Progress with Timely Delivery of Payments to People Receiving SSI
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 17, 2024
We are dedicated to improving service to the American public by prioritizing the delivery of payments to individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We are proud to share our progress with more timely release of underpayments.
Watch Commissioner Martin O’Malley’s message about SSI underpayments.
SSI underpayments
In 2023, a monthly average of 7.4 million people with disabilities (including children with disabilities) and older adults, who have little to no income or resources, received approximately $61 billion in Federal SSI payments. For fiscal years 2019 through 2023, underpayments represented less than one percent (1%) of all SSI payments. [1]
While underpayments are not a large share of the total payments we administer under the SSI program, they still can cause significant hardships for people waiting. Underpayments, typically payments from the time of applying for SSI to the date the application is approved, represent money owed for months past. Individuals approved for SSI – but who have to wait on release of payment – may experience even more acute economic insecurity while they wait.
Progress on underpayments
In fiscal year 2024, our agency prioritized addressing barriers that prevent timely release of underpayments. For example, this year we updated a policy that required underpayments over $5,000 to be reviewed by another employee – a peer review – before we released the underpayment. In March 2024, we increased the amount from $5,000 to $15,000. Underpayments less than $15,000 may now be released without peer review. This policy change means the time it takes for SSI recipients to receive their first installment payment is now dramatically reduced.
We are committed to continuing to find solutions to challenges that have hindered timely release of underpayments. As of June 2024, we have released $901 million in SSI underpayments, which includes $209.1 million of underpayments to roughly 81,000 people – our oldest and highest priority cases who are counting on SSI as a vital lifeline.
Real people, real impact
This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about people.
Historically, we know:
- Most people who are eligible for SSI are blind or have a disability.
- Nearly one-third of the people who receive SSI are 65 and older.
- Over fifty-five percent (55%) of people who receive SSI have no income other than their monthly SSI payment.
Enhancing economic security
By delivering payments more promptly, we are improving customer service and enhancing the economic security of millions of adults and children who rely on SSI.
Together, we are breaking down barriers and fostering a more equitable system.
We will continue to prioritize accurate and timely payments.
Call to action
We invite you to learn more about the SSI program as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Visit our Equity page to learn how you can support ongoing efforts to improve SSI.
Join the conversation
We want to hear from you! How will these changes impact your community? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Looking for assistance?
Visit our Online Services page to see what you can do online. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
[1] For more information about the size of the SSI program: Monthly Statistical Snapshot, May 2024 (ssa.gov) – see Table 3
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Tags: equity, SSI, supplemental security income
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Paul
Here is what needs to be done
There are multiple Field offices in each state and they have Specialists who know exactly what to do and figure Overpayment NH’s
When they clearly compute a NH account and see that SSA is wrong
They should have the Authority to make the correction right there instead of the processing center
It would be quicker for all parties involved and less backlog
SSA Executives: What would you do if you were in our shoes
How would you like it if the Government charged you with an Overpayment on all your salaries and were wrong in figuring you were over payed
You would loose those pretty multi 100k homes you live in waiting a year for correction
JERRY M.
Take TONY off the blog. Tony violates my right to free speech without being insulted by TONY.
JERRY M.
TONY: ALL THE GOVERNMENT WELFARE TYPE ASSISTANCE, SSI, SSI-DI, TANF, WIC, SNAP, CHIP, USDA FREE FOOD, FREE SCHOOLING, FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FREE INTERNET, FREE STUDENT LOANS, ALL FORMS OF TAXPAYER FUNDED WELFARE BENEFITS WILL BE ELIMINATED SOON BECAUSE THE U.S. WILL BE FORCED TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE ALL FORMS OF SPENDING, ESPECIALLY, THE UNNECESSARY WELFARE AND SSI SPENDING. THE U.S. WILL BE FORCED TO DEFAULT ON THE MASSIVE U.S. DEBT, WHICH WILL DESTROY THE U.S. CREDIT RATING. THE U.S. WILL NOT BE FINANCIALLY ABLE TO PAY OFF THE TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF DEBT WE OWE NOW, SO THE USA WILL HAVE TO CREATE MANY MORE COMPANIES, JOBS, GET ALL OUR FACTORIES, WORKERS, MONEY BACK FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, SO THERE WILL BE GROWTH IN THE USA AGAIN. THAT WILL BE ALL WE CAN DO TO RECOVER NEXT TIME WE HAVE A CREDIT CRISIS, WHICH IS COMING NEXT YEAR. TONY, YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK HARD AGAIN.
Tony
Hyperinflation will wash away the debt after the default.
Cheryl C.
PLEASE TELL ME I’M ONE OF THEM!
I’ve been waiting for 12 months for my disability benefits to start up again. That’s 12 months of house payments, utility payments, defaulting on care credit, etc. I lost my medicare because SS is so slow! And when I call, all I’m ever told is that the payment center has my info and nobody can tell me when my payments will start again. This is unreal. If a non-gov’t company operated like this they’d be out of business.
