Why Some Social Security Recipients Will Get Extra Money This May

A lot of people in the US who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will notice something different about their bank records in May 2025.

Because of how the Social Security Administration (SSA) sets up its payment plan, this month some recipients will get two SSI payments and a smaller group may even get three total Social Security deposits.

Even though it looks like a bonus, the second payment in May is actually an early payment on the benefits that will be given in June. Since the first of the month is always a holiday or weekend, SSI is sent out early when that date comes on one of those days. This June is one of those months.

Why there will be more than one check in May 2025

The first SSI check for May is due on Thursday, May 1, and it will be the normal monthly benefit.

On Friday, May 30, the last work day before the weekend, the second check will arrive. It will cover June’s payment. This method makes sure that people who get money can get it by the first of the next month.

May could mean three deposits in total for people who get regular Social Security benefits as well. These people will get their SSI checks at the beginning and end of each month, along with their regular Social Security income, which is based on the date they were born:

May 14 for people born between January 1 and October 10
May 21 for people born between May 11 and May 20
May 28 for people born after May 20

Also, people who started getting Social Security before May 1997 will get their main payment on May 3, and their SSI will come separately on May 1.

How the SSA deals with “double” months

The second payment isn’t extra money, even though it may feel like it. It’s just an advance because of the calendar. In August and October, too, people who get SSI will get two payments, just like this time.

That means there will be no SSI checks in September or November because the payments for those months have already been paid for.

The SSA has come up with the following problems with the 2025 SSI payment schedule:

May 30, 2025 (payment for June)
August 29, 2025 (payment for September)
October 31, 2025 (payment for November)
December 31, 2025 (payment for January 2026)

All of your SSI payments are sent either directly to your bank account or to a Direct Express card, based on which method you choose. You don’t have to do anything special to get these early payments. The only time you might need to contact the SSA right away is if you get a second payment without warning.

Understanding who is eligible for SSI

The goal of Supplemental Security Income is to help low-income people who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying condition. Under some conditions, children may also be able to apply. Adults who make more than $2,019 a month, on the other hand, usually don’t qualify.

Some users’ bank accounts might get a short-term boost in May, but the most important thing to remember is that the SSA is not paying more, they are just paying earlier. If you know when the payments are due, you won’t be confused when the extra deposit shows up.

You can check out the SSA’s website or talk to a trained Social Security advisor for more information about Social Security and Medicare.