The payment is aimed at certain enrollees who purchased health coverage through the federal marketplace and paid the full cost of their premiums without receiving financial assistance.

What is the Affordable Care Act, and how does it work?

The ACA allows people who do not have health insurance to obtain coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. In states that use this system, enrollment is done through HealthCare.gov.

Depending on income and household composition, enrollees can access a premium tax credit, which reduces the monthly amount they have to pay for their insurance. On the other hand, some users pay the full cost because they do not receive this assistance.

When and why are $500 refunds received?

On September 10, the current administration announced a one-time $500 refund per person for nearly one million ACA enrollees. The checks will begin to be sent starting in October 2026.

According to the Government, during the previous administration, user fees were charged linked to the operation of the federal marketplace, which generated a surplus above the operational needs of HealthCare.gov. For that reason, it was decided to return part of those funds to certain consumers who paid their premiums without receiving assistance.

The payment is not a new ACA tax credit or a refund obtained when filing a tax return

What are the eligibility requirements?

According to the official information, the refund is aimed at people who:

• We’re covered through the ACA insurance marketplace.
• Paid the full cost of their premiums without receiving premium assistance.
• We’re enrolled through the federal marketplace and not through a separate state marketplace.
• Lived in one of the 30 states included in the program.

It is estimated that about 950,000 people will be reached by the “Working Families Obamacare Refunds” program.

The states included are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The extension applies to deadlines that fall between September 30, 2026, and September 30, 2027. The new guidance builds on previous IRS relief issued for taxpayers affected by events in Israel since October 2023.

Who qualifies for the IRS tax relief?

The relief generally applies to taxpayers affected by the conflict in the covered area. This includes:

• Individuals whose principal residence is in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza.
• Businesses and sole proprietors whose principal place of business is in the covered area.
• Relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization who are assisting in the covered area.
• Taxpayers whose tax return preparer or necessary tax records are located in the covered area.
• Spouses of eligible taxpayers, for purposes of a joint tax return.
• Certain individuals who were visiting the covered area were killed, injured, or taken hostage as a result of the events.

The IRS says it will generally identify eligible taxpayers whose principal residence or principal place of business is in the covered area based on previously filed returns and apply the relief automatically.

What deadlines are being postponed?

Eligible taxpayers can receive additional time for a wide range of federal tax obligations, including filing certain returns, making tax payments and completing other time-sensitive actions. The postponement covers qualifying deadlines during the period specified in the IRS guidance and, for eligible taxpayers under the series of related notices, can extend relief dating back to October 7, 2023.

Taxpayers who believe they qualify but whose filing address is outside the covered area can contact the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227. International callers can use 267-941-1000 to request the relief.

In addition, those who receive this benefit can already check the scheduled dates for the coming months and the current maximum amounts, while anticipation grows for the next Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) that will affect 2027 benefits.

Why will SSI recipients receive two payments in October?

The first payment is scheduled for Thursday, October 1 and corresponds to the installment for the current month, while the second will arrive on Friday, October 30. This other payment corresponds to the November benefit.

This is because SSA sends SSI payments on the first calendar day of each month, and if that date falls on a non-business day, the law requires the deposit to be made on the last preceding business day.

As a result, there are months in which two installments are paid because the payment for the following month is advanced. Therefore, there are no SSI payments scheduled during November.

When are the payments scheduled for the rest of 2026?

According to the official SSA calendar, the remaining dates for SSI-only beneficiaries are as follows: Social Security Administration

• October 1, 2026: payment corresponding to October.
• October 30, 2026: payment corresponding to November, advanced because November 1 falls on a Sunday.
• December 1, 2026: payment corresponding to December.
• December 31, 2026: payment corresponding to January 2027, advanced because January 1 is a federal holiday.

How much is the SSI amount and how much is it expected to increase due to COLA?

During 2026, the maximum federal monthly SSI amount is US$994 for an eligible individual and US$1,491. For a so-called “essential person,” the maximum is US$498. These amounts include the 2.8% COLA that took effect in January 2026.

The adjustment for 2027 has not yet been confirmed, as the official figure is expected to be released on October 14, 2026. However, several estimates place the increase between 3.5% and 3.6%.

