Thursday, July 3, 2025, was an important day for some Social Security recipients. If you’ve been getting retirement, disability, or survivor benefits (called RSDI by the government) since before May 1997, you likely saw your payment hit your bank account today. It’s a good idea to double-check your bank statement if you’re part of this group.
This day was also when Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments were sent out. SSI helps people with limited resources, and while these payments are usually made on the 1st of the month, they were synced with Social Security payments this time. Even though July 1st was a Tuesday, the schedule matched the regular Social Security payment dates.
When Will Payments Go Out This Month?
Here’s when you can expect your payment if you didn’t get it on July 3rd:
July 9th (Wednesday): If you were born between the 1st and 10th of any month, your payment will arrive.
July 16th (Wednesday): If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, expect your payment.
July 23rd (Wednesday): If you were born between the 21st and 31st, your payment will be sent on this date.
What About the COLA Increase?
This year, Social Security payments got a 2.5% increase because of the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which started in January. This means that most payments are about $50 more than last year. While it might not make a huge difference, it’s still helpful with prices going up. The average payment now is around $1,976 per month, but if you qualify for the maximum, you could get up to $5,108.
Can Social Security Take Back Payments?
Something new this month—if you were overpaid in the past, Social Security might take back up to half of your current payment. In some cases, they might even hold back the entire check. While this helps correct past mistakes, it can be tough for people who need the full payment to cover expenses. There are hardship exceptions, but getting approval for them requires some extra effort.
What to Do if Your Payment Is Late?
We’ve all experienced the frustration of waiting for a payment that’s late. If your payment isn’t there when expected, here’s what you should do:
Wait up to 3 business days before panicking. Social Security recommends waiting this long as sometimes there are delays.
Check your information by logging into your My Social Security account to ensure everything is up to date.
If the payment still hasn’t arrived, contact your bank to see if they’ve received it. If they haven’t, then it’s time to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office.
Remember, wait times on the phone can be long, especially around payment dates, so be patient.
Mark Your Calendar for July and August
Here’s a quick summary for July 2025:
July 3rd: Payments for those who started before May 1997 and SSI recipients.
July 9th: People born between the 1st and 10th.
July 16th: People born between the 11th and 20th.
July 23rd: People born between the 21st and 31st.
For August 2025: SSI recipients will get two payments—on August 1st and August 29th. But in September, there will be no payment on the 1st because it falls on a Sunday.
