MILLIONS of Americans are bracing for a gap in their monthly Supplemental Security Income checks.
Because of the way the Social Security Administration (SSA) schedules payments, no SSI money will be sent out in September.
Millions of Americans on Supplemental Security Income will not see a payment in September (stock image)[/caption]
This cycle has already played out multiple times in 2025 (stock image)[/caption]
The unusual quirk hits recipients nationwide, including seniors, disabled individuals, and people with limited resources.
The SSA pays more than 70 million Americans each month, staggering schedules to avoid overwhelming the system.
But when the first of the month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, SSI payments are sent early.
That is happening again this year, as September 1 lands on Labor Day.
Instead of a September payment, SSI recipients will receive the money a few days earlier – on Friday, August 29.
That means two SSI checks will be issued in August: one on August 1 for that month, and one on August 29 for September.
It also means bank accounts will show no SSI deposit during the calendar month of September.
This cycle has already played out multiple times in 2025.
Back in May, SSI beneficiaries were paid twice – once on May 1 and again on May 30 – because June 1 fell on a weekend.
As a result, no SSI payment arrived in June.
The same thing happened in March, when February’s double payout left recipients without a check the following month.
And the pattern will repeat again before the year is over.
According to the SSA’s 2025 payment calendar, SSI beneficiaries will get two checks in October: one on October 1 and another on October 31.
But that also means there will be no SSI money distributed during November.
SSI schedule
- Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 (Check for August 2025)
- Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 (Check for September 2025)
- Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 (Check for October 2025)
- Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 (Check for November 2025)
- Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (Check for December 2025)
- Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
- Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
- Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)
The final double payment of the year will land on December 31, covering January 2026.
These quirks only apply to Supplemental Security Income, not standard retirement or survivor benefits.
Regular Social Security checks are still issued on Wednesdays based on birth dates.
Those born between the 1st and 10th get their payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
Birthdays between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday.
Anyone born after the 20th sees their money land on the fourth Wednesday.
Recipients who started benefits before May 1997 follow a different schedule, with checks sent on the third of the month.
As of May 2025, the average Social Security benefit was $2,002.39, though SSI payments are much smaller.
SSI provides monthly help to about 7.4 million Americans, with payments capped around $1,415 for individuals in 2025.
About one-third of SSI recipients also get a standard Social Security benefit, meaning some will see three separate payments hit their accounts in certain months.
The SSA advises anyone missing a payment to wait three business days before contacting the agency.
Meanwhile, bigger changes are on the horizon for next year.
Benefits are tied to inflation through the annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.
The Senior Citizens League now expects a 2.7 percent boost in 2026, up from earlier projections of 2.5 percent.
The official figure will be announced in October.
