A strange fact was revealed by the US government through the Social Security Administration (SSA): people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get two payments in May 2025. Why? It’s just a matter of dates, but we’ll explain it more clearly so there are no questions and you don’t think it’s a “gift” or a mistake by the SSA.
To begin, the basics: Most of the time, SSI pays on the first of every month. What if that date is a holiday or weekend? The deposit is moved up to the Friday before. The first is on a Sunday in June 2025. This is the trouble spot. The payment for June will come in May! To be exact, on Friday, May 30, 2025. In May, there will be two deposits: one on May 1 and another on May 30. The second deposit will be for the month of June.
Does SSI send extra money? Not really, but let’s look into it more
In the end, this is not an extra gift. It’s just a new date. The June money will come faster, but you’ll have to wait until the July deposit to use it. An advantage? A short-term break from money problems; downside? Be careful with your plans so you don’t miss out on that money too soon.
This year it will happen again. Labour Day is marked on September 1, which is also a holiday. On August 1, the payment for that month will arrive, but on August 29, the payment for September will arrive, since August 1 is a holiday.
In May 2025, how much money will be sent in each payment?
Good news: Because of the cost of living adjustment (COLA), which was 2.5%, the highest amount of SSI went up a little in 2025. These were the final amounts:
The highest amount of SSI a single beneficiary can get is $943, which is $24 more than last year.
SSI payment for a married couple reporting jointly: up to $1,450 (up $35 from last year).
What you need to do to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
If you want to apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), here are the key things you need to do to be eligible.
If you are blind, over 65, or have a handicap, you can:
Over 65: You don’t have to have a disability, but you do have to show that you don’t have a lot of money or other means.
Unable to do: Must be a physical or mental problem that: Prevents you from working “substantially” (earning more than $1,550 a month in approximately 2024).
Lasts at least a year or is likely to last that long, or it could lead to death.
If your eyesight is 20/200 or worse, even with glasses, or if your field of vision is 20 degrees or less, you are blind.
Since SSI is for people with low incomes, any income, like salary, tips, or anything else, must not be enough to cover all of your living costs. It’s possible for your SSI payments to go down if you get pensions, subsidies, help from family members, or free room and board.
You shouldn’t have more than $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for a couple). This includes bank accounts, savings, extra property that isn’t your main home, expensive jewellery, expensive cars, and other things. You can still be qualified even if you have a main home, a car you use every day, appliances, furniture, and up to $1,500 saved.
