In November, some people receiving payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) might be in for a bit of a surprise: instead of one check, they will receive two checks. But remember that this second payment is not an extra but an early advance on your December check.
The Social Security payment system is set up to allow Social Security beneficiaries to know when they will receive their payments each month.
However, things are not always this way: this year’s checks, with December’s payments affected by holidays and weekends, were adjusted. The group getting two payouts in November, which is by far the larger of the two, includes most Supplemental Security Income SSI program beneficiaries. This is a program for people with disabilities, older adults on limited incomes, and in some cases, young people with a disability (e.g., blindness).
Contents
- 1 Who will receive two Social Security payments in November?
- 2 Which other beneficiaries will receive payments in November?
- 3 Could you receive a third check in November?
- 4 FAQs
- 4.1 Q. Who is eligible to receive an extra Social Security check in November?
- 4.2 Q. What is the reason for the extra Social Security check in November?
- 4.3 Q. When are the extra Social Security payments typically scheduled?
- 4.4 Q. How can I find out if I will receive an extra check in November?
- 4.5 Q. Will the amount of the extra check be the same for everyone who qualifies?
Who will receive two Social Security payments in November?
January will see the first payment come through with the regular monthly benefits paid as set down by that court. The second payment is strikingly scheduled for November 29th. Though to receive this payment in November is an advance on December’s check since December 1st is a Sunday this year and payments are not made on weekends.
The SSA has a rule that if a deposit or check is scheduled to be mailed on a weekend or holiday, they will be sent out earlier. Because it’s on a Sunday this year, December 1st, they push it up so that it falls on Friday, November 29th. This means that SSI beneficiaries will get two payments in November, and let me be clear, this isn’t extra money—that’s just an early payment to make sure they get their money at the right time.
Which other beneficiaries will receive payments in November?
Payment schedule also affects many other beneficiaries, including those who get retirement benefits. But the Social Security payments for these people will be spread throughout the month by the Wednesdays of their birth dates. Here’s how the schedule breaks down for November:
- November 13th payment: Those born between the 1st and 10th in any month are the beneficiaries of this payment.
- November 20th payment: Your payments will go out on this date and if you were born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
- November 27th payment: Beneficiaries born between the 21st and the 31st of any month will receive their checks on this day, and finally.
This staggered schedule gives the same recipients their money at different times, gives those who get SSI—like myself—two payments in a month, and keeps everyone from waiting longer than necessary for their money.
Could you receive a third check in November?
While it is interesting on its own that the advance on December’s payment has been rolled out, there are some who will receive a third check in November. People who are beneficiaries of both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits are in this situation.
If this applies to you, here’s what you can expect:
- Your regular Social Security check was paid according to your birth date.
- It’s the November 1st SSI check.
- The second SSI check is for advance payment for December but is dated November 29th.
While there are three payments that will hit your bank account in November, remember—even if those three payments come in November, that second SSI payment isn’t an extra income; it’s an early disbursement for the following month.
If you rely on Social Security payments to pay your bills, it’s important to know how Social Security payments work and why you might get different checks in the same month. This system was set up by the SSA so that even on holidays or weekends, there aren’t any delays in paying out their much-needed funds to the beneficiaries.
In addition, for retirees living on those payments, they will receive staggered monthly payments so they do not have a bottleneck of payments for any one day during the month. Knowing when you’ll get your payment can assist with budgeting and financial planning, especially in months like November where payment schedules get out of sync.
It’s also important that SSI recipients not confuse the second check as a bonus. While you may feel as if you’re getting more money in November, this advance is an effort to make sure you get paid on time in December, not an extra paycheck. You save yourself many issues if you prepare ahead of time, especially if you receive payments in advance, so your financial needs are not interrupted.
FAQs
Q. Who is eligible to receive an extra Social Security check in November?
A. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and some Social Security beneficiaries accept extra checks, including retirees, disabled people, and survivors, based on their schedule of payments.
Q. What is the reason for the extra Social Security check in November?
A. Sometimes the extra payment in November goes along with scheduled adjustments or other disbursements that the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes. They can include timing adjustments if payments are cycled or have some special provision such as a cost of living adjustment (COLA).
Q. When are the extra Social Security payments typically scheduled?
A. On the first business day of November, most eligible recipients receive extra Social Security payments. Nevertheless, the dates may differ depending on the date of payment at which he or she was born or which date he or she first applied.
Q. How can I find out if I will receive an extra check in November?
A. In order to check your eligibility for the extra Social Security payment, log onto your My Social Security account on the SSA website or call the Social Security Administration directly. Lastly, they can offer you information on your payment schedule and any payment that you still owe them.
Q. Will the amount of the extra check be the same for everyone who qualifies?
A. The amount of the additional Social Security check can vary depending on how much you received in other benefits and things like cost of living and wage increases. The exact amounts can be found on recipients individual payment statements.