Impact of government shutdown on social security
Here’s what you need to know about Social Security payments during the ongoing government shutdown.
Social Security payments in November will follow the normal schedule, leaving just two months until future cost-of-living increases begin.
Social Security benefits, which are paid primarily to elderly or retired beneficiaries, are typically paid on Wednesdays. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your payment will be made on the second Wednesday of the month (November 12th this month), according to the Social Security Administration’s calendar.
According to the SSA calendar, subsequent payments will be made weekly, with beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th being paid on the third Wednesday (November 19th), and beneficiaries born after the 20th being paid on the fourth Wednesday (November 26th). Social Security recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will receive payments on November 3.
People who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can expect Social Security payments on the 3rd of the month and SSI payments on the 1st of the month. However, if the first day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, such as in November (November 1st is a Saturday), SSI payments will be made earlier (October 31st).
The payments will not be affected by the government shutdown, and most should be issued electronically since the Sept. 30 deadline for the federal government to stop issuing paper checks has passed following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Recipients can also look forward to receiving a slightly larger check. Starting in January, benefit checks will reflect a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase. According to the Social Security Administration, your payments will increase by about $56 a month on average when the COLA kicks in.
Will Social Security payments be affected by the government shutdown?
No, even though thousands of SSA employees have been furloughed, Social Security and SSI payments will continue without change in pay date. SSA said funding for welfare programs is considered mandatory spending by law because its funding is not dependent on annual Congressional approval.
However, other services provided by SSA, such as the processing of new applications, may be affected by government system shutdowns and resulting employee shortages and displacement.
Complete 2025 Social Security Payment Calendar
Social Security payment schedule for November and upcoming months
The Social Security Administration’s 2025 and 2026 benefit payment calendars are available online so you can review the schedule for budgeting purposes.
Regular Social Security retirement benefits for November will be shipped on SSA’s regular schedule.
- Wednesday, November 12th: The date of birth is from the 1st to the 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, november 19: Birthdays are between the 11th and 20th of every month.
- Wednesday, November 26th: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st of each month.
SSI payment schedule for November, remainder of 2025, and through 2026
Recipients of Supplemental Securities Income checks are generally issued payments on the first business day of the month. However, because November 1st is a Saturday, these payments will be issued on October 31st. According to the SSA calendar, SSI checks will be mailed on the following days in 2025 and early 2026:
- Friday, October 31, 2025 (confirmed for November 2025)
- Monday, December 1, 2025 (confirmed in December 2025)
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (confirmed for January 2026)
- Friday, January 30, 2026 (confirmed for February 2026)
- Friday, February 27, 2026 (check for March 2026)
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (confirmed in April 2026)
- Friday, May 1, 2026 (Check May 2026)
- Monday, June 1, 2026 (confirmed in June 2026)
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit program for people with limited income or assets who are 65 years of age or older and are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with eligible disabilities are also eligible, according to the SSA website. Adults who qualify for SSI typically earn no more than $2,019 per month.
If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you can begin the application process online, in person at your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time on weekdays.
Contributors: Fernando Cervantes Jr., Mary Walrath-Holdridge And Medora Lee.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
What is everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter and get the latest news of the day