Evelin
I have been patiently waiting for half a year for my case to be approved. Despite hearing about improvements, I have not received any notification or payment yet. I depend on my SSI benefits due to chronic medical conditions, and as a single mother of two without a job, I am in urgent need of financial assistance. I hope to receive my payment soon to avoid ending up homeless.
S.S.
Hi, Evelin. Thanks for your reading our blog and for your compliment! Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
Sharen R.
They Quick To Take Us Off Of SSI But Sloth-Slow At Putting Us Back On When They Find Out It’s Short Term Disability Pay That Made Us Go Over! I Can Work But Once I’m ill I Get Penalized?! SERIOUSLY?! I’m Afraid To EVER Vote Again If I’m Going To Loose My 1895 Historical Home Just Because I Had Major illness & A Virus That Was Contagious. I kept telling phone representative that I cannot come into the office because I’m too ill and weak, but I’m just getting an appointment now for August 15 which is much too little too late even though I requested this time and time again months ago for a phone interview since I’m not tech or Internet savvy whatsoever.😭 i’ve been working damn near nonstop since the age of 12 and working paying taxes since the age of 14 but they just won’t give me a break now that I’m A 60yr Old ill Senior Citizen Of The United States. My friends from other countries sometimes make me feel bad because they say that America is the laughing stock of other countries (Which I defend America, but I still feel saddened & Frustrated That They’re New To America & Don’t Have To Be Worried Or Frustrated About Where Or When They’re going to get their next meal. I’m Not Jealous…I’m More Hurt That SSI Doesn’t Make Us Hardworking Tax Paying Citizens Feel Inclusive Too. My mother passed away before she got her first payment, even though she had new year and breast cancer prior to that it was still working, but they didn’t send her first check until she had passed away months later… it doesn’t make me feel safe and secure about my future in my own country
Herbert D.
Sorry to here that please just keep holding on.
Karen F.
They deliberately hold off on breast cancer victims. Are they playing the odds? Of course! My granddaughter filed before losing her breasts and then the ensuing hysterectomy, didn’t get a nickel until over a year later and then they took back half of what she was awarded. The remaining monies they split into two payments. Under 3,000.
Compassion? Go piss up a rope is the message. We got it loud and clear!!!!
About C.
Our family wants to continue to study and understand this (SSI) system. To reduce any and all misunderstandings in the future.
Thank You For Reading.
Paul
I have been waiting a year now for my overpayment to get resolved
Told every time I call that it’s at the processing center and that I didn’t owe anything yet they dropped my amount almost 400 a month
Also told my appeal reconsideration was assigned to someone October last year
Something seriously needs to be done !!!! We are seniors and shouldn’t be treated like this !!!
40+ years working
SHAREN R.
Same Thing Happened To Me; I’m At Risk Of Loosing My Historical Home Just Because I Received Short Term Disability From My Job But I Was Off Work For Over 8Month “EIGHT”😢With A Deadly Virus! Now If I’d Came To There Office To Get Assistance With Paperwork Like They Requested (With Contagious Virus) Then My conscious would’ve gotten The Best Of me (& So Would GOD Eventually!). I thought I made the right decision…but I found out the hard way that “damned if I do & I’m Damned if I don’t”! I can’t afford to eat even two meals a day but the Venezuelan that are new to this country who’ve never pay taxes get to eat three square meals a day whereas I’m at 60 year-old grandmother who’s starving and they’re about to take 1/3 of my check as it is. I feel as if I’m being pimped by the government because I’ve been paying my taxes since I was 14 and actually working CEDA jobs at the age of 12 and 13 while all the kids were out playing. I’ve worked all my life and have nothing to show for it. Thanks to Social Security. Keep taking my money from me just because I’m trying to work, but when I get my short-term disability from Damn, they’re dying then they still wanna pimp me out of money That’s “Unearned income”. I asked them over four months ago if I could have a over the phone interview because I’m not tech or Internet savvy and I’m sure they’re much younger than me and they think everyone supposed to be tech or Internet savvy, but that’s not the case spectrum of autism. They make me afraid to work now and I’ve noticed how they’ve made a lot of my neighbors turned to a life of crime because they said they’ll be damned if they lose their homes and I don’t blame them one bit trying to keep their homes because they are getting under 500 from Social Security after working all their lives as well!!!😫😭I’m Just DONE! SSI Got Me Having My Depression, Anxiety & Anxiousness As If I Died & Went To HELL Because There’s No Winning With The Government (unless I’m from Venezuela And just came into the country then I win?!)
SHAREN R.
