For millions of Americans, Social Security payments aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. If you rely on your monthly benefit to pay bills, cover groceries, or support your family, a missed or delayed payment can feel like a full-on emergency.
With over 68 million adults receiving benefits in 2024—and more expected in 2025—knowing what to do if your check doesn’t arrive is crucial. Whether it’s a system error, bank issue, or just a delay, there are clear steps to follow to get back on track.
Importance
Social Security is built on a simple but powerful idea: you pay in through payroll taxes during your working years, and you collect benefits during retirement, usually between age 66 and 67.
So when that payment doesn’t show up, it’s not just a delay—it can feel like your hard-earned money has gone missing. And with today’s high cost of living, every cent matters.
Steps
If your Social Security check doesn’t arrive on time, don’t panic. Just follow these two steps to solve the issue quickly.
Call Your Bank First
Before reaching out to the Social Security Administration (SSA), check with your bank. Sometimes banks hold payments due to:
- Suspicious account activity
- Identity verification delays
- Overdrafts or pending collections
Many missed payments turn out to be temporary holds that your bank can clear up in a few hours.
Contact the SSA
If your bank confirms they haven’t received the funds, call the SSA directly. They can launch an investigation to:
- Correct administrative errors (like the wrong address)
- Reissue a missing payment
- Update your account details
SSA Phone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY for hearing impaired: 1-800-325-0778
You can also visit your local SSA office, but calling is usually faster.
April Dates
Wondering when your payment should have hit your account this month? Here’s the breakdown:
- SSI recipients were scheduled to get their check on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
- If it didn’t arrive, the SSA recommends waiting three business days before taking action.
That means if you haven’t seen your deposit by Friday, April 4, go ahead and start the steps above.
May Preview
Heads up: May brings two SSI checks for some recipients. Why? Because June 1 falls on a Sunday, and SSA moves payments to the previous business day when this happens.
Here’s how May’s schedule looks:
| Payment Month | Deposit Date |
|---|---|
| May | Thursday, May 1 |
| June (early) | Friday, May 30 |
So if you see an extra payment in late May, it’s not a mistake. It’s just your June check arriving early due to the weekend.
Pro Tip
To avoid future surprises, set up direct deposit if you haven’t already. It’s faster, more secure, and helps avoid delays caused by mail issues or check misplacements.
And remember—99% of Social Security payments are processed electronically, so issues are rare. But when they happen, quick action ensures you don’t get left hanging.
FAQs
What should I do if my Social Security check is late?
Call your bank first, then contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
When was the April 2025 SSI check due?
It was scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
How long should I wait before reporting a delay?
Wait three business days before contacting SSA.
Why are there two SSI payments in May?
June’s payment arrives early on May 30 due to the weekend.
Is direct deposit better for SSA payments?
Yes, it’s faster, safer, and helps avoid delays.
