The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for distributing monthly Social Security checks to Americans eligible for retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Every year, the SSA publishes its Social Security payment schedule, which outlines the specific dates for beneficiaries to anticipate their payments. For this month, beneficiaries can expect one final October check to be delivered on Wednesday, October 23rd. This forthcoming payment has been confirmed and will be the last Social Security check issued for October. Next Wednesday, individuals receiving benefits from the RSDI program who claimed after May 1997 and were born between the 21st and 31st of the month will receive the last check for October.
Notably, this payment includes the 3.2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) that was established last October. Following the issuance of this payment, the SSA will revert to its regular schedule on the first of November. It's important to note that November will feature some minor adjustments in the regular payment schedule, which beneficiaries should be aware of. Despite SSA's commitment to timely payments, beneficiaries are advised that any delays might be attributable to their bank's processing times. In such cases, it is recommended to wait at least three postal days before contacting SSA customer service.
Beneficiaries can also utilize their 'My Social Security Account' to obtain detailed information regarding their monthly payment amounts. To make the Social Security processes simpler and more accessible for individuals with disabilities, the SSA has implemented changes to reduce bureaucracy. These changes are part of the 'Interim Improvements to the Disability Adjudication Process,' which were issued on April 18. The revised process aims to minimize the waiting period for claimants receiving their first Social Security payment following an SSA decision. This initiative is part of a broader Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to rebuild trust in government.
A notable shift in the disability certification process is the simplification of assessing whether a person can perform any tasks related to past relevant work. According to the new requirements, claimants are expected to submit job-related documentation with more convenient and brief intervals. Specifically, any past employment starting or ending within 30 days of the application is no longer considered by the SSA. Furthermore, instead of demonstrating fifteen years of professional experience, applicants are now required to provide proof of only five years.
