MILLIONS of retirees will get their next Social Security payment worth up to $1,657 tomorrow.
The benefits will be sent out to Americans born between the 20th and 31st of the month.
It comes as exact dates for Social Security claimants to expect payments have been revealed, with checks ultimately totaling over $10,000 now available.
The SSI average benefit is $621 per month this year, up by $34 from 2021. This equals $7,452 each year.
The monthly maximum for SSI is $841 per month for an individual in 2022 or totaling about $10,092 a year.
If your birth date is between the first and 10th, the payment will be deposited on the second Wednesday of each month.
If your birth date is on the 11th-20th, it will be deposited on the third Wednesday of each month.
And if your birth date is on the 21st-31st, it will be deposited on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Read our Supplemental Security Income live blog for the latest news and updates…
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What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a government program that assists persons who are unable to earn enough money on their own.
Adults with disabilities, children with disabilities, and those aged 65 and over are eligible.
Individuals with sufficient job experience may be eligible for SSI payments in addition to disability or retirement benefits.
Likewise, individuals receive different amounts depending on their other sources of income and where they live.
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Recent cost-of-living adjustments
The 2022 COLA is the biggest increase since a 7.4 percent hike in January 1983.
Recent increases according to the Social Security Administration include:
- January 2012 — 3.6 percent
- January 2013 — 1.7 percent
- January 2014 — 1.5 percent
- January 2015 — 1.7 percent
- January 2016 — 0.0 percent
- January 2017 — 0.3 percent
- January 2018 — 2.0 percent
- January 2019 — 2.8 percent
- January 2020 — 1.6 percent
- January 2021 — 1.3 percent
- January 2022 — 5.9 percent
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Taking action on late benefits
If you believe your Social Security check was stolen, you need to contact the SSA office immediately.
If your delay is due to a change in personal information, such as a banking account or address update, call your local SSA office or 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7am – 7pm).
For any other delays, the SSA suggests you wait three business days for your check to arrive.
After that date, you should call the SSA.
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If benefits are late…
The Social Security Administration has shared the 2022 payment schedule.
If you believe your Social Security check was stolen, you need to contact the Social Security Administration office immediately.
If your delay is due to a change in personal information, such as a banking account or address, call your local SSA office or 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7am – 7pm).
For any other delays, the SSA suggests you wait three business days for your check to arrive.
After that date, you should call the SSA.
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Executive order, part three
While the order should be positive for benefit claimants across the US, it’s not yet clear when the measures will be implemented.
The move by the White House came ahead of the holiday schedule of government benefits that was sent to eligible Americans.
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Executive order, part two
A portal for Medicare claimants is also in the works that will target ways they can save money on healthcare and drugs.
“You should be able to apply for Social Security benefits without needing to go to a Social Security office and have Medicare proactively reach out to you with the tools you need to manage your health and save money,” Mr Biden told reporters ahead of signing the order.
Other Americans who get benefits such as food stamps will also find it easier to receive them and to confirm their eligibility and income, Bloomberg reported.
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Executive order on benefits
Americans could get their hands on Social Security, food stamps, and other government benefits faster under a new executive order.
Signed by President Joe Biden late last year, the order will require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to call back Americans rather than placing them on hold.
Social Security benefit seekers will also get a new online tool that aims to cut waiting times.
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Contacting the SSA, continued
The following are examples of automated telephone services:
- Requesting a benefit verification letter or replacement tax summary
- Requesting a replacement Medicare Card or applying for help with Medicare prescription drug costs
- Getting claim status
- Finding addresses for local Social Security offices
- Requesting a form to apply for Social Security cards or make changes
- Hearing information about SSI, COLA, taxes, payment delivery dates, direct deposit, fraud, and other Social Security services
- Updating addresses or phone numbers for Social Security benefits
You can contact the TTY line at 1-800-325-0778 if you’re deaf or hard of hearing and use TTY equipment.
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Contacting the SSA
During the coronavirus pandemic, several Social Security offices were only open for in-person visits for severe cases.
The easiest method to reach a representative for assistance, according to the Social Security Administration, is to go to SSA.gov or phone 1-800-772-1213 between 8am and 7pm, Monday through Friday.
According to the administration, wait times are often shorter Wednesday through Friday or later in the day.
Telephone services that are automated are also accessible 24 hours a day.
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Claiming full benefits
Your full Social Security benefit depends on the age you retire.
If you retire at 67, which is the full retirement age, in January 2022, your maximum benefit would be $3,345.
If you retire at age 62 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $2,364, according to the Social Security Administration.
If you retire at age 70 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $4,194.
The SSA also confirmed that the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax would increase this month.
This will increase from $142,800 to $147,000, following an increase in average wages.
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Inflation takes its toll
Inflation has become much worse in recent months, with Americans looking to return to normal life.
Recent data on inflation from the Bureau of Labor shows that consumer prices rose 5.4 percent in the year to September – a troubling trend for seniors relying on Social Security checks.
Typically, inflation triggers when the supply doesn’t meet the demand – resulting in rising prices across the economy.
Everything in necessities from food to gas has gotten much more expensive.
