Retirement Social Security

Some Social Security Recipients Will Get Double Deposits in May: Here’s Who

Find out when this month's benefits are scheduled to arrive.

By Adam Palasciano , Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated April 28, 2025

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If you rely on Social Security benefits to cover living costs, it's important to know exactly when your money will arrive.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays out benefits based on a combination of when you started collecting Social Security and your birth date. Understanding the calendar can help you manage your budget and explore ways to supplement your Social Security if you need more money faster.

Payment dates can shift from month to month. Find out when to expect to receive your money in May.

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Social Security payments are scheduled by birth date and benefit start date

Most people who receive Social Security benefits get paid on a Wednesday. The exact week of payment depends on when a recipient's birthday falls.

However, if you've been receiving benefits since before May 1997 — or if you get both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — your payment follows a different schedule. In these cases, benefits are typically issued earlier in the month.

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Early May payments go to SSI recipients and longtime beneficiaries

In May, SSI recipients will receive their payment on Thursday, May 1. If you qualify for both SSI and Social Security — or if you've been getting Social Security benefits since before May 1997 — your monthly payment will arrive on Friday, May 2.

The "doubling up" on deposits doesn't mean that recipients are necessarily getting "extra" money; it is just a scheduling adjustment to make sure payments are received on time.

These are some of the first deposits to go out in May, and they help ensure everyone is paid on time despite calendar adjustments. This dual-payment group always follows a set schedule that's different from those who qualify for Social Security alone.

The rest of May Social Security payments are sent later

If you receive regular Social Security and started collecting benefits in May 1997 or after, payments follow this schedule:

If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th, your payment arrives on the second Wednesday of the month (May 14).
If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th, your payment is deposited on the third Wednesday (May 21).
If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st, expect your payment on the fourth Wednesday (May 28).

This regular pattern helps beneficiaries know exactly when to expect their money, although federal holidays can change the pay dates during some months.

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Contact the SSA if your payment is late

If your deposit doesn't show up as expected, the SSA recommends contacting your bank to see if there were any internal delays in posting your payment.

If that doesn't solve the problem, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 for help. You can also contact your local Social Security office.

In addition, remember that keeping your direct deposit information current can prevent future delays.

Bottom line

One element of a stress-free retirement is to stay in tune with when you can expect your monthly benefit to arrive. May's Social Security and SSI payments are scheduled to arrive on time, with no major shifts in this month's calendar.

Knowing when your money will land makes it easier to manage bills, set a budget, and avoid financial surprises later in the month.

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