If you’re feeling confused about Social Security right now, you’re definitely not alone. With all the talk of a government shutdown, changes to disability rules, and the delayed cost of living adjustment (COLA) announcement, it’s been hard to know what’s really going on. That’s why we’ve put together this guide—to give you the facts in plain language, so you can plan ahead with confidence.
Let’s walk through what’s happening with your November payment, what the delay in the COLA announcement means for your benefits, and a few other updates that are especially important as we head into the holidays.
Are Social Security Payments Delayed by the Shutdown?
Thankfully, no. Even if other parts of the government are closed or delayed, your Social Security payment is protected. It comes from a separate trust fund, so these benefits keep flowing regardless of political gridlock.
That said, if you need to contact the Social Security Administration directly, you might experience slower service, especially in person. The good news is that most services are still available through your My Social Security account online, so you can take care of most things digitally.
When You’ll Get Your November 2025 Payment
Payment dates depend on what kind of benefit you receive and when you started getting it. Here’s how November’s payments are scheduled:
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your payment will arrive on Friday, October 31. That’s because November 1 falls on a Saturday, and the government doesn’t send payments on weekends. Don’t let any scary headlines fool you—your check isn’t missing, it’s just arriving a little early.
If you receive both SSI and SSDI, you’ll get your SSI on October 31 and your SSDI on Monday, November 3. The same November 3 payment date applies if you’ve been receiving Social Security since before May 1997.
For everyone else, your payment is tied to the birthday of the person whose work record the benefits are based on. If that’s you, your spouse, or your parent, here’s what to expect:
- If the birthday falls between the 1st and 10th, the payment arrives Wednesday, November 12
- If it’s between the 11th and 20th, the payment arrives Wednesday, November 19
- If it’s between the 21st and 31st, the payment arrives Wednesday, November 26
Keep in mind that while these are the official payment dates, your bank might process the deposit a little early or a little late, depending on how they handle government transfers.
What’s the Hold-Up with the 2026 COLA?
Every fall, the Social Security Administration announces the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the following year. That adjustment increases your benefit to help offset inflation. But this year, the announcement is a little behind schedule due to the government shutdown.
The official announcement is now expected on October 24, 2025, which is when the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the final inflation data needed to calculate the COLA. Based on current estimates, the increase will likely land around 2.7%, but we won’t know the exact number until that report comes out.
The good news? Even though the announcement is delayed, the increase will still take effect in January 2026. You don’t need to do anything to receive it—Social Security will automatically adjust your payments.
We’ll be going live with a full update as soon as that announcement is official, so stay tuned.
Important Social Security Updates
We’ve also covered several other updates that are especially important this month, and you can dive deeper into each of these with the linked resources below.
We recently shared some smart ways you might be able to legally increase your Social Security check. Many people don’t realize how small errors or missed credits can reduce what they receive. You can find these tips in our article on 10 smart, legal ways to increase your Social Security check.
There’s also been talk of a major shift in disability rules. The SSA is considering removing age as a factor when determining eligibility for SSDI, which could affect up to 750,000 older adults. For details on what’s being proposed and who could be impacted, check out our coverage of the proposed SSDI changes for seniors.
Since it’s Medicare open enrollment season, we’ve also outlined 7 mistakes to avoid when updating your Medicare plan. This is the perfect time to review your Annual Notice of Change and compare plan options to make sure you’re still getting the best value.
We’ve also cleared up some confusion around retirement age. Despite online rumors, the SSA isn’t raising the full retirement age beyond what’s already in place for people born in 1960 or later. If you’ve seen those headlines, be sure to read our guide on the truth about Social Security retirement age changes.
Finally, there are a lot of harmful myths going around that could cause people to lose money. We break them down in our article on Social Security myths that could cost you thousands.
Relief Recap
Your November payment is safe—even with the government shutdown—and the COLA increase for 2026 will still be applied to your benefits in January. Now is a great time to double-check your payment date, review your Medicare plan, and make sure your Social Security records are accurate.
We’ll keep you updated with every new development and continue looking for new ways to help you save money and get the support you deserve.