Some Social Security recipients getting extra payment in August: Here’s why

(NEXSTAR) — For a second time this year, some Social Security recipients are on track to receive two payments in the same month.

Those who receive Supplemental Security Income usually get one payment a month. According to the Social Security Administration, this comes on the first day of the month — for August, that was Thursday.

The exception — which is contributing to the double payment in August — is when the first day of the month lands on a weekend or holiday. When this happens, payments are sent out on the previous weekday.

SSI recipients saw this just a couple of months ago when June 1 fell on a Saturday. They received two payments in May and no payment in June.

With September 1 landing on a Sunday this year, SSI recipients will get that month’s payment two days earlier on Friday, August 30.

Technically, while there is a second SSI payment in August, recipients aren’t actually getting any additional funds. They also aren’t missing out on funds by not receiving a payment in September. Just like those on track for a three-payday August, SSI will get the full income they are expected to by the end of the year, it’s just a little out of order in August and September.

SSI recipients will see another wonky month in November when they receive that month’s payment and December’s payment in the same 30-day span.

SSI payments will be even more out of order in 2025. The first day of January, February, and March all fall on holidays or the weekend. According to the agency’s payment calendar, January’s benefits will be dispersed on December 31, February’s will come a month later, and March’s will come on February 28. There will be no payments in March.

If you receive regular Social Security benefits, not SSI, you will largely be unaffected in August and September. However, those who usually receive their Social Security payment on the 3rd day of the month should have received it on Friday, August 2, since August 3 landed on a Saturday.

Those payments will be sent earlier in November as well, coming on Friday, November 1 instead of Sunday, November 3.