For some Americans receiving Social Security benefits, May is set to be an unusually generous month. Rather than the monthly single payment that most beneficiaries of the Social Security Administration (SSA) receive, some will get three of these separate checks in May: due to the SSA issuing dual Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments today together with the monthly regular Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or retirement payment.
Who must qualify for all three payments?
For three payments, the person must be an SSI beneficiary and have either SSDI or retirement benefits. SSI is a needs-based program under which cash support is made available to individuals who are blind, disabled, or aged 65 and older and have limited income and resources.
According to the SSA, more than 7.4 million people – seniors, adults, and infants – received SSI benefits as of March 2025.
Why two SSI payments in one month?
The SSA’s schedule occasionally results in two SSI payments being issued in a single month due to the calendar. This happens when the first day of the next month falls on a weekend or holiday. In May 2025, recipients will get SSI payments on:
- Thursday, May 1 (for May)
- Friday, May 30 (for June)
This means recipients won’t receive an SSI payment in June but will continue with the usual schedule from July onward.
Regular social security payment dates in may
For those receiving retirement or SSDI benefits, payments are based on birth dates and will be issued as follows:
- May 14 – Birthdays between the 1st and 10th
- May 21 – Birthdays between the 11th and 20th
- May 28 – Birthdays between the 21st and 31st
If you’re eligible for SSI and one of these monthly payments, you could be receiving three deposits in total during May.
Important note: Mistaken notices
Some beneficiaries recently reported receiving letters stating they were no longer receiving benefits. The SSA has clarified that these were sent in error and benefits remain unchanged for eligible recipients.
SSI payment dates for the rest of 2025
Here’s the upcoming SSI payment schedule beyond May:
- July 1 (Tuesday)
- August 1 (Friday)
- August 29 (Friday, for September)
- October 1 (Wednesday)
- October 31 (Friday, for November)
- December 1 (Monday)
- December 31 (Wednesday, for January 2026)
If you notice any payment missing, the first thing you should do is check with your bank or financial institution. If there is no reported delay, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or the local office for help.
Larger checks for some public servants
Under the new provisions of the Social Security Fairness Act, 3.2 million retired public servants, including police officers, teachers, and firefighters, will now receive larger Social Security checks. These adjustments begin to reverse the cuts made under the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset starting in April and continuing into May and beyond.
