May Social Security Surprise: Why Some People Get TWO Payments This Month!

If you’re counting on Social Security or SSI to help pay the bills, you’re probably wondering, “When will my check show up this month?” May can be a little confusing because the payment schedule isn’t the same for everyone — but don’t worry, I’ll break it down for you.

When Should You Expect Your Social Security Payment?

Usually, Social Security payments come on different days depending on your birthday:

• Born between the 1st and 10th? Your payment will land around May 14th.

• Born between the 11th and 20th? Look for your money around May 21st.

• Born between the 21st and 31st? Your payment should arrive around May 28th.

This staggered schedule just helps spread things out so banks and the system don’t get overwhelmed all at once.

What If You Started Benefits Before 1997 or Get Both Social Security and SSI?

If you started your benefits way back before May 1997, or if you get both Social Security and SSI, your payment schedule is a little different:

• Social Security payments come early, on May 2nd.

• SSI payments drop in even earlier, on May 1st.

So some folks get their money sooner than most.

Double Payments for Some SSI Recipients?

Here’s something interesting — some people on SSI actually get two payments this month. How?

• You get your regular May payment on May 1st.

• Then, you get an early June payment on May 30th because June 1st is a Sunday.

It’s not extra cash, just a little calendar quirk so you don’t miss out when a payment day falls on a weekend.

How Much Are We Talking About?

Thanks to a recent 2.5% raise, your checks might be a bit bigger than last year. Rough numbers look like this:

• Average retiree gets about $1,976 per month.

• Couples usually pull in around $3,089 combined.

• SSI payments max out near $967 for individuals and about $1,450 for couples.

Your exact amount depends on your personal history, but this gives you a ballpark.

What If Your Payment’s Late?

If the money isn’t in your account when you expect it, first check with your bank — sometimes payments get held up there.

If it’s been more than three days past your expected payment date and still nothing, call the Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213. They can help figure out what’s going on.

What’s Next for Social Security?

Looking ahead, the government will announce the new cost-of-living raise (COLA) for 2026 later this year. Early signs point to a smaller increase — about 2.4%, which is the lowest in years. That’s got a lot of folks worried since everyday costs keep rising faster than that.

So if you count on these payments, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for updates later this year.

May’s payment schedule might feel a little funky, but everything’s still on track. And if you’re ever worried or confused, don’t hesitate to reach out to Social Security — they’re there to help.