As the month of April ends, many people in the United States who depend on Social Security benefits are eagerly waiting for their final payment of the month. This money is very important for retirees and others who rely on it to cover their daily expenses like food, rent, and medicine.
If you are part of the last group scheduled to get paid in April—known as Group 4—you might be just hours away from receiving your money.
Who Will Get the Last April Social Security Payment?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays out benefits in four groups based on when people were born and when they started getting benefits. The last group—Group 4—will get paid on Tuesday, April 23, 2025.
To be in Group 4, you must meet both of the following conditions:
- You began receiving Social Security after May 1997
- Your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month
If you qualify under both, then April 23 is your payment day.
How Will You Receive the Payment?
If you use direct deposit, your payment should appear in your bank account on April 23 without delay. This is the fastest and safest way to receive Social Security payments. If you haven’t set up direct deposit and rely on a paper check or a payment card like Direct Express, the money might take a bit longer to reach you.
Still, in most cases, even non-direct deposit payments arrive within a day or two after the official date.
How Much Will You Get?
In 2025, the maximum monthly Social Security payment is $5,108. But to get that full amount, you must:
- Delay retirement until age 70
- Have a long work history
- Earn high wages throughout your career
Most people, however, get between $1,800 and $2,500 per month, depending on their work and earning history.
What If Your Payment Doesn’t Arrive?
If you were expecting your payment but haven’t received it, don’t panic. Sometimes banks take a few hours or even a full day to process the payment. However, if it’s been more than a day or two and the money is still missing, it’s time to act.
Here’s what you can do:
- Log in to your My Social Security account on the SSA’s official website to check your payment status.
- Call 1-800-772-1213, the SSA customer service line, which is available Monday to Friday.
- If you use a Direct Express card, check your balance through the app or by phone.
Sometimes, late or missing payments happen because of mistakes in your bank account information or if your address is not updated. That’s why it’s important to keep your details current on the SSA website.
Final Tips for a Smooth Payment
To make sure you get your money on time, always keep your personal information updated with SSA. Using direct deposit is the best way to avoid delays and get your payment safely.
If you miss a payment, don’t wait too long to report it. The sooner you take action, the faster the issue can be fixed. The SSA has processes to help recover missing or delayed payments.