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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Jamie K.
I apologize in advance for the following rant, but I need to get this off my chest cause it’s a little overwhelming…
I was approved for both disability and SSI. It took 2 years for the approval, after about 3 applications, which occurred 2 months ago. They forcibly put me on Medicare, so now I have co-payments that I can’t pay to get my medicine because I haven’t received my benefits yet. I get 943 dollars month because I’m a blind type 1 diabetic with a pacemaker. I’ve been living with my mom for 5 and a half years, because I couldn’t work, and because of that, I can’t get Medicaid to cover my co-payments. I’m moving to another state and have to figure out how to afford to pay rent and electric without the lease or bills being in my name because I’m moving in with a friend because I can’t be alone with my health. I have a criminal background and can’t get approved for a lot of apartments. SSI doesn’t take any of this in, and disability work history goes back only 10 years. I haven’t worked for 6 of those because of my disabilities, so I only get 600 in disability, which I don’t even get because they cut that much out of my SSI so ALL I can make is 943. Before the 6 year work gap, I’ve worked and paid taxes since I was 13. The system is a joke. They want you to rely on them and just string you along hoping the old and the disabled will just die off in the process. It’s ridiculous the way they treat people who actually need help. Average rent in any given place in the country is over 1000 a month, and that’s if you can pass a background check. A lot of people have horrible credit, and maybe even a criminal background like me, so low-income housing isn’t available and even though I’ve worked my whole life, paid my dues and taxes, been an outstanding member of a community aside from the fake criminal history that I didn’t deserve, the government can’t be bothered to make sure I can survive in today’s economy. You wanna put comments in the section about caring about people and community effects and helping people? My health is degrading because of all their “due process”, and I can’t live with my conditions as a homeless person. So, SSA, you figure it out. Meanwhile, I’ll struggle and continue watching drug addicts who never worked a day in their life draw $1500+ dollars a month from my hole in the dirt where you’re making sure I stay. 🙄
On the other hand, I AM extremely grateful for the local office and their employees, MOST of whom seen genuinely to try and help any way that they can. If not for them, the entire process would be too overwhelming to handle. At least SOMEONE cares about real people with real issues.
Alexandra B.
I have just finished reading your reviews. My God this is so sad. We can’t allow this to go on. They worked. They’re old or severely disabled or both. This is cruel and unusual punishment on folks who’ve committed no crime and its illegal the last time I checked. Instead of buying guns forthe people in the Ukraine, make it right with these folks! Many of them want to work! Retired and want to work because they can’t afford not to. I am relating to that like heck. Personally. I’m all for helping others who need it. But ” charity starts at home”. Doesn’t it?
Janie M.
Please pray for us had to move because rent is so expensive had to just buy bread milk and eggs before I make sure I have enough money 💰 pray for us Amen 🙏 🙌❤
Renee C.
The Lord will help you if you ask him but for some reason you must ask
Delana M.
Before I turned 65 years old, I was receiving SSI…never have recieved the $900.00 payment ever. It has always been $400.00 or less.
Now, I received my Social Security benefit; but it is considered income and the amount is deducted from the SSI benefit.
SSI announced they overpaid me $8000.00 during COVID from 2019 to 2023. Now an extra $97.00 a month deduction is being taken out each month from my SSI.
If I was able to work, my Social Security benefit decreases.
SSA wants me to live in poverty & I pray monthly that I can afford to pay my electrity and purchase enough food to not starve to death.
I have lost 110 lbs over 1 year.
I now get food out of dumpsters. The food pantries here only hand out desserts & GMO cereal. No milk. No meats. Rarely a vegetable.
I can’t afford to buy meats. I buy cheese instead of meats.
I bake and eat bread mostly.
JESSICA F.
WHEN IS THE SSA GOING TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT A PERSON, RECEIVING SS1, CAN HAVE IN THEIR ACCOUNTS? RIGHT NOW, TO MY UNDERSTANDING, WE CAN ONLY HAVE NO MORE THAN $1000.00, IN BOTH SAVINGS AND CHECKING. A TOTAL OF $2000.00! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? IN 2024, $2000.00 IS NOT GOING TO GET YOU FAR! ESPECIALLLY, IN CALIF!!! WHEN WOLL THE SSA RAISE THAT AMOUNT, AND STOP “PENALIZING” PEOPLE THAT GO OVER THAT AMOUNT? IS THE SSA DESTINED TO KEEP SSI RECIPENTS IN A “PROVERTY” STATE OF BEING???
YOU CAN’T EVEN GET A USED CAR, FOR THAT AMOUNT ANY MORE. LET ALONE PAY FOR INSURANCE, RENT, FOOD, MEDICAL BILLS, ETC. THE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE!!! SO PLEASE, SSA, STOP KEEPING US, BELOW THE POVERTY LINE!!!!!
Steven D.
I receive SSI, I am disabled, struggle to buy food, I get ,$55.00 a month on my bridges food card, when I get paid I pay all my bills before I buy food, which takes the rest of my money.then there’s the food bank the fourth Wednesday of every month. The food bank use to give enough food that I could spread out for the rest of the month, but early this last spring they started cutting back on things like toilet tissue, milk, and a lot more essentials. Now by the third week, I’m out of food and have to look for something to stretch through until the fourth week when the food bank comes, I live below poverty, I am handicapped use a wheelchair most of the time to move around, cook , do diches and other things that need to be done, I can’t move my lawn anymore so I have to pay to have it mowed. I’ll probably be dead by the next two years. So then nothing will matter anyway, I just wish life wasn’t so hard to live after I have worked most of my life. I thought I struggled then, well getting SSI and living below property is a lot worse.
Denise h.
I have same problem.and I had rather work than be disabled cause iv worked ever since I was 14 and one day got sick and can’t hardly breathe and by the time bills are paid I don’t even have the money to get anything ti eat so there is days I just don’t eat don’t know why I’m so fat cause half the time I’m just nit eating cause no money but what I can’t understand is there are people out hear that gets 700-900 in foodstamps when I sign up for them all I can get is $35.00 I guess they are pros with the lies they tell.just wanted to share how life is as a person gets older
Quacy M.
People at Canarsie US Social Security Administration at address 1871 Rockaway Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11236 keep trying to give me a payee that can get my payee hurt from just holding my money as a second or holder
S.S.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Quacy. 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. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also submit feedback by visiting our How can we help? webpage. From there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email Our Support Team” form where you can submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this is resolved soon.
Kenneth C.
Where’s mine??
Debbie e.
Am i getting an undepayment direct depisites into ny checking account if so when i applied in 1997 ndidnt my first check of 193.00 in 1998 n that didnt help me at is now 2024 i get onkt 943 00
Barry W.
Never got my check never got my check
Debbie e.
Me neither n like everyone else that check would help some what
Debota e.
I am on SSI .that’s is my only income .I have no other sources whatsoever.943.00a month is nothing .I owe so much debit and it got really bad for me when covis came into our world .I also went 2 months with no SSI checks .thanks to social security .I had my identity stolen in 2021 I reported it to social security as soon as I found out .mind you this was November 26th 2021 .and gave then the information to stop my direct deposite to at that time i had chime. In December 25th 2021 I called social security to see If they were gonna mail my check the women say MO we deposited into your chime account well that’s check ssi I didn’t get I did my part they had a month to stop my direct deposit. Do get my 2 months of checks I been fighting for them still up to date