The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to distribute payments to nearly 70 million Americans this April, including retirees, survivors, and people with disabilities. The April payments will also include important updates based on the new Social Security Fairness Law, approved in December 2024, which has led to higher monthly benefits for many.
Payment dates will vary depending on the type of benefit and the beneficiary’s birth date or application history. Plus, changes are coming to how benefits are paid—paper checks will be phased out later this year.
April 1 SSI Payments Start the Month
The first payments were made on April 1, 2025, through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. These benefits are designed for:
- Older adults aged 65+
- People with disabilities or visual impairments
- Individuals with low income and limited resources
SSI maximum amounts in April 2025 are:
- $967 per month for individuals
- $1,450 per month for couples applying together
April Payment Schedule Based on Retirement Group
SSA continues its regular payment schedule for retirement benefits through April. Here’s how it breaks down:
- April 3: For people who started receiving benefits before May 1997 (including those who also get SSI).
- April 9: For those born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- April 16: For those born between the 11th and 20th.
- April 23: For those born between the 21st and 31st.
The monthly payment amount depends on the age you retire:
- $2,831 if you retire at age 62
- Up to $5,108 if you retire at 70
SSA advises waiting 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after the payment date before reporting any delay.
Social Security Fairness Act: Higher Monthly Payments
Thanks to the new Social Security Fairness Act, some retirees will now receive higher monthly checks, beginning April. This law removed two rules—WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset)—that previously reduced benefits for public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
This law benefits around 3.2 million Americans, including spouses and widows. Retroactive payments were already issued in March 2025 for missed amounts.
New permanent monthly increases are:
- $360 for retired workers
- $700 for spouses
- $1,190 for widowed individuals
If your April payment amount is the same as March, and you believe you qualify under the new law, contact the SSA. Some complex cases may take up to a year for full adjustment.
Paper Checks Are Ending—Switch to Digital Payments Required
On March 25, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end paper checks for Social Security payments. Starting from September 30, 2025, all federal payments will be made only through:
- Direct deposit
- Government-issued prepaid cards
- Other approved digital methods
This change aims to cut costs, reduce fraud, and speed up delivery. The U.S. government said the old check system cost $657 million in 2024 alone.
Still, about 456,000 people (0.7% of total beneficiaries) currently receive paper checks. While some exceptions exist—for those without bank access or facing emergencies—they require official documentation and manual application.
SSA will start proactively contacting those affected to assist with the transition. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to update your direct deposit or card information soon.