This Friday, millions of Americans are due to get a benefits check from the United States’ Social Security Administration (SSA). Indeed, a quirk in the SSA’s payment calendar means some will actually receive two.
Who gets a check from Social Security on Aug. 1?Supplemental Security Income recipients
On August 1, the SSA is to send out the latest monthly check to the 7.4 million beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) scheme. SSI payments are always made on the first of each month, unless that day falls on a weekend or holiday.
SSI is a scheme for people who have little to no income or resources, and are over 65 or have a disability.
Unlike the SSA’s programs covering retirement benefits, survivor pay and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), eligibility for SSI does not depend on recipients’ payment of Social Security taxes. It is a needs-based, rather than contribution-based, scheme.
Certain long-term Social Security recipients
Of the nearly 70 million people who claim retirement benefits, SSDI or survivor checks, some long-term recipients are to be paid on August 1. Specifically: those who have been getting their benefits since before May 1997.
These recipients are typically paid on the third of each month. However, as August 3 is a Sunday, this payment date has been brought forward to the nearest working day.
Who gets two checks from Social Security on Aug. 1?Dual recipients (SSI + regular Social Security)
More than 2.5 million people in the U.S. claim both SSI and one of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits. These recipients normally get the former on the first of the month, and the latter on the third.
But with August 3 falling on the weekend, both benefits are to be paid on the opening day of next month.
When are all other Social Security checks paid in August?
You can take a look at the SSA’s complete payment schedule for 2025 in this online pdf.
For Americans who do not belong to the groups of dual or long-term beneficiaries described above, the payment date for retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits will be the second, third or fourth Wednesday in August.
Each recipient’s designated Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have accumulated the benefits entitlement.
Wednesday payment dates in full: August 2025
If born on 1st to 10th of the month: Weds., Aug. 13
If born on 11th to 20th of the month: Weds., Aug. 20
If born on 21st to 31st of the month: Weds., Aug. 27
How much are monthly SSI benefits?
According to the most recent figures published by the SSA, SSI beneficiaries get $717.75 a month on average. The SSA says the maximum SSI check available to an individual claimant is $967. Eligible couples can get up to $1,450 a month.
The SSA also points out that some SSI beneficiaries may receive a supplementary payment from their state, depending on where they live. You can find out which states offer this additional money on the agency’s website.
How much money do Social Security retirement recipients get?
Retired workers – who represent over 70% of the U.S.’s Social Security beneficiaries – are paid a monthly average of $2,005.05. The highest possible monthly retirement check currently stands at $5,108.
How much money do other SSA recipients get per month?
Disabled workers are paid an average of $1,582.07 per month, while recipients of survivor benefits get a monthly average of $1,571.30.
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