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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Debora e.
Ok
April d.
U y’all help the SSI people who only make 943 amos will it go up for me or am I staying where I’m at on it
Cristine C.
Hi, I would like to know why when moving to Missouri I stopped getting cola or that check id receive in Cali and in Michigan why is Missouri which is so much harder to live in so under cared for. Disabilities are real we are not weak trash or useless but we do require this help to survive. I just do not understand the discrepancy if it’s federal money why is the state taking monies away. Something needs to be looked into here.
Mary W.
Who is supposed to help the people that were sent denials from federal appeal to email addresses that did not belong to them. Nothing came by mail. When ssa opened in 2022 I was told it was denied and had only to reapply as option because the 60 days to appeal had expired. Nothing to tell me this I had applied in 2014 was on last appeal federal court. Noone at ss offered any help. Lost all my backpack my case was approved in 2023 after I reapplied. Where’s the help that was promised. Just screw people around to avoid giving what is there’s legally.
Bradley P.
Man I can’t e even make it on what I get from SSI I have one dog and one cat I car rent food I have too go hungry so I can feed my fur baby my disability want let me set ina hot car for food lines are very long I worked all my life roughnecking roughneckini have caddracks g all my teeth acks really mmmbad mm see cathe never mind can see to fi sh this
Amanda D.
It breaks my heart to hear your struggle in the comment you wrote. I understand what you’re going through. I am disabled and live on a fixed income as well and in this day and time everything is so expensive, especially rent and groceries, you know the necessities, and it makes life harder causing us to become depressed. Especially for people like me who don’t have any family that can help me. We’ve gotta fill the world with love again and help each other out cause we shouldn’t have to be alone in this struggle. I wish you love and light and may bright blessings fall down on you always. God bless you. 🙏😇
Lou
Amen. Kindness, to one another goes a long way.
All the best from Ohio
Cristine C.
That’s sickening especially if your one of the people required to have a support animal. These animals cost allot but your right just their food and care often leaves you without the ability to buy the items like toilet paper but I guarantee not one owner lets his dog starve over daily care items. They should give a stipend for people with support animals if it’s proven they are required to have them for blindness or health reasons. The government often acts like we are shameful wretches that should be hidden not cared for and sadly if certain people get to be presidents all SSI and monies you earned deserve or need will disappear. We must all stand for the promises given us by our government and stop injustice. I pray you get help even if they cut me by enough to feed your puppy.
Phyllis O.
I have been on SSI for over 38years I need a home to live in I don’t have any money just my SSI from month to month . to live on and it’s just not enough money to even rent a place to live rent has gone up to high to even think about looking for a place to live . I just don’t know what to do about it anymore imt signed up for housing and what happens about that I was up on Rolling hills aps and the lady that came into work she is a new lady Helen mathous … She determined my apt for know reason at all and here’s another one Harrison village I was next at their housing and the girl sats me back 17teen people I just don’t think that is right at all look my health is not good at all I’m 65 year’s old it’s not right I need bill Lee gov to call them I need help I need the rights that all these girls getting apts left and right smoking meth and have all kinds of men in their apts all day everyday and night it’s just not right for the elderly people I can prove all that I am saying someone needs to help elderly people not meth heads it not right and meth heads are moving in apts ellegale my name is Phyllis O’Grady I’m telling the truth not lie’s
MDLCGW
Here is what I don’t understand how can a government agency tell someone who stood by her dying husband hospital bed for 4 months while he was dying with brain cancer that she is not entitled to his social security benefits because they were not married for over 2 years but his sister or his other living relatives are not entitled to receive his benefits but the government gets to keep it! SHAME ON YOU!!!!! Crooks & Thieves!!!!!
Bruce D.
Hi I have rheumatoid arthritis I can’t use my hands and most of the time my arms as well I’ve been in the tire early at 62 and I only make money from the social security that I get for that about $780 and I only get SSI at 170 I’m under $1,000 a month and I can’t live I’m having a really hard time and there seems to be no one to help me and keep telling me I have to wait till 65 minutes please someone help me
S.S.
