Some Social Security recipients could see three checks hit their bank account this month, although some checks may come a little later in the month than usual.
Those retirees who get Supplemental Security Income checks are getting two checks in the month of May – one for May and another for June – due to quirks in the Social Security Administration’s calendar.
Another unique part about May’s payment schedule: the distribution dates for Social Security benefits are later than any other month on the 2025 payment schedule.
About 7.4 million Americans who may be disabled or have limited resources get monthly SSI benefit payments. About one-third of those SSI recipients also get a benefit from Social Security. Those folks will wind up with three benefits payments hitting their account during the calendar month of May.
Here’s a look at May’s social security schedule and why it looks a little different this month.
Some May payments don’t start going out until the 14th
Traditional Social Security payments – for those who are older or retired – are issued on Wednesdays throughout the month for most recipients.
If your birthdate falls between the first and 10th of the month, that means you are paid on the second Wednesday of the month, which this month is May 14; between the 11th and 20th, you’re paid on the third Wednesday (May 21), and if you were born after the 20th of the month, you get paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month (May 28), according to the SSA calendar.
With the second Wednesday of May falling on the 14th, that means May’s payments will be the latest out of all the months in 2025.
Social Security recipients who began getting benefits before May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of the month – if they also get SSI, that benefit comes on the 1st.
When are SSI payments sent out for May? See full 2025 payment schedule
SSI recipients will end up with two checks in the month of May. The May SSI payment was issued on May 1, according to the SSA calendar, and the June SSI payment is scheduled for May 30. The June payment is issued early because June 1 falls on a weekend.
Supplemental Security Income checks will be sent out on the following dates in 2025, according to the SSA calendar.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 (Check for May 2025)
Friday, May 30, 2025 (Check for June 2025)
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 (Check for July 2025)
Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 (Check for August 2025)
Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 (Check for September 2025)
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 (Check for October 2025)
Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 (Check for November 2025)
Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (Check for December 2025)
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
What is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income is a benefit payment for those with limited income or resources aged 65 or older, who are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with a qualifying disability can also get SSI, according to the SSA’s website.
Adults who earn more than $2,019 from work monthly, typically do not qualify for SSI.
Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social Security payments arrive a little later in May: See schedule
