No Social Security Payments During The Week of November 5: Know Exact Reason

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that there will be no Social Security payments issued during the week of November 5, 2024.

While this happens to coincide with the presidential general election, the reason for the lack of payments that week is purely due to scheduling factors within the SSA, not the election itself.

Here’s why no payments will be made during that time, and what you can expect instead.

Why There Are No Payments on November 5

Typically, the SSA issues Social Security payments on the 3rd of the month for certain beneficiaries. However, in November 2024, November 3 falls on a Sunday.

Since banks are closed on Sundays and the SSA cannot process payments over the weekend, payments that would typically be issued on November 3 will instead be sent on November 1.

This earlier payment will apply to retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients.

SSI and Social Security Payments Together on November 1

For some beneficiaries, November 1, 2024, could bring an unexpected surprise. Since Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are always issued on the first of the month, many individuals who are eligible for both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits will receive two payments on the same day.

This overlap is due to the adjustment of the November 3 payment, which will now coincide with the scheduled SSI payment.

This means that if you qualify for both SSI and Social Security, you’ll receive both payments on November 1, offering a bit of early financial relief.

Will the November Payments Include the 2025 COLA Increase?

One common question is whether the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2025 will be reflected in these early payments. The answer is no—neither the November 1 SSI payment nor the early Social Security payment will include the 2.5% COLA increase.

When Will the COLA Increase Be Applied?

• SSI recipients will start receiving the COLA boost with their December 31, 2024 payment.
• Retirees and other Social Security beneficiaries will see the COLA adjustment reflected in their payments beginning in January 2025. Payments will be issued on January 3, 8, 15, or 22, depending on the recipient’s schedule.

Social Security Payment Amounts in November

While November payments won’t include the 2025 COLA adjustment, here’s what you can expect in terms of average payment amounts:

• Retirees will receive average checks of $1,920 in November 2024. However, the exact amount can vary significantly based on several factors, such as:
  • Filing for benefits as early as age 62 (which leads to lower monthly payments),
  • Working the minimum number of years required for Social Security eligibility,
  • Having paid relatively low Social Security taxes throughout their working life.
• SSI recipients can expect a payment of up to $943 on November 1, though the average SSI check will be about $698. Eligible married couples receiving SSI could get up to $1,450 in November. However, those who receive both SSI and Social Security often see reductions in their payments due to overlapping benefits.

While there will be no payments during the week of November 5, the early payments on November 1 will help make up for this. If you’re eligible for both SSI and Social Security benefits, you’ll get both payments on the same day.

However, the COLA increase won’t be reflected in these payments until December 2024 for SSI and January 2025 for retirees. Stay informed of your payment schedule, and plan ahead for these changes as we approach the end of the year.

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