Many Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be surprised to see three payments deposited in their accounts this May. This isn’t a mistake or extra money—it’s simply due to how the payment schedule falls on the calendar this year.
Let’s break down who qualifies for the three deposits, why this is happening, and what it means for future SSI payments.
Why Some People Are Receiving Three Payments in May
This rare situation applies to people who receive both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits. Here’s how the May 2025 calendar works:
- May 1: First SSI payment of the month (for May)
- May 28: Regular Social Security payment for some retirees
- May 30: June SSI payment, paid early because June 1 falls on a Sunday
This means that those who qualify for both programs could see three payments in May:
- SSI for May
- Social Security for May
- SSI for June (paid early)
So, you are not receiving extra money, but the timing makes it feel like you are. June will have no SSI payment, since that payment arrives early at the end of May.
Who Qualifies for SSI in 2025?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit for people who have limited income and resources, and who are:
- 65 or older, or
- Blind, or
- Disabled
Unlike other Social Security programs, SSI does not require work history. It is funded by general taxes, so even if you never worked, you might still qualify.
According to the SSA, about 7.4 million Americans receive SSI.
Future SSI Payment Schedule in 2025
Aside from May, there are other months in 2025 when SSI payments will be made early, resulting in months without payments:
- July 1
- August 1 and August 29 (September payment)
- October 1 and October 31 (November payment)
- December 1 and December 31 (January 2026 payment)
So, the months with no SSI payments will be:
- June (paid on May 30)
- September (paid on August 29)
- November (paid on October 31)
These early deposits are not bonuses, but are simply rescheduled payments due to weekends or holidays.
Social Security Retirement Payment Dates
If you receive retirement or survivor benefits, your payment date depends on your birth date:
- Born 1st–10th: Paid on the second Wednesday (May 14)
- Born 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday (May 21)
- Born 21st–31st: Paid on the fourth Wednesday (May 28)
- If you started receiving benefits before May 1997: Paid on the third of the month
If you also receive SSI, your SSI payment comes on the first of each month, unless it’s moved due to weekends or holidays.
What About Taxes on Social Security?
There was some hope that taxes on Social Security would be removed in 2025, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Although House Republicans passed a tax relief bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it did not include removing taxes on Social Security benefits. According to lawmakers, it’s a complicated issue due to Senate rules.
Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) said a separate bill may be needed and added that even some Democrats might support it, as no one wants to be seen as opposing Social Security help.
The current bill increases the standard deduction to $32,000 for joint filers, raises the child tax credit to $2,500, and offers a $4,000 deduction for seniors at certain income levels.
If you’re seeing three payments this May, it’s likely because you receive both Social Security and SSI. You got your regular May SSI, your monthly Social Security, and your early June SSI payment on May 30. While it feels like a bonus, it’s just a shift in dates, and there will be no SSI payment in June.
Make sure to plan your monthly budget accordingly, especially since early SSI payments will also happen in August, October, and December. Also, keep an eye on potential future changes to Social Security taxes, which are still being discussed by lawmakers.
