensures that recipients can plan their finances for the month of November, particularly with the early issuance of SSI payments and the regular SSDI distribution.

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