Social Security beneficiaries who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can expect a notable update in May 2025: a direct payment of $967 will go out in 29 days, followed by another payment on May 30 due to a calendar-related adjustment by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
These adjustments are not unusual—but they can impact budgeting for millions of Americans who depend on SSI payments. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Two Payments in May?
SSI is typically paid out on the 1st of each month, but when that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA issues payments on the previous business day.
In May 2025, recipients will receive:
- $967 on May 1 (regular May payment)
- $967 on May 30 (advance June payment, since June 1 falls on a Sunday)
This means no SSI payment will arrive at the beginning of June, and recipients must budget accordingly.
What Is the $967 Payment?
The $967 monthly amount represents the maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual in 2025, reflecting a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) applied at the start of the year. COLA increases are designed to help recipients keep up with inflation.
According to the SSA COLA update:
- Individual maximum: $967/month
- Couples: $1,450/month
- Essential persons: $484/month
This COLA adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (source).
Who Qualifies for SSI?
SSI benefits are designed for low-income individuals who are:
- Aged 65 or older,
- Blind, or
- Disabled.
Eligibility depends on:
- Income level
- Resources/assets
- Citizenship or eligible noncitizen status
Watch for More Double Payments in 2025
This isn’t the only time SSI recipients will see two payments in one month. Similar schedule quirks will result in double payments during:
- May
- August
- October
- December
But just like May, the second payment in each of these months is actually the advance payment for the following month, meaning no payment will arrive at the start of that next month.
Direct Deposit and What to Do If Payment Is Late
The SSA encourages beneficiaries to sign up for direct deposit to avoid delays. Most payments are deposited by 9 AM on the payment date.
If your payment doesn’t arrive on time:
- Wait three mailing days.
- Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Or visit a local SSA office.
How to Plan Your Budget Around This Change
Since the June payment arrives early (on May 30), recipients will need to be cautious. There will be no payment arriving on June 1, and the next SSI disbursement won’t come until July 1.
Experts recommend:
- Creating a monthly budget
- Setting aside a portion of the May 30 payment for June expenses
- Using automatic bill pay features to avoid late fees
In Summary
- SSI recipients will receive $967 on May 1, 2025
- Another $967 payment arrives on May 30 (for June)
- No payment will arrive on June 1
- Plan finances accordingly
- Similar double payments will occur again in August, October, and December
Stay informed about payment changes and SSI updates by checking the official SSA website at ssa.gov.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
