Social Security is generally a once a month proposition. However, in certain cases, Social Security beneficiaries may receive more than one check per month. For some this is a normal phenomenon, but for others it can mark some kind of irregularity.
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If you receive two Social Security checks in one month, it pays to understand why and to know if you can expect the same payment schedule in the future. Here are the main reasons why a recipient can get two Social Security checks in one month.
You receive both Social Security benefits and SSI payments
Social Security retirement benefits and supplemental Security Income benefits are two different benefits. You never receive your retirement benefits and your SSI payments on the same date, so if you qualify for both, you should expect two separate payments each month.
You receive both Social Security benefits and SSI payments
If you receive both Social Security payments and SSI checks, you are in the same situation as if you received both retirement and SSI payments. Those are two separate programs run under the Social Security Administration, so their payments are not linked.
Social Security disability benefits are made on the same date as retirement benefits, and once you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits will convert to retirement benefits. This means that your payment date remains the same, even if the amount changes.
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There’s a quirk in the calendar
In months with holidays, SSI payments can be inflated. This may result in beneficiaries receiving two payments per month. However, this does not mean that beneficiaries are paid twice. For some, it can even mess up their budgeting a bit.
This is because someone in a month in which they receive two SSI payments will receive none the following month. For example, in April 2022, SSI beneficiaries received payments on April 1 and April 29, but in May 2022, they received no payments at all. While payment is usually only expedited by a few days, it can be confusing to recipients who are not aware of this quirk in the system.
You owe overdue payments
If you owe delinquent payments on your Social Security file, you may end up receiving more than one payment per month. This happens most often if you have recently been approved for disability benefits. The length of time between your Established Onset Date (EOD) and when you actually received your first payments determines how much you owe in arrears. Once those payments begin, they will arrive at a different time than your regular monthly checks.
How are payment dates determined?
Your Social Security payments are made based on your date of birth, according to the following schedule:
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Date of birth 1-10: payments on 2nd Wednesday of the month
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Date of birth 11-20: payments on the 3rd Wednesday of the month
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Date of birth 21-31: payments on the 4th Wednesday of the month
Additional security income is generally paid out on the 1st of each month. However, as shown above, SSI can sometimes be paid twice a month, based on the calendar. For example, in 2022, second SSI payments were made on April 29 and September 30 and will again be on December 30.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Why Did I Get Two Social Security Checks This Month?
