The third round of Social Security payments for May is on the way, and millions of Americans are waiting to see when their checks will arrive. If you’re unsure about your payment date, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The timing depends on a few specific factors, including your birthday and when you first started getting benefits.
For those who receive retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, payments are sent out in staggered waves throughout the month. There’s a system behind it, and once you know how it works, it’s pretty straightforward. However, if you also receive other federal benefits or have been collecting Social Security since before May 1997, your payment schedule works a bit differently.
On top of that, a big change is coming later this year: paper Social Security checks are being phased out. Starting September 30, all payments will be made electronically. That shift is expected to improve efficiency and security, but it may take some getting used to—especially for those who’ve relied on physical checks for years.
Social Security in May: When Will You Get Your Payment?
If you receive Social Security benefits, the date your check arrives depends mostly on your birthdate—unless you fall into a few exceptions.
Here’s how the schedule works for May 2025:
- If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th, you’ll get paid on Wednesday, May 8.
- If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th, your payment arrives on Wednesday, May 15.
- If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st, you can expect your money on Wednesday, May 22.
This schedule applies to most people who receive retirement, survivor, or disability benefits and started receiving them after May 1997.
Special Cases: Early Beneficiaries and SSI Recipients
If you began collecting Social Security before May 1997—or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—your payments don’t follow the birthday-based schedule.
Instead:
- SSI payments are sent out on the 1st of each month.
- Social Security checks for this group go out on the 3rd of the month.
Keep in mind, if the 1st or 3rd lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment may come a little earlier. For instance, if the 3rd is a Sunday, the money might show up on Friday the 1st instead.
Paper Checks Are Ending Soon
Starting September 30, 2025, paper Social Security checks will no longer be mailed. This change comes from a White House executive order aimed at cutting costs and improving security.
Instead, payments will be delivered electronically through:
- Direct deposit
- Prepaid debit or credit cards
- Digital wallets
- Other real-time payment platforms
Right now, fewer than 500,000 paper checks go out each month, while more than 68 million recipients already use direct deposit. So, while the change might be frustrating for some, the shift to digital is already well underway. That said, exceptions will be made for certain individuals who aren’t able to switch to electronic payments.
What If Your Check Doesn’t Show Up?
If your Social Security payment doesn’t arrive on time, the Social Security Administration recommends giving it three extra mailing days before taking action.
After that, you can call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. For quicker service, try calling early in the morning, later in the week, or toward the end of the month—those times tend to have shorter wait times.
If you’re having a tough time reaching someone on the phone, you can also look up your local Social Security office using their office locator tool on the SSA website.
Whether you’re new to Social Security or have been receiving benefits for years, staying up to date on payment schedules and upcoming changes can help you avoid stress and delays. With electronic payments becoming the new standard by fall, now’s a good time to make sure your information is current with the SSA—especially your direct deposit details.
