Why Some Months Have an ‘Extra’ Social Security Payment
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A few times a year, recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive two payments in a month. But those double deposits aren’t extra money. They’re early payments for the following month.
On Nov. 29, people who receive SSI benefits got a second check of the month. In fact, SSI payments will be off their typical schedule through March 2025. If you get two SSI payments in the same month, it's not really "extra" money, though. Here’s what you need to know about that second payment.
Why you’re getting two SSI payments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) usually issues SSI payments on the first day of each month. But if that date is on a weekend or holiday, the agency pays you ahead of schedule — on the last business day of the preceding month.
This schedule ensures those dependent on SSI have the money they need by the first day of the month.
The second SSI payment is not an extra payment. It’s the next month’s payment hitting your account a few days early.
It’s likely you’ll also receive an SSI payment early when the first of the month is a federal holiday. The payment will be made on the last business day of the previous month.
When you’ll get paid
The SSI payment for December 2024 was issued on Nov. 29.
The SSI payment for January 2025 will be issued on Dec. 31.
The SSI payment for February 2025 will be issued on Jan. 31.
The SSI payment for March 2025 will be issued on Feb. 28.
April 2025 will be a "normal" month, but in May 2025 there will be two payments — one for May and one for June.
How the second SSI payment will be paid
SSI payments are issued one of two ways. For beneficiaries with bank accounts, the payments come as direct deposits. For those without bank accounts or those who prefer a more tangible method, payments are added to beneficiaries’ accounts with Direct Express cards. The second payment, if there is one, will be paid with whichever method you’ve signed up for.
