If you are counting on your Social Security check to hit your account on time this June, here is something you need to know. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has just issued a warning that payment delays are possible this month—and not everyone will be affected the same way.
SSA employees recently revealed to USA Today that the agency is shifting its focus to around 900,000 complex cases tied to recent changes under the Social Security Fairness Act. That means other, more routine tasks—like processing address changes, bank account updates, or basic inquiries—are taking a backseat.
If you are someone who recently updated your direct deposit info or moved to a new address, you might see a delay in your payment being processed. And for many Americans, even a few days’ delay can mean a lot when you rely on that check to cover essentials like rent, groceries, or medications.
Why is the Social Security Administration delaying payments?
You are probably wondering, why now? Why are these delays happening in the first place?
Here is the deal: The SSA is responding to changes related to the Social Security Fairness Act—a major policy move that aims to bring more fairness to public workers who paid into the system but were left out of full benefits. That includes police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other public servants.
Because of these changes, SSA staff are being directed to spend more time vetting and processing complicated claims that have been in limbo—900,000 of them, to be exact.
One SSA worker told USA Today that, “this is going to create a logjam,” meaning regular tasks that used to move quickly are now likely to take longer.
What should you do if your Social Security check is late?
If your check does not arrive on time this June, do not panic—but do take action.
First, double-check that your bank account info or address is up to date in your SSA records. Even small mistakes can slow down your payment.
Next, if you updated your info recently, that might be the reason for the delay. Be patient, but do not hesitate to contact your local Social Security office or check the SSA website for updates on your payment status.
Also, keep in mind that the SSA has not said payments will stop altogether—they are just saying some people might experience delays due to the shift in focus.
Are direct deposit payments affected too?
Yes, even if you use direct deposit, you are not entirely in the clear.
While direct deposit is generally faster and more reliable than paper checks, any recent updates to your account could slow things down. So if you changed banks or opened a new account and forgot to notify SSA ahead of time, you may not receive your payment when you expected.
This is especially important for those who live paycheck to paycheck. It might be a good idea to have a backup plan—whether that means putting aside a little extra this month or arranging temporary help if your funds are delayed.
How many Americans could be impacted by this?
According to SSA data, nearly 70 million people receive Social Security payments every month. While not everyone will be affected, even a small percentage could mean hundreds of thousands of delayed checks.
The ones most at risk? Those who have made recent administrative changes or who have pending issues being reviewed under the Fairness Act. So if that sounds like you, it is worth staying alert and keeping an eye on your SSA account for updates.
Related article:
One Social Security change every worker should make in 2025 to increase their benefits in the future
