"Social Security Payment Schedule May 2021"

If you are looking for the Social Security Payment Schedule for May 2021, look no further. We can help you. Social Security pays benefits in the month following the month for which they are due. For example, the December benefit is paid in January.

For those on Social Security retirement benefits or disability (SSDI or SSI), knowing when your payments will be deposited each month is crucial.

That’s because, for a majority, the monthly Social Security benefit is the main source of income.

Knowing the payment date helps you plan ahead and ensure that your bills are paid on time.

In addition, if you know when the payment will be deposited and available, you can plan for cash withdrawals from your account.

In the post below, we have explained in detail how the Social Security Payment Schedule works and provide you with the specific dates on which your May benefit payments will be deposited into your account.

"May 2021 Direct Deposit dates for Social Security Benefit Payments"

This Post will Cover:

  • No More Paper Checks for Social Security Benefits
  • How Social Security Payment Calendar Works
  • Social Security Payment Schedule for May 2021
  • Complete 2021 Social Security Payments Schedule
  • What To Do If You Don’t Recieve Your Benefits
  • Social Security Benefits Questions and Answers

No More Paper Checks for Social Security Benefits

Since 1935, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has mailed paper checks to Social Security beneficiaries.

However, that ended in May 2011.

That’s because Congress passed a law that required all recipients of payments from federal benefits programs to sign up for electronic payments.

Since then, all new recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability have been required to sign up for electronic payments.

In addition, existing recipients of Social Security and SSI had to comply with the new requirements by March 1, 2013.

As a result, the SSA no longer mail paper checks for Social Security benefits, including disability payments.

How Social Security Payment Schedule Works

If you are receiving Social Security Retirement or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI), your payment date depends on your birth date.

In addition, If you are receiving payments on the record of a retired, disabled, or deceased worker (for example, spousal or survivor benefits), that person’s birthday sets the schedule.

Here’s how the Social Security Payment schedule works for those who receive Social Security retirement benefits or SSDI:

  • If your birthday is in the first 10 days of the month, then you’ll receive your benefits payments on the second Wednesday of each month.
  • For those with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th, benefit payments are deposited on the third Wednesday of the month.
  • Payments are made on the fourth Wednesday of the month for those with birthdays on the 21st or later.

Here is a table that better displays how the payment schedule works:

BIRTHDAY PAYMENT DATE
1st – 10th Second Wednesday
11th – 20th Third Wednesday
21st – 31st Fourth Wednesday

Now that you understand how the payment schedule works, it’s time to review the 2021 payment calendar as released by the SSA.

Exception

If you’ve been receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 or you get both Social Security and SSI payments, here’s what you need to know:

Your payments will be made on the 3rd of each month. If the 3rd falls on a weekend or holiday, payment will be made on the preceding Friday.

Here is the complete SSI payment schedule for 2021.

We have first listed dates for those only receiving SSI benefits.

Next, we have provided dates for those receiving both Social Security retirement benefits and SSI.

Social Security Payment Schedule May 2021

Here is when to expect your Social Security payment for May 2021:

Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance (SS and SSDI)

For those receiving Social Security Retirement Benefit or Disability Benefits, here is your payment schedule for May:

  • If your birth date falls on the 1st – 10th day of the month, benefits are paid on May 12th.
  • Also, if your birth date falls on the 11th – 20th day of the month, benefits are paid on May 19th.
  • If your birth date falls on the 21st – 31st day of the month, benefits are paid on May 26th.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Schedule

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your payments on the 1st of each month.

The exception is when the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.

If the first falls on a holiday, then you will receive your payment the business day before.

However, if the first falls on a weekend, you’ll receive your payment on the preceding Friday.

May 2021 SSI Payment Schedule

Since May 1st, 2021 falls on a Saturday, SSI payments for the month will be deposited on Friday, April 30th, 2021.

If you receive your payment via a bank account or a prepaid debit card like the Direct Express Debit card, you should see your benefits in your account on or before Friday, April 30th, 2021.

Both SS and SSI Recipients

Since May 3, 2021, is on a Monday, you will receive your benefits on Monday, May 3rd, 2021.

