It is almost July 2025 and monthly U.S. SSI payments are coming due. Recipients of Social Security benefits could experience interruptions in their payments. What are they due to? The Social Security Administration has made a decision to eliminate paper benefit checks. The aim is to reduce costs and to continue with the process of digitalization of the entity’s procedures. This could cause problems for the elderly or people living in rural areas, who do not have access to the digital portal of the Social Security Administration (SSA), so their payments could be interrupted.
Suplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income is a monthly financial assistance provided by the U.S. Treasury. It is administered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). In the United States, about 7.5 million people benefit from this type of assistance. The purpose of SSI is to help people who are in a vulnerable situation, or with a low percentage of income. It is not an assistance intended for everyone. It is intended for people 65 years of age or older, the disabled, and people or children who are at risk due to low income.
SSI Eligibility Requirements
The purpose of SSI is not a contributory benefit but a monthly financial assistance for those who need it. There are a number of requirements that must be met in order to qualify. These are:
- Be 65 years of age or older.
- Have a disability recognized by the SSA.
- Have a medical condition that demonstrates that you are unable to work.
- Have a low monthly income. Amounts depend on whether you are a family with dependent children ($2,019), a couple ($3,000) or a single individual ($2,000).
- You must be a resident of the United States or possess an accepted immigration permit.
Watch out! If you meet all of these characteristics but at the same time receive a high amount of retirement, other benefits or types of income, eligibility may be eliminated.
SSI Amounts
This 2025, the Social Security Administration has updated the maximum amounts that can be received to remain eligible for SSI. These figures vary depending on the case and the household.
- Individuals who have no other significant income can receive up to $967 per month.
- Eligible households who receive other income can receive up to $1,450.
- In addition, there are state benefits that can be added to this amount, as is the case in California, which is known to be one of the top states for supplemental benefits.
Possible payment interruptions
The Social Security Administration has implemented a new measure this 2025 that all beneficiaries should be aware of. It will take effect as of September 30, 2025. As of this month, payments of benefits and monthly payments will no longer be made by paper check; instead, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will proceed to make all payments electronically, including SSDI and SSI. There are still many beneficiaries receiving paper checks, 494,000 to be precise. At first glance, this change should not be a problem, right? Well, it does.
The reality is that the vast majority of people who continue to receive payments in physical checks are elderly, have limited or no internet access, or live in rural areas. In short, people who have digital limitations.
The U.S. Treasury Department has justified this decision on multiple grounds. On the one hand, to suppress the costs which, according to them, amount to $657 million per year. On the other hand, it is intended to reduce the number of lost or stolen checks, which almost equals the previous figure of 500,000 per year.
What to do if I receive my checks physically?
The indications given by the Social Security for these cases are very simple.
- Log in (or create an account), in My Social Security, on the Social Security website.
- Select “Direct Deposit” and once there, provide the necessary information: name of the bank, type of account, account number.
If you are unable to access or do not have a traditional bank account, you will need to go to an SSA office and call and request a Direct Express card. In it, the government will deposit your income and you will not have to pay any commission.