Nothing is final yet. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expected to announce the official figure on October 14, 2026, after the September inflation data are released. The calculation uses the average CPI-W for July, August and September, and September is the only month still missing.

2027 Social Security COLA estimates

The data already published points upward. The CPI-W rose 3.5% over the 12 months ending in August, compared with 3.4% in July. Separately, gasoline prices were 27.4% higher than a year earlier in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Forecasters don’t fully agree. AARP estimates 3.6%, while The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) estimates 3.5%. Other analysts have offered lower projections. A 3.5% COLA would increase the average Social Security retirement benefit by roughly $72 a month, based on the SSA’s January 2026 average of $2,071.

Higher benefits won’t necessarily translate into the same increase in retirees’ disposable income. The CPI-W tracks the spending patterns of urban wage earners and clerical workers, rather than retirees specifically. In addition, Medicare Part B premiums are projected to rise to $209.50 a month in 2027, from $202.90 in 2026.

The payment calendar shows that, during this month, payments will start in the second full week of October 2026.

October’s Social Security payment dates confirmed

The retirement benefits are issued on Wednesday based on birth-date ranges, but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks are paid the first business day of each month.

• Recipients born between the 1st and the 10th will receive Social Security payment on October 14th.
• Recipients born between the 11th and 20th will receive their checks on October 21.
• Those born between the 21st and 31st will be paid on Wednesday, October 28.
• Recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997 are scheduled to be paid on October 3.

October schedule SSI payment for recipients

Supplemental Security Income is another type of benefit from the SSA for eligible recipients. These payments arrive on the first business day of the month, but if the date falls on a federal holiday or a weekend, the payment will be released on the business day before the original date.

• October 2026: Thursday, October 1.
• November 2026: Friday, October 30.
• December 2026: Tuesday, December 1.
• January 2027: Thursday, December 31, 2026.

Beneficiaries who receive both Social Security benefits from the Social Security Administration and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may receive two payments in October because they are eligible for both programs. These are separate payments corresponding to each benefit.

For noncitizens, this is a fundamental procedure, especially if they plan to work or receive certain government assistance payments. Here we tell you what documents are needed in each case and how the process can be carried out.

What documents are needed to apply for the Social Security Number (SSN) for the first time as a noncitizen

SSA indicates that to carry out this process, all of the documents listed below must be presented:

Proof of immigration status

Form I-551 with a foreign passport, Form I-766 or I-94.

F-1 or M-1 students must show their Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status and J-1 or J-2 exchange visitors must show their Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

Work eligibility

The I-94 or a stamp in the passport showing work-eligible admission will be sufficient.

F-1 students eligible to work on campus must present a letter with identification, current school status, employer identification, and type of work. In addition, proof of that employment will be needed, such as a signed and dated letter from the employer. This letter must describe:

• The work to be performed
• Employment start date
• Number of hours to be worked
• Name and phone number of the supervisor

If you are an authorized F-1 student to work in curricular training (CPT), you must provide Form I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by the responsible party. If you have a DHS I-766 work permit, you must present it. J-1 students must provide a letter from their sponsor.

Those who do not have work authorization may also apply, but receive government benefits that require an SSN. In these situations, a letter from the corresponding agency is needed.

Age

The birth certificate issued abroad must be presented. Children under 12 must be interviewed.

Identity

An updated DHS document will also be requested, such as a Lawful Permanent Resident Card, an I-94, or a work permit.

Important information about this process

SSA specifies that the Social Security number cannot be obtained solely to apply for a driver’s license

Social Security Number and card: how to apply for them for the first time

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), those who are in the United States can complete the process online and then go to an office to submit the corresponding documentation. The process can be started by clicking here.

“Once your application is approved, you will receive a Social Security card with your number by mail within 5 to 10 business days,” the authorities say.

In the case of premiums for drug coverage, a 38% reduction is expected. In addition, the agency anticipated that premiums for standalone Part D prescription drug plans could increase by less than US$1 a month.

How do private Medicare plans work?

Also known as Part C, Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

A person can access one of these plans if they are enrolled in Original Medicare, that is, both Part A, which covers hospital coverage, and Part B, which covers medical services and outpatient care.