Hi, Bruce. Thanks for reading our blog. Depending on your monthly income, you may be eligible for food stamps. You should contact your local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) office. Or you can call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SNAP information line at 1-800-221-5689. We hope this helps.
Debbie e.
I get 943 a month ok and I am on food stamps I only get 276 in food stamps I use to get 170 in cash n it went down to 65 in cash n because I can’t afford to pay for my cell phone public aid cur that 65 in cash to 35 now in cash .that extra cash us not enough and the 276 in food that don’t even last me a month so come on I have rent electric,gas ,garbage water bill I have to pay to get my grass out that’s 60 to 80 a month I can’t go anywhere I don’t have food I dint have anything I’m gonna lose where I live. I’m so behind in my reny and that’s 550 a month I grt 943 that’s not enugh I also have to pay someone to cut my grass that’s 60 to80 dollars a month I have no one I can get help from this ucks I been struggling for over 30 years I’m 63 n so far in debit and when the government made up the covid I really got into debit
Debora e.
You would think. That us that are on just ssi with no other income or anyone to helped we should get a boost and you need to give us that 2000 a month it would at least help n a good way. I don’t sleep I have bad anxiety cause I don’t know how long I will be able to stay in the home I rent .I’m a wreck a big
SNOPIXY
I live in Kansas, on SSI, I get food stamps…$20 a month
Ben S.
Still violating ADA title 2 FCC 508c and failing to redress grievances of ongoing communication violations over neuroracist policies.
Sue
Honestly the $900. A month isn’t enough to pay rent utilities groceries etc. These websites say SSI GONNA GET A BIG VHECK FALSE SCAM…NEED TO UP SSI NOT YEARLY BUT MONTHLY!
Debbie e.
Your right and the government don’t give to shit about us
Imscared t.
I dont want to leave my info because it seems like social security punishes you for speaking out! However, does this underpayment issue mean that when ever I get cola ill actually get it instead of receiving my cola and then the following month SSDI stating it was an overpayment and then my payment going back to what it was the original payment? I havent got a raise in like 4 – 5 yrs! I was trying to fight it at first but then I started losing my food stamps and then I lost my Medicaid. Now I have to pay extra for my Medicare. (Sometimes I get those backwards but I lost the state benefit and am having to pay into the federal health benefits now.) I keep getting the same answer every time I tried to fight it. I was told I made to much! I make about 1k a month! If Im making to much…. I feel bad for those making less than me. I mean seriously I can barely survive on what im making. I have cut everything out of my life except food and shelter. I dont know how the hell you would make it on less. If you have a room mate then they cut you for having a room mate. if your married they cut you for having additional income. So, exactly how are you supposed to live? Like be disabled and just find a nice place to die or something? Rice and beans are 10$ and Mcdonalds doesnt even have a 1$ menu to try and live off of which would kill you anyways but at least you could have some variety. People complain that if your on disability then your the reason taxes are so high but they dont realize NO ONE WANTS TO LIVE THIS HORRIBLE LIFE STYLE!!! NO ONE CHOSE THIS LIFE STYLE BUT IF YOUR THE PERSON LIVING THIS LIFE YOU SUFFER THE DISABILITY AND SUFFER UNDER POVERTY WAGES!!! THEN EVERYONE EXPECTS A TIP NO MATTER WHERE OR WHAT YOU DO!!! Then when you dont tip they look at you like your a jerk! I goto walmart to buy my beans and rice and the computer ask for a tip? WTF! NO! THEN SOMEONE WALKS BY AND CALLS ME A JERK! WTH!
Then the benefits from United health care DONT WORK! So, I have to pay for doctor visits (which should go on a card but the CARD DOESNT WORK!!!!) And UNH just says give them the card or try it this way. Then they say you earned extra cash! Which sits on the card BECAUSE THE F**** CARD DOESNT WORK!!!!
