The Social Security Administration (SSA) generally sets the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for the first day of the month. However, there can be changes when offices are closed because of the weekend or Federal holidays. May will bring no changes for this Federal benefit, but retirement or SSDI benefits will bring a change that could benefit some Supplemental Security recipients in the United States.
The Administration usually delivers the first direct deposits and checks on the third day of the month for eligible retirees and SSDI recipients. The third is usually the payday for those on benefits before May 1997. However, those SSI recipients who qualify for Social Security as well, also get the retirement or SSDI payment on the third.
SSI on April 1 and Social Security ahead of schedule
If you are on both benefits, you will receive the May SSI payment on the first and Social Security (retirement or disability) on May 2, 2025. Therefore, if you are currently receiving retirement or disability from SSA, you will not have to wait until May 3 to receive your monthly payment. In fact, it will be available 1 day before the normal payday.
This will be received and there is no need to do anything else if you have already filed and received Social Security’s approval. All you have to do is wait for your monthly payments.
However, if you are still receiving paper checks, you can request direct deposits to get monthly payments faster. Direct deposits are more secure as well, so it is more advantageous.
Why is Social Security issuing this payment after the SSI payday?
The main reason why the Administration has had to reschedule the monthly payment is because May 3 will be Saturday. Every time a monthly payment falls on the weekend, SSA rescheduled it for the previous business day.
By doing so, the SSA ensures that there are no delays. If retirement, disability insurance, or SSI, were deposited on the weekend or even on a Federal holiday, there could be delays.
Banks and financial institutions are closed on Federal holidays and weekends, so it is best to deliver payments on working days. But how much money could SSI and Social Security recipients get? Here are some possibilities:
- SSI: payment on May 1 with checks of up to:
- $967 if you are an individual
- $1,450 for an eligible married couple
- $484 if you are an essential person
- Social Security maximum and average amounts:
- if you filed at 62: up to $2,831
- if you filed at Full Retirement Age: up to $4,018
- if you filed for Social Security at 70: up to $5,108
- $1,980 on average as of February 2025
- SSDI payment amounts:
- $1,580 on average
- up to $4,018 (maximum SSDI payment)
Those Social Security recipients with a low income who have not filed yet for SSI should check their eligibility. It could be a way to increase their monthly benefits.
