Social Security payments are a key source of income for millions of Americans, including retirees, people with disabilities, widows, and veterans. Normally, these payments follow a fixed monthly schedule.
However, in May 2025, there’s an unusual gap—no payments will be made between May 5 and May 12. This has been officially confirmed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If you’re someone who depends on Social Security benefits, it’s important to know when your money is coming. Planning your budget becomes easier when you’re aware of the exact payment dates. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening this month and who will get paid when.
Why There Are No Payments From May 5 to May 12
Unlike most months where payments are spread more evenly, May 2025 has a delay in the mid-month payments. After the first payments on May 1 and May 2, there will be no disbursements until May 14. This is due to how the weeks fall on the Social Security payment calendar—not because of any problem or delay by the SSA.
Who Already Received Payment in Early May?
The first group to receive payment this month was:
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income) beneficiaries, who got their May check on May 1
- Retirees who started receiving benefits before May 1997, who were paid on May 2
These groups always get their payments early in the month.
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Who Will Get Paid After May 14?
The rest of the Social Security checks will follow the usual birthday-based schedule for those who started receiving benefits after May 1997. These beneficiaries are divided into three groups based on their birthdays:
- May 14 – for those born between the 1st and 10th
- May 21 – for those born between the 11th and 20th
- May 28 – for those born between the 21st and 31st
This means that from May 5 to May 12, no SSA payments will be processed, but starting May 14, the normal cycle resumes.
Bonus SSI Payment Coming on May 30
There is also good news for SSI recipients—they will receive two payments in May. This is because June 1 falls on a Sunday, and the SSA does not process payments on weekends. To avoid delay, the June SSI payment will be sent early—on May 30.
This results in a total of six SSA disbursements in May, which is higher than usual.
Full Social Security Payment Schedule – May 2025
Here is the complete payment schedule for May:
| Type of Beneficiary | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| SSI for May | May 1 |
| Retirees (before May 1997) | May 2 |
| Birthdays from 1st to 10th | May 14 |
| Birthdays from 11th to 20th | May 21 |
| Birthdays from 21st to 31st | May 28 |
| SSI for June (paid early due to weekend) | May 30 |
All payments are made through direct deposit. If you do not see your payment within three business days after your scheduled date, you should contact the Social Security Administration by calling their helpline, visiting ssa.gov, or going to your nearest SSA office.