Although the United States Social Security Administration only sends one retirement check per month to citizens with a benefit, the truth is that it is possible to get an extra check of up to $943 if we meet some requirements. The important thing in these cases is to meet all the mandatory requirements. Only in this way will we be able to get this check.
While it is true that the maximum payment for this Social Security benefit is $943 this does not mean that all beneficiaries will get such a high check. This is the maximum, the ceiling, so let’s not forget this information, since it is very important to determine if we will really get the benefit or not. The amount that the Administration sends us depends on several factors, so the maximum check is only reserved for a reduced group.
But this is not bad news, since the average check for this extra Social Security benefit is around $500, which is also a great help. Even in cases where this check is smaller we find that it is a really good help, since the payment arrives every month to all beneficiaries and extra money is always welcome.
Who can get an extra $943 payment from Social Security?
There are two mandatory requirements for the Social Security Administration to send us this check every month. These two requirements are not avoidable, so if we don’t meet them we can forget about getting the payment of up to $943 extra. Still, remember that there are other different benefits, not just SSA, that we can apply for.
If we want to get this benefit, called Supplemental Security Income, we must meet these two requirements:
- Be age 65 or older or have a disability.
- Have a low monthly income, as well as low resources.
In the first of these requirements, it should be noted that it is not necessary to have a disability or retirement benefit to access the check. Just by being 65 years of age or older or having a recognized and documented disability, we will be able to access the payment. The Supplemental Security Income check is compatible with other Social Security payments, but it is not necessary to have a retirement benefit to apply for it.
In the case of low resources and low monthly income, the Social Security Administration conducts a case-by-case review of each applicant. The final payment of the Supplemental Security Income will depend directly on this aspect, since the lower the purchasing power, the higher the payment that the Administration will grant.
In this sense, it is also possible that the money we get each month may vary a little. If at some point we have a higher monthly income, the Administration could give us a lower Supplemental Security Income check. This rule would also work the other way around.
Supplemental Security Income payments arrive on the 1st of each month, with some exceptions. Since the Social Security Administration does not pay checks on holidays and weekends, when this is the case, it sends it on the immediately preceding business day. Even so, without Direct Deposit the payment arrives a few days later, but if we activate this collection method we will find the money immediately in our bank account.