Nearly 7.5 million people are to receive benefits this Friday, in the final payment on the SSA’s January schedule.

JONATHAN ERNST

Social Security

The Social Security Administration is making payments on Friday, Jan. 30: this is who benefits

British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.

Update: Jan 26th, 2026 09:02 EST

More than seven million people across the United States are this week due to receive an early benefits payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Who gets a payment on Jan. 30?

This Friday, Jan. 30, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program are to be issued their monthly payment for February.

Why is February’s SSI going out early?

SSI payments are typically made on the opening day of each month. However, February begins on a Sunday, so next month’s money is to be distributed on the nearest working day before Feb. 1.

According to the SSA’s distribution schedule, February’s benefits are the second of three straight SSI payments that are to be issued at the end of the previous month.

Who qualifies for SSI?

A scheme with just under 7.4 million beneficiaries in the U.S., according to the latest data published by the SSA, SSI is aimed at low-income, low-resource individuals who are over-65 or have a disability.

Unlike Social Security programs such as retirement benefits, survivor checks and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), eligibility for SSI does not depend on payment of Social Security taxes. It is a purely needs-based program.

For more information on who qualifies for SSI benefits, check out this page on the SSA website.

How much money do SSI recipients get? Increased payments in 2026

As of December 2025 - the most recent figures shared by the SSA - recipients of SSI received an average of $714.53 a month. Starting in January, however, recipients are getting a 2.8% increase in their monthly benefits.

This pay rise, which is also being applied to the SSA’s retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits, was confirmed in October, when the agency announced its latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

The maximum monthly amount available to an individual SSI claimant has risen from $967 per month to $994 per month. Eligible couples can claim a joint monthly payment of up to $1,491, up from $1,450.

Additional state SSI payments

Some SSI beneficiaries can get an extra monthly payment from their state. To find out more about the states that offer this supplement, take a look at this page on the SSA website.

When is Social Security sending out other February 2026 benefits?

Most recipients of retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits will get next month’s money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in February, depending on their date of birth:

Born on 1st-10th of any month: Weds., Feb. 11
Born on 11th-20th of any month: Weds., Feb. 18
Born on 21st-31st of any month: Weds., Feb. 25

This three-Wednesdays cycle does not apply to beneficiaries who began receiving retirement, survivor or SSDI benefits before May 1997. These long-term recipients are to be paid on Tuesday, Feb. 3, regardless of their date of birth.

What if you get both SSI and regular Social Security?

If you receive both SSI and any of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits, you are due to be paid the former on Jan. 30, followed by the latter on Feb. 3.

You’ll find the SSA’s complete benefits-payment schedule for the year ahead in this online calendar.

How does the Social Security Administration send out benefits?

The SSA says it is “in most cases” no longer issuing benefits as paper check. Instead, the agency provides recipients with two ways of receiving electronic payments:

Direct deposit

Beneficiaries can get their money by direct deposit, by supplying the SSA with their bank details.

Recipients of retirement, SSDI and survivor pay can provide their bank-account information on the online “my Social Security” portal. This service is not available to SSI beneficiaries, however; the agency says they must call 1-800-772-1213.

Direct Express Card

Recipients can also have their benefits paid onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal payments made to people without a bank account. You can sign up for at 1-800-333-1795 or on the Direct Express website.