No interruption to social security payments
While worries about the government shutdown spread wide and far around the country, many Americans who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefited from wondering whether their checks would halt. But the good news is that payments are running as usual. In fact, even some beneficiaries will be paid two times in October, but there is a simple explanation that has nothing to do with the Washington politicians’ deadlock.
Social Security is a mandatory expenditure, so it is not up for grabs in the budget that Congress fights over every year. So even if the government closes down, the checks are sent out.
“The SSA has not missed a single payment in 90 years, and they are not going to start doing so now,” replied Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
Why will some people get two payments this month
If you receive SSI benefits, you’ll notice two payments this October. The first payment was made on October 1, as usual. The second payment will be released on Thursday, October 31 — but the payment date is actually November’s.
Why the extra payment? November 1 is a Saturday, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not issue payments on Saturdays or federal holidays. So the agency advances the deposit to the final business day of the previous month.
So it might seem like recipients are getting a bonus, but it is merely a calendar adjustment so they don’t have to wait until the following Monday.
Regular payment schedule unchanged
In spite of the government shutdown, the SSA has ensured that the regular Social Security payment schedule will remain unaffected.
Here’s the distribution:
- People born between the 1st and the 10th of the month received payments on October 8.
- People born between the 11th and the 20th will get payments on October 15.
- And people born between the 21st and the 31st will receive payments on October 22.
- All deposits must arrive on time and uninterrupted.
What could be affected during the shutdown
Although payments are safe, some administrative services could face delays or temporary stops due to the government shutdown. These might be:
- Reissuing Medicare cards
- Processing benefit verification letters
- Correcting income records
- Processing some Transparency Law requests
However, the SSA says that about 90% of its workforce remains active, so all essential operations — including mailing out payments — are smooth.
Paying Americans
Nearly all Social Security and SSI payments — over 99% — are being paid electronically. That is, recipients receive their funds either deposited into a bank account directly or via the Direct Express debit card in the event of individuals who lack access to a mainstream bank.
This new system offers faster, safer, and more reliable delivery, even in the event of political disruptions or emergencies.
The average amount of monthly payments varies by programme:
- Retired workers: $2,008.31
- Individuals with disabilities: $1,582.95
- Survivor beneficiaries: $1,575.30
- SSI recipients: $717.84
These payments support millions of Americans who depend on Social Security as their principal income source.
Watch out for scams targeting beneficiaries
Officials say that scammers usually use government shutdowns and budget disputes to cheat seniors and beneficiaries.
Scammers might call, text, or email saying that payments are in suspense or your benefits must be “reconfirmed” — and then request personal information such as your Social Security number or bank details.
The Social Security Administration is reminding everyone that it never calls or emails individuals to require money, confirm payments, or make threats to cut benefits.
If you receive a message such as that, don’t respond — report it to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.
Read this later: Will there be an announcement about the COLA adjustment on October 15? What is known about the possible delay in Social Security check.