Part C plans combine the benefits of both parts of Original Medicare into a single coverage. In addition, in some cases they can include Part D for prescription drugs.

What would the prices of these Medicare plans be?

According to the CMS press release, the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium is expected to fall from US$14.37 in 2026 to US$12 in 2027, representing a reduction of nearly 16.5%.

This is not an exact or universal cost. The amount will depend on the company, the type of plan, the state and the benefits purchased. CMS says that nearly eight in ten people currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage will be able to stay in their same plan in 2027 with a premium equal to or lower than that of 2026.

What happens with Part D and prescription drug plans?

For standalone Part D plans, CMS projects that the average monthly premium will increase by less than US$1 and will go from US$35.09 in 2026 to approximately US$36 in 2027.

According to the agency, 88% of beneficiaries who do not receive low-income subsidies will have access to a basic plan with a monthly premium of US$10.30 or less.

In the case of those who have Part D included in Medicare Advantage, the average premium for drug coverage would decrease from US$11.32 in 2026 to US$7 per month in 2027, a reduction of approximately 38%.

Is the number of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans expected to increase in 2027?

CMS estimates that around 34 million people will enroll in Medicare Advantage during 2027, which would represent 47.4% of the total Medicare beneficiaries.

More than 99% of beneficiaries will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan and 97% will be able to choose among ten or more options. CMS projects the availability of 5,532 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027.

Medicare enrollment: What is the period?

Interested parties will be able to enroll from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Coverage options can be compared through the Medicare Plan Finder.

They can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for advice on plans and costs.

To see the full calendar for the rest of the year, you can check the scheduled dates here. Additionally, if the deposit is not received on time, SSA recommends following a series of steps to claim it.

When will SSA beneficiaries be paid?

For October, 5 deposit dates are set, plus one additional date corresponding to a November benefit.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries: Thursday, October 1.
• Social Security beneficiaries from before May 1997 or those who also receive SSI: Friday, October 2.
• Beneficiaries born between the 1st and the 10th of any month: Wednesday, October 14.
• Beneficiaries born between the 11th and the 20th of any month: Wednesday, October 21.
• Beneficiaries born between the 21st and the 31st of any month: Wednesday, October 28.

In addition, on Friday, October 30, SSI beneficiaries will receive the November payment.

SSA recommendations if payments are not received on the corresponding date

SSA recommends checking through the My Social Security account whether the payment was made, is still pending, or does not appear as scheduled:

• If the deposit does not appear on the date indicated by SSA in the official calendar, you should contact the bank because it could be a delay in processing the deposit.
• If the bank confirms that it did not receive the money, the beneficiary can report a late, lost, or stolen payment to SSA.

Additionally, it is recommended to keep the information updated, since if there is a mismatch, the deposit could be delayed until it is updated.

Check whether your benefit is still active: How can it be verified?

Beneficiaries can use their My Social Security account to manage and review information related to benefits.

You can also check the status by phone through the SSA automated service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English and Spanish, at 1-800-772-1213.

The explanation is simple, and so is its limit: this is not a bonus, but an advance made by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The agency’s official 2026 calendar also lays out the rules that determine each payment date.

Who will receive two payments

The double deposit applies to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. It covers everyone who receives SSI, regardless of whether they also collect other Social Security benefits, such as retirement, disability or survivors benefits. SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources and, unlike regular Social Security, is based on need rather than work history.

The reason is a calendar rule. The SSA moves a payment earlier when its usual date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday. Because November 1, 2026, is a Sunday, the November SSI payment is deposited on Friday, October 30. December works the same way: the second deposit, on Thursday, December 31, is the payment for January 2027.

SSI payment dates

• October: Thursday, October 1 (October payment) and Friday, October 30 (advance November payment).
• December: Tuesday, December 1 (December payment) and Thursday, December 31 (advance January 2027 payment).

For all other beneficiaries, the SSA’s official calendar applies: payment arrives on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month depending on the beneficiary’s birth date (the 1st to 10th, the 11th to 20th and the 21st to 31st, respectively).

In October, those dates are Wednesdays, October 14, 21 and 28. Applying the same rule, the December dates are Wednesdays, December 9, 16 and 23.