So, Any extra money I might be able to save GOES TO THE DOCTORS which I HAVE TO GOTO so, I can prove im still disabled every few months and DO THE SAME TEST so the doctors can make their money. EVERYONE IS MAKING MONEY OFF THE DISABLED! WHOS SUFFERING? ME
Who is living in poverty? ME
Who can barely afford to eat? ME
Who can barely have a place to live? ME!
Who is about to be homeless because HE CANT GET A RAISE (which probably doesnt matter BECAUSE INFLATION HAS BEEN AT LIKE 20% FOR THE LAST 5yrs) AND IM STILL MAKING ONLY 1000 A MONTH? ME!!!!!!!
Just to break it down for EVERYONE
20$ an hour x 40 hrs = 800$ x 4 weeks =3200$
Thats like minimum wage in Cali!
Lets break down what you earn if your on disability!!!!
1000$ / 4 = 250 /40 = 6.25 per hour!
I AM CURRENTLY GETTING LESS THAN MIN WAGE TO LIVE ON!!! BUT THATS OKAY RIGHT? Because im out of sight and out of mind! Maybe the disabled guy will die and we wont have to worry about him?
MAYBE THATS THE GOVERNMENTS PLAN?
IT WASNT JUST BIDEN…. THIS WAS UNDER TRUMP TOO!!!!
THIS AFFECTS SS, SSI, SSDI!!!! IF YOU RETIRE ON SS YOUR GOING TO GET SCREWED TOO!!!!
How do I know? I watched it happen to my dad! I watched him have a house lose his house because under SSI he couldnt afford SHIT!!!!
YES IM SCARED TO LEAVE ANY INFO!!! WHY? THEY JUST TRIED TO KILL TRUMP!!! WTF ARE THEY GOING TO DO TO ME WHEN I THINK THEY ARE ALREADY TRYING TO KILL ME? I KNOW THEY DONT CARE ABOUT MY HEALTH OR WELL BEING OR THEY WOULD SURE AS SHIT MAKE SURE I COULD AFFORD TO EAT!!!
For those of you on disability… I know its rough. I love yall! Stay strong. Find support groups. We have one life to live. We didnt choose this but we must show strength. We cant march (they def going to take our disability away if we march! because then we have the ability to do something!) We can reach out and support eachother! We can protest online.
Show love to eachother and build friendships with eachother. Thats all we got! Know that I love yall. Yall are the only family we have together and only ones who understand what we go through.
Debora e.
You are so right and I’m in the same boat as you are I’m dieing slowly cause I can’t eat for days cause I have no food n no money to buy food I only get 276 in food stamps that don’t even last 2 weeks the price of food n gas has gone up so high I only get 943 a month n I to am disabled
Ann D.
They need to change the savings amount my husband became disabled at a very young age we he started receiving SSI I was working the social security worker knew I had a job and had copy’s of my W2 now 2 years after he started receiving SSI we get a letter stating they over paid him so they reduced his check by 200 dollars because I had an income how can they wait that long and two we had kids so then the place I worked for closed and I got laid off collecting unemployment’ and a year later they took dollar for dollar because unemployment is not an earned income even though I had to work to get it and had to pay taxes on it left him with a hundred dollars.It crazy how they think someone can live off of what they get or if married they can’t have anything because SSI wants it all it’s not my husband fault he got hit by a car before he was old enough to work enough SS hrs to collect full SSD benefits
MajJohn
Overpayments are or can be recovered at the rate of 10% a month. If he’s truly without fault he can ask for a waiver of the overpayment. You make it sound as if there are no solutions and that somehow it’s the fault of the SSA that your husband was hit by a car.
Debora e.
That’s sad
.I to had gotten hit by a drunk driver holding at the time my 3 year old daughter we came out of a gas station and started to walk across the street were we lived and she hit me at 55 mph in a 35 mph zone I to was not able to ever work again I only receive 943 a month and it started out at 403 a month over 30 yes t s ago so I don’t have all the work credits to receive my own ss I’m 63 years old and live alone n struggle month to month I’m in so much debit I feel for you