As April 2025 begins, many retired citizens in the United States are getting ready to receive their monthly Social Security payments. These payments aren’t just for retirees—some people may also get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While not everyone qualifies for both, some lucky individuals will get two separate checks in the first week of April.
What Are the Two Social Security Payments?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out different types of payments depending on the situation of the beneficiary. The two main types of payments involved here are:
1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This payment is designed for people with limited income and resources, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
2. Social Security Retirement Benefits: These are the regular monthly checks for retirees who worked and paid Social Security taxes.
Yes, it’s possible to receive both payments if you’re eligible. But not everyone qualifies—SSI is income-based, so if your retirement benefit is too high, you may not qualify for SSI.
How Much Can You Receive?
In April 2025, if you’re eligible for both checks, you could receive:
Up to $967 from the SSI payment
Up to $5,189 from the Social Security retirement benefit
However, it’s important to know that receiving the full amount from both isn’t usually possible. SSI is for low-income individuals, so if your Social Security check is on the higher side, your SSI amount might be reduced or even disqualified.
Who Will Receive Both Checks in April 2025?
If you’re eligible for both SSI and Social Security retirement benefits, here’s when you can expect to receive the payments:
April 1, 2025:
SSI payment will be sent to all eligible beneficiaries.
April 3, 2025:
Social Security payment will go out to retirees who started receiving benefits before May 1997.
So, if you’re someone who qualifies for both and has been receiving retirement benefits before May 1997, you’ll receive two checks in the first week of April.
The Role of Direct Deposit
To get your money on time, it’s important to have Direct Deposit activated. If you do, both your SSI and Social Security payments should arrive on the scheduled day. If you don’t use Direct Deposit and instead receive a paper check, it could take a few extra days for the money to reach your account—sometimes up to three days.
Payments sent without Direct Deposit might even get delayed into the second week of April, depending on your bank’s processing time. Weekends and bank holidays can also affect how quickly your payment shows up.