No, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not shutting down; payments continue even during government shutdowns because Social Security is an essential service, but local office services become limited, causing delays for things like benefit verification, while new applications and appeals may also slow down due to reduced staffing. The program isn't going away long-term, but there are ongoing concerns about future funding, with reports indicating potential benefit cuts in the future if Congress doesn't act.
We want you to know that during the federal government shutdown, payments to all people who currently receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue with no change in payment dates. You will still receive your payments on time.
While Social Security is unlikely to disappear, it may undergo changes. Nevertheless, you can take proactive steps now to prepare for potential changes and protect your future retirement income.
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year's report. At that time, the fund's reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits.
Latest COLA
Social Security benefits will increase by 2.8 percent beginning with the December 2025 benefits, which are payable in January 2026. Federal SSI payment levels will also increase by 2.8 percent effective for payments made for January 2026.
Your SSI went down likely due to unreported income (job, gifts), a change in living situation (moving in with someone providing food/shelter), a past overpayment the Social Security Administration (SSA) is collecting, or new eligibility for other benefits like Workers' Comp, as the SSA adjusts benefits based on other resources or support. The SSA sends notices for these changes, so check for mail or log in to your online account for details on what caused the reduction.
Maximum Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amounts increase with the cost-of-living increases that apply to Social Security benefits. The latest such increase, 2.8 percent, becomes effective January 2026.
If no changes to the system are made, the Social Security Administration will be unable to pay scheduled benefits in full and on time starting in 2035; however, that doesn't mean you won't get any benefits.
The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.
Introduced in Senate (10/30/2025) To provide economic recovery payments to recipients of social security, supplemental security income, railroad retirement benefits, and veterans disability compensation or pension benefits.
WHAT IS SSI? SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.
Although payments are terminated for death and medical recovery, suspension of payments is common, particularly for financial reasons. Payments may be suspended because the recipient has excess earnings, excess unearned income, excess resources, or a change in living arrangements.
Yes, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, increasing the maximum federal payment to $994 per month for individuals and $1,491 for couples, with the first increased payments made at the end of December 2025.
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program) isn't entirely paused but faces significant risks and potential freezes due to recent federal budget uncertainties and proposed cuts, with existing payments continuing short-term but new applications and voucher issuances likely halted or limited if funding isn't resolved, potentially causing disruptions for tenants and landlords if shutdowns persist past late 2025. While some essential housing funds might be extended (like through December 2025), the long-term outlook involves funding reductions and potential shifts to state control, affecting future voucher availability.
November 2025 Social Security: Who gets paid and when during government shutdown. Social Security payments will still go out on schedule this month despite the government shutdown — and SSI recipients already received their November payment early due to a calendar quirk.
Social Security payments for retirees will still be available after 2033, but they'll only receive 77% of their full benefits. The fund used to pay disability benefits is anticipated to become insolvent in 2034, at which time it will be able to pay 81% of benefits.
However, this does not mean that benefits will stop in 2034. If no action is taken by Congress to ensure the solvency of the Trust Funds, the Social Security program will have enough FICA taxes coming in to pay about 80% of scheduled benefits.
By looking at historical data on annual hikes in Social Security payments, the average monthly payment for retirees by 2030 is expected to have climbed to more than $2,000, according to an analysis by Better Benefits Guide.
For 2025, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) saw a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), raising the federal benefit rate (FBR) to $967 monthly for individuals and $1,450 for couples, effective January 2025, alongside increased income/resource thresholds like the SSI Student Exclusion, with some later changes (like a 2026 COLA) announced for late 2025. Key 2025 changes included a 2.5% COLA for benefits starting January 2025 and updates to disability/student income limits, with another COLA announced for 2026, increasing payments in late 2025.
The Worst-Case Scenario: Benefits Could Be Cut
If you plan to rely on the program in 2035, keep in mind there's a chance you could receive less in Social Security benefits than you might have expected. If no changes are made to deal with the trust fund shortfall, benefits will have to be reduced by upwards of 25%.
Due to the way the 2025 calendar falls, two SSI payments will go out in the month of October – one payment went out on Oct. 1 for October's benefits, while the second payment will go out on Friday, Oct. 31 for the month of November's benefits.
The highest monthly SSI payment for an individual in 2026 is $994, while for an eligible couple, it's $1,491, plus potential state supplements that can raise the total amount, with payments depending on countable income, resources, and living situation.