Same Thing Happened To Me; I’m At Risk Of Loosing My Historical Home Just Because I Received Short Term Disability From My Job But I Was Off Work For Over 8Month “EIGHT”😢With A Deadly Virus! Now If I’d Came To There Office To Get Assistance With Paperwork Like They Requested (With Contagious Virus) Then My conscious would’ve gotten The Best Of me (& So Would GOD Eventually!). I thought I made the right decision…but I found out the hard way that “damned if I do & I’m Damned if I don’t”! I can’t afford to eat even two meals a day but the Venezuelan that are new to this country who’ve never pay taxes get to eat three square meals a day whereas I’m at 60 year-old grandmother who’s starving & SSI Is taking 1/3 of my check August 3rd! I feel as if I’m being pimped by the government because I’ve been paying my taxes since I was 14 & actually working CEDA jobs at the age of 12 and 13 while all the Other kids were out playing. I’ve worked all my life and have nothing to show for it Thanks to Social Security Who Keep taking my money from me just because I’m trying to work Even Though It’s ONLY my short-term disability Payments That Makes It Look Like Overpaid Amount From SSI. I Was Literally Dying But they’re Killing Me Slowly When they still want To” pimp me” out of Short Term Disability Money I Received That’s “Unearned income.” I asked them over four months ago if I could have a “over the phone” interview because I’m not tech or Internet savvy & Have A Serious illness! I’m sure they’re much younger than me and they think everyone supposed to be tech or Internet savvy, but that’s not the case For SOME People Like Me With My Type Of spectrum of autism. They make me afraid to work now and I’ve noticed how they’ve made a lot of my neighbors turned to a life of crime because they said they’ll be damned if they lose their homes and I don’t blame them one bit trying to keep their homes because they are getting under $500 from Social Security after working all their lives as well!!!😫😭SSI Got Me Having My Depression, Anxiety & Anxiousness As If I Died & Went To HELL Because There’s No Winning With Them Whatsoeve
JERRY M.
We tax paying citizens think SSI and SSI-DI must be replaced with some system that is administered by a government agency that is setup to screen for dishonest applicants and monitoring of all SSI and SSI-DI recipients to fully ensure the applicants and recipients are all actually eligible for benefits. It would be much better for everyone, including tax paying citizens, if the U.S. Government eliminates SSI and SSI-DI. These programs have never been honest programs and they are costing the 50% of citizens actually paying federal income taxes way too much. Most people applying for SSI or SSI-DI lie and cheat to get on the benefits, then they continue lying and cheating to remain on benefits. Every persons getting SSI or SSI-DI could be doing productive work at some type of job or small business. The days when it was acceptable to give away taxpayer money are over. SSI, SSI-DI and all typers of welfare programs, along with EARMARKS, GRANTS AND FINANCIAL FAVORS BY POLITICIANS, will have to be fully eliminated for the United States of America to survive our financial debts and costs of operating an extremely corrupt Federal Government.
Tony
It screened dishonest people like Jerry who wasn’t disabled. Now Jerry is complaining about people on disability.
Jerry need to keep working and paying taxes for people on SSI and SSDI.
JERRY M.
Tony: It is welfare junkies like you who are breaking our SS system, breaking the tax paying citizens due to the cost of welfare programs, SSI, SSI-DI, TANF, CHIP, SNAP, WIC, USDA free food programs, free school meals, free health care, free internet, free student loans, et.c We do not need any type of welfare programs or SSI, SSI-DI. We are going to have to stop spending government money that has to be paid by a few tax paying citizens. The government money is gone now, after the last 4 years of spending. There is no choice but to eliminate all welfare programs, SSI, all forms of government taxpayer funded assistance. The U.S. debt cannot be paid back now due U.S. excessive spending and government freebies, so the U.S. will be defaulting on U.S. obligations, which will lower our U.S. credit rating so much the government will be forced to drastically cut all spending and reduce all costs of government operations. That is what is coming due to the stupid things our government leaders have done to destroy the stability of the American financial system.
JERRY M.
Tony: All the government assistance benefits like SSI, SSI-DI, SNAP, WIC, TANF, CHIP, USDA FREE FOOD, FREE STUDENT LOANS, FREE SCHOOLING, FREE SCHOOL MEALS, ALL TYPES OF TAXPAYER FUNDED GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE WILL BE ELIMINATED SOON.
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL SOON BE FORCED TO DEFAULT ON GOVERNMENT DEBT, WHICH WILL DESTROY THE U.S. CREDIT RATING. THAT WILL LEAVE CONGRESS NO CHOICE BUT TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE ALL TYPES OF SPENDING, ESPECIALLY, WELFARE TYPE PROGEAMS. YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO LIVE OFF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND TAX PAYING CITIZENS
JERRY M.
Hello Tony: How are you doing? I am only complaining about you receiving any type of government benefits. You should not be getting any benefits. Obviously, you are a SS Blog HOUND.
Ellen H.
I’m sorry you feel that all SSI and SSDI recipients lied to get their benefits. It took me almost 6 years to get my SSI benefits! And that was only after I went to many Doctor visits that were doctors I was sent to by the Social Security Administration! My disability is a form of muscular dystrophy which causes me to not have any control over my cognitive skills! There is no way that I could lie about this as it is very obvious! And with what I was diagnosed with I will eventually be wheelchair-bound and unable to dress myself, feed myself, brush my hair, my teeth, etc. So, before making any comments such as you have you need to have all of your facts together because not all of us are lying or trying to deceive the American government!
Ricardo M.
I have been waiting for 5months now for my payment to go into my account direct deposit. I always see that social security is improving but I have yet to receive a letter or payment and I rely on my SSI after coming off chemotherapy and I have no job. I hope that I can get paid soon before I end up on the streets.
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Ricardo. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak with a supervisor during your next call or visit. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this is resolved soon.