As August 2025 begins, many people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) may notice something unusual—two Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments this month. If you’re unsure why this is happening or when your retirement payment is arriving, here’s a simple explanation to clear things up.
On Friday, August 1, 2025, the SSA made the first SSI payment of the month. This payment, which can be up to $967, is designed for people with low income, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It helps cover basic needs like food, housing, and other daily essentials.
The reason for two SSI payments this month is because of the calendar. September 1 falls on a Monday, and that day is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Since government payments are not issued on holidays or weekends, the SSA is sending out September’s SSI payment early, on Friday, August 29. So even though it looks like two payments in one month, the second payment is actually for the next month. This type of early payment happens a few times each year and can be confusing, but it doesn’t mean you’re receiving extra money.
If you’re receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your schedule is different from SSI recipients. Retirement benefits are paid based on your birth date, not on the first of the month. If you were born between the 1st and 10th, your payment will arrive on Wednesday, August 13. If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, you will get paid on Wednesday, August 20. And if you were born from the 21st to the 31st, your payment will come on Wednesday, August 27. The average retirement payment in 2025 is $1,976, but the amount can be higher or lower depending on your work history and how much you earned during your career.
Some people qualify to receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, such as SSDI or retirement payments. In that case, the SSI payments are made on August 1 and August 29, while the Social Security payment will follow the birthday schedule mentioned above. These payments are made separately, and you can check your deposit status anytime by logging into your My Social Security account online.
In 2025, a new SSA policy is affecting many beneficiaries. If the agency finds that you were paid more than you should have received in the past, they can now withhold up to 50% of your current monthly benefit to recover that overpaid amount. This has raised concern, especially among retirees who depend on their full monthly payments. If you believe a deduction is incorrect or unfair, you can file an appeal or ask for a waiver. SSA encourages beneficiaries to review all communications carefully and act quickly if they receive a notice.
If you are only enrolled in SSI and wondering whether your August 1 payment has arrived, you should have received it by now. You can confirm this through your My Social Security account, by checking your Direct Express card balance, or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Payments are sent by direct deposit or loaded onto the Direct Express card, depending on your chosen method.
Understanding the SSA payment calendar is important to avoid confusion and to plan your finances better. While the two payments in August may seem like a bonus, it’s just a result of the holiday schedule. If you receive both SSI and Social Security, make sure to track both deposit dates. And with the new rules on overpayments, staying informed about your benefits has become more important than ever.
