Social Security Administration announces April 2025 payment dates
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially released its schedule for April 2025 benefit payments, giving millions of Americans clarity on when they can expect to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks.
April will be a return to the standard payment structure following a double-payment quirk in February, which saw SSI recipients receive two checks due to a calendar shift. In contrast, the month of May 2025 will bring another round of irregularities in the SSI payment cycle, which beneficiaries should begin preparing for now.
April 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
The SSA also follows a staggered payment schedule for retirement and disability benefits, which are distributed on Wednesdays throughout the month. These payments are organized based on the recipient’s birth date:
- Birth dates between the 1st and 10th: Payment is issued on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Birth dates between the 11th and 20th: Payment is issued on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Birth dates after the 20th: Payment is issued on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Based on this structure, the April 2025 Social Security payment dates are as follows:
- Wednesday, April 9 – For beneficiaries born between April 1 and 10
- Wednesday, April 16 – For those born between April 11 and 20
- Wednesday, April 23 – For those born after April 20
These dates apply to individuals who began receiving Social Security benefits after May 1997. For those who started receiving benefits before May 1997, payments are deposited on a fixed date: the 3rd of each month. If these early recipients also receive SSI, they get their SSI check on the 1st and their Social Security payment on the 3rd.
April 2025 SSI Payment Date
According to the SSA, Supplemental Security Income payments are typically issued on the first day of each month. However, if the first lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is made on the last business day before that date.
In April 2025, SSI recipients will receive their payment on Tuesday, April 1—the regular payment day—because it falls on a weekday and is not a federal holiday.
This payment is especially important following February’s early disbursement, which left a gap in March when no SSI payments were made. The SSA clarifies that this situation arises when the first of a month falls on a Saturday, as it did in March 2025. As a result, the March payment was issued in February, leading to two checks in one month and none the next.
Who Receives SSI?
Currently, more than 7.4 million Americans receive Supplemental Security Income benefits. SSI is designed to support individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. Roughly one-third of SSI beneficiaries also receive Social Security benefits, meaning they rely on a combination of monthly payments to cover essential expenses such as housing, food, and medical care.
Upcoming May 2025 Payment Irregularities
While April offers a standard payment cycle, May 2025 will present another unusual month for SSI recipients. Because May 1 falls on a Thursday, SSI checks will go out on schedule. However, looking ahead to June, the 1st falls on a Sunday, which means June’s SSI payment will be delivered on Friday, May 30. This shift mirrors the scenario that occurred earlier in 2025, leading to another double-payment situation in May and no payment in June.
It’s essential for beneficiaries to plan ahead for these calendar-based anomalies to avoid financial stress. The SSA strongly encourages recipients to review the full 2025 benefits payment calendar and sign up for direct deposit to ensure timely access to their funds.
Direct Deposit and Electronic Payments
The SSA mandates that most benefit payments be made electronically. Beneficiaries can choose between:
- Direct deposit to a personal bank or credit union account
- Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®, a prepaid debit card provided through the U.S. Treasury
Electronic payments not only speed up access to funds but also reduce the risk of lost or stolen checks. According to the SSA, direct deposit is the fastest and safest method for receiving monthly benefits.
Stay Informed with the SSA
To stay updated on Social Security and SSI payments, recipients can create a my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. This portal allows users to:
- View benefit statements
- Track payment dates
- Update direct deposit and address information
- Estimate future benefits
Whether you’re receiving retirement, disability, or Supplemental Security Income, understanding the Social Security payment schedule is crucial for effective financial planning. With April’s payments on track and May’s quirks on the horizon, now is a great time to prepare for the months ahead.