The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs several important programs in the U.S. that help retired people, disabled individuals, and others in need. These programs are funded by taxes collected from people who are working.
One of the most helpful programs is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which gives financial support to the elderly, blind, and disabled, including children with disabilities if they meet certain conditions.
Each year, the SSA releases a full payment schedule in advance, so beneficiaries can plan their monthly expenses properly. This includes both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits.
Why Are There Two SSI Payments in May 2025?
The SSI program usually pays once a month — 12 times a year. But in May 2025, there are two SSI payments: one on May 1 and the other on May 30.
Why the second payment in May?
It’s simple. The SSA never schedules payments on weekends or public holidays. Since June 1, 2025, falls on a Saturday, the June SSI benefit is paid early — on May 30. This means there will be no SSI deposit in June, because it was already paid in advance.
This kind of schedule shift happens several times a year. For example:
In September 2025, SSI will be paid on August 29, and for November, the payment will arrive on October 31, because both September 1 and November 1 fall on weekends.
These aren’t extra payments — just early ones so that you can avoid delays and continue to pay your bills or buy your medicines on time.
Other Social Security Payments in May 2025
If you’re getting Social Security retirement benefits along with SSI, you may also receive payments based on your birth date. Here’s how the SSA schedules Social Security checks in May:
- People born between May 1 and 10 got paid on May 14.
- Those born from May 11 to 20 will be paid on May 21.
- Those born after May 21 will receive their money on May 28.
So for some people, May 2025 includes three different payments — one or two Social Security checks and an additional early SSI payment on May 30 (which actually counts for June).
SSI and Social Security Benefit Amounts in 2025
Let’s take a quick look at how much you can receive:
SSI Payment Limits
If you qualify for SSI:
- A single person can get up to $967 per month.
- A couple filing together can receive up to $1,450 per month.
These amounts may vary slightly based on your income, living arrangements, or any additional support you get.
Social Security Retirement Payment Limits
How much you receive depends on when you choose to retire and how much you earned during your working years:
- At age 62: Maximum benefit is $2,831 per month.
- At full retirement age (66 years and 10 months in 2025): Maximum is $4,018 per month.
- At age 70: You could get up to $5,108 per month.
These higher amounts are available only if you worked for at least 35 years and had high enough earnings that were taxed for Social Security.
The average Social Security benefit in 2025 is around $1,976 per month, meaning most people receive less than the maximum.