Social Security is one of the biggest and most important financial support programs in the United States. Every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends payments to retired people, those with disabilities, and other eligible beneficiaries. These payments follow a fixed schedule based on the person’s birthdate and when they started receiving benefits.
In May 2025, the payment schedule stays the same as usual. However, not everyone will receive money in the second week of May. Only a certain group of people will get their Social Security check on Wednesday, May 14. Let’s find out who qualifies and what you should expect.
Who Will Receive Their Payment on May 14?
The payment on May 14 is for people in Group 2. This group includes those who:
- Started receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997, and
- Were born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
If you meet both conditions, your monthly Social Security check will be deposited on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. You don’t need to apply again or do anything else—the payment is sent automatically.
If you do not meet either of the conditions, then your payment will come on a different date later in May, depending on your group.
What If I’m Not 62 Years Old?
Many people think you must be 62 or older to receive Social Security payments. But that’s not always true. Some people below 62 also receive benefits, especially if they are approved for:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Survivor benefits
- Or are dependents of eligible beneficiaries
So yes, you can receive Social Security even if you’re under 62, as long as you are already part of the payment system and meet the rules for the group receiving money on May 14.
For example, a 45-year-old disabled person who has been approved for SSDI and was born between the 1st and 10th of any month will receive the payment on May 14, just like a retired person who meets the same conditions.
How Does the Social Security Payment Schedule Work?
The SSA uses a monthly calendar to organise when checks are sent out. The goal is to make sure payments are made in an orderly way and avoid delays.
The structure is:
- Group 1: People who started receiving benefits before May 1997 – paid on the 3rd of each month.
- Group 2: Started after May 1997 and birthday falls between the 1st–10th – paid on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Group 3: Birthday between the 11th–20th – paid on the third Wednesday.
- Group 4: Birthday between the 21st–31st – paid on the fourth Wednesday.
This structure repeats every month. The only time it changes is during public holidays or non-business days, when payments may be delayed slightly.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Receive Your Payment?
If you were supposed to get paid on May 14 but don’t see the money in your account by the end of the day, don’t panic. Wait at least three business days. After that, you can contact the SSA directly or check your payment status through their official website or phone service.
To avoid missing your money, always keep your bank details updated, report changes in address, and regularly check for updates from the SSA.