When Social Security Recipients Will Get Their Checks in May

Step aside, May flowers: May Social Security payments will start making their way to certain beneficiaries this week.

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are scheduled to get their checks on Wednesday, and anyone who started receiving Social Security prior to May 1997 should see that money Friday. Beneficiaries who receive both SSI and Social Security will get paid on the first and third, respectively.

With this year's 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (abbreviated COLA), the average monthly payment for all beneficiaries is about $1,770, according to recent data from the Social Security Administration. The average monthly retirement benefit is now about $1,909.

When will I get my May Social Security payment?

Recipients of SSI should get their checks on Wednesday. Anyone who received Social Security before May 1997 should get paid Friday, and those who receive both SSI and Social Security should get those checks on Wednesday and Friday.

Due to a quirk in the payment schedule, SSI beneficiaries are also due a second check this month on May 31 — and no payment in June.

If you only receive only Social Security benefits and did not start getting your benefits before May 1997, your payment date is determined by your birthday. Beneficiaries with birthdays between the first and 10th of any given month will get paid on May 8.

If your birthdays falls between the 11th and 20th of any given month, you'll get your check on May 15. Beneficiaries with birthdays between the 21st and 31st will receive their payments on May 22.

Where is my Social Security check for this month?

If you think your Social Security check didn't arrive on time, you can reach out to the SSA. But you're encouraged to wait three business days before ringing up the agency to inquire about your payment. You can call any weekday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 1-800-772-1213.

You can also view your payment status by creating or logging into your Social Security online account under “Benefits & Payments.”

What is the SSA's 2024 payment schedule?

Payments for beneficiaries who receive only Social Security typically get distributed on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of a given month, depending on birth date. Recipients of only SSI usually get their payments on the first, unless it falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

In this case, payments for SSI beneficiaries are moved to the previous business day, which means sometimes they will receive two payments one month and none the next. This schedule change occurs in May, August and November this year.

After May 31, the next SSI payment is set for July 1.

Beneficiaries of both SSI and Social Security (and those who claimed before May 1997) usually receive SSI on the first of the month and Social Security on the third — unless it falls on a holiday or a weekend, in which case these payments are also moved to the previous business day.

How do I calculate my Social Security payment?

Your Social Security benefit is based on your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years you earned the most income. The SSA then applies a formula to figure out your primary insurance amount (called your PIA).

You can see your earnings history and calculate your benefit by creating or logging into your online account on the SSA’s website. The SSA offers a digital benefits calculator and other online tools to help you navigate your benefits.

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