The Complete 2021 Social Security Payment Schedule

Here is a simplified version of the 2021 Social Security Payment Calendar for Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI beneficiaries.

If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th:

  • January 13
  • February 10
  • March 10
  • April 14
  • May 12
  • June 9
  • July 14
  • August 11
  • September 8
  • October 13
  • November 10
  • December 8

If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th:

  • January 20
  • February 17
  • March 17
  • April 21
  • May 19
  • June 16
  • July 21
  • August 18
  • September 15
  • October 20
  • November 17
  • December 15

If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st:

  • January 27
  • February 24
  • March 24
  • April 28
  • May 26
  • June 23
  • July 28
  • August 25
  • September 22
  • October 27
  • November 24
  • December 22

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Schedule for 2021

For SSI recipients, benefits will arrive on the first of the month.  If the 1st of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a federal holiday, you will be paid on the business day before then.

For example, if the 1st of the month falls on a Saturday, you’ll receive your benefits the Friday before.

2021 SSI Only Both SS & SSI
January 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020
February 1 3
March 1 3
April 1 2
May 30-Apr-2021 3
June 1 3
July 1 2
August 30-Jul-2021 3
September 1 3
October 1 1
November 1 3
December 1 3

What To Do If You Don’t Recieve Your Benefits

If you do not receive your payment on your specified day or date, the Social Security Administration asks that you wait three mailing days before contacting them.

You can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

See the June 2021 Social Security Payment Schedule.

Social Security Benefits Questions and Answers

Here is the summary of the most frequently asked Social Security Benefits Questions and Answers.

Do States Provide Additional Disability Benefits?

If you receive SSI payments, some states do provide additional cash payments to residents on top of what they receive from the federal government.

These payments can range from an additional $10 to $200 per month, and the eligibility guidelines for the state benefits are similar to the federal SSI benefits.

However, the following states do not provide additional supplements to SSI recipients:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Mississippi
  • Oregon
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • West Virginia

How does Social Security Define Disability?

Under the Social Security Act, “disability” is defined as the:

“inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to result in death, or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”

In order to meet this definition, you must have a severe impairment(s) that makes you unable to do your past relevant work or any other substantial gainful work that exists in the national economy.

Do I really have to hire a lawyer to file my Social Security Disability claim?

No. You do not have to hire a lawyer to file your social security disability claim.

Additionally, you can go through all of the levels of review on your own in case your initial claim is denied.

In fact, approximately 70% of all SSD claims are denied on the initial application.

However, claimants who are represented by an attorney have a higher chance of success than those who are not represented.

If I’ve Been Approved for Disability Benefits, Can I Receive Back Pay?

Once you are approved for Social Security Disability, you are entitled to collect back payments but only from the time when they applied until they received approval.

Back pay usually takes the form of a lump sum.

However, it takes about 5 months after you are approved to receive your back pay.

Social Security Payment Schedule May 2021 Summary

Here’s the bottom line:

If you receive Social Security retirement benefits or SSDI, then your benefits will be paid based on your birthdate.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments are issued on the first of every month.

For May 2021:

Social Security and SSDI payments will be made using the schedule below:

  • on May 12th if your birth date falls on the 1st – 10th day of the month.
  • If your birth date falls on the 11th – 20th day of the month, you will get your deposit on May 19th.
  • Finally, if your birth date falls on the 21st – 31st day of the month, your benefits will be paid on May 26th.

For SSI recipients:
Since May 1st, 2021 falls on a Saturday, SSI payments for the month will be deposited on Friday, April 30th, 2021.

Both SS and SSI Recipients

Also, since May 3, 2021, is on a Monday, you will receive your benefits on Monday, May 3rd, 2021

Questions?

If you still have questions, you should leave a comment below.

However, what may be an even greater help is to join our FREE Facebook members group about Making Sense of Social Security Benefits.

It’s a very active group with some really smart people who love to answer any questions you may have about Social Security Benefits.

Also, from time to time, our team of editors drop in to contribute and answer questions.

Finally, you may like these popular articles, including How to Change Your Address with Social Security, the Top 5 Changes to Social Security in 2021, and 2021 Social Security Payment Calendar.

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