Two Major Social Security Payments in April: $5,180 and $967 – Who Qualifies?

Two Large Social Security Payments in April: There are two large Social Security payments American recipients will be receiving in April 2025. One can be as large as $5,180 and the other $967. This represents the kinds of diversions the Social Security Administration (SSA) administers in its benefits, yet they bring lots of questions as well. What recipients are qualified to receive such payments? What is the difference between two pay amounts? When are they coming? And most critically, how do you get what you’re owed?

It’s more crucial than ever to know how Social Security works, particularly as inflation, healthcare expenses, and retirement planning are increasingly urgent concerns for individuals of every age. Regardless of whether you’re a retiree, caregiver, or simply planning for your financial future, this handbook will assist you in making sense of April’s payments.

Feature	Details
Payments	$5,180 (maximum retirement benefit), $967 (SSI payment)
Dates	April 1 (SSI), April 3/9/16/23 (Social Security retirement)
Who Gets What	Low-income seniors and disabled individuals (SSI), retirees (SSA retirement benefits)
Eligibility	SSI: Limited income/resources. SSA: Work credits and age (62-70)
2025 COLA	2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment applied
Official Source	SSA.gov

In April 2025, Social Security will play a vital role in supporting millions of Americans, offering up to $5,180 in retirement benefits and $967 through SSI. Whether you’re approaching retirement, living with a disability, or helping someone navigate these benefits, understanding who qualifies and how to maximize support is essential.

These payments aren’t just numbers on a page—they represent lifelines for families, seniors, veterans, and everyday workers. To make sure you’re getting every dollar you’re entitled to, stay informed, plan strategically, and always check with official sources like SSA.gov.

Understanding the Two Social Security Payments

What is the $967 Payment?

The $967 payment is for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a Federal government program that offers monthly payments to individuals aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and who have little or no income or financial resources.

Payment Date