There is one exception. People who have received Social Security since before May 1997, and those who receive both SSI and Social Security, are paid on the 3rd of each month, with SSI paid on the 1st. In October, because the 3rd falls on a Saturday, the payment moves up to Friday, October 2. For some people this can mean three deposits in the month: SSI on October 1, Social Security on October 2 and the advance SSI payment on October 30.

How payments are made

The SSA maintains its policy of issuing payments entirely electronically, so it is worth keeping the details of the account where deposits are received up to date.

Simply called “IRS,” this new version of the app changes both the name and the functions available to users, which can be viewed in English and Spanish.

The authorities explained that the name change is because IRS2Go was originally created to conveniently monitor refunds in process from a phone. Now, the new version aims to broaden the possibilities and include more transactions.

What are the functions of the IRS application?

Once you log in or create an account from scratch, the following functions can be performed

• Payments: an outstanding balance can now be paid, a payment can be scheduled, a payment plan can be set up, the history can be checked, etc.
• Refunds: The status of the refund or return can still be checked
• Records: access tax records that are in the history in order to download them
• Notifications: receive notices and official letters
• Information: update email and banking information

Both payments and obtaining information to file documents and checking the status of the refund can be done without logging in.

How to download the IRS application and who should not do it

Those who already have IRS2Go downloaded do not need to take any extra action, since the app itself updates automatically in the background. If the change did not occur, the update can be done manually through the Apple Store or Google Play, as appropriate.

To use the new functions, you will be asked to log in with ID.me and, once your identity has been verified, the new version will open.

If you have never installed the previous version and need to download it from scratch, the app must be downloaded from the aforementioned stores.

Requirements to be able to download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play

The app’s spec sheet specifies that it can be installed as long as you have the following versions

Apple Store

• iPhone: requires iOS 15.1 or later
• iPad: requires iPadOS 15.1 or later
• iPod touch: requires iOS 15.1 or later

Google Play

• Devices on which it is downloaded must have Android version 7.0 or later version

The federal agency says it is working on new functions to incorporate.

On September 24, 2026, Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens introduced the Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act, a bill that would allow workers in physically demanding jobs to collect full benefits at age 60.

What would change

Under current law, Americans born after 1960 reach full retirement age at 67. They can start collecting at 62, but with a 30% reduction that shrinks gradually between ages 63 and 66. Stevens’ proposal would cut that wait by seven years for those working in construction, roofing, nursing, manufacturing and similar trades, a list the bill itself describes as open-ended.

The lawmaker argues that many manual workers cannot keep working until 67 because of the toll on their bodies. In her view, people who work with their hands should not have to wait until their health gives out to retire.

How the points system would work

Eligibility would not require spending an entire career in physical work. According to her press release, the bill creates an age-weighted points system:

• 0.5 points for each year worked between ages 18 and 34.
• 1 point for each year between 35 and 44.
• 1.5 points for each year between 45 and 54.
• 2 points for each year from 55 onward.

Anyone who accumulates 15 points, or 20 years of physically demanding work over a career, could retire at 60.

In addition, the Social Security Administration (SSA) would have to compile and publish the list of covered occupations and update it every three years. Under the text, a job would qualify if it imposes substantial physical demands that could reduce a person’s ability to keep working at an advanced age.

The backdrop: a trust fund at risk

The initiative comes amid a broader debate over how to fund the program, whose outlays continue to outpace its revenue. The latest trustees report projects that the trust fund that pays benefits to retirees and survivors would be depleted by the end of 2032, earlier than previously forecast. That could trigger a cut of more than 20% in benefits. The average retired worker received $2,071 a month in January, according to the SSA.

Among the alternatives being discussed are eliminating the cap on income subject to the Social Security tax, currently $184,500, and raising the payroll tax. In July, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno called for lifting that cap. A 2025 poll by the Bipartisan Policy Center found it was supported by 65% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans.

What criticism does the project receive

The bill has its skeptics. Labor economist Teresa Ghilarducci of The New School noted that the measure would leave out millions of people in jobs that are physically and emotionally demanding, such as care and service work.

She also warned that it could open the door to raising the retirement age and cutting benefits for those who don’t qualify. In her view, it would be a bad idea if it paves the way for that for everyone else, because it assumes older people can do and get those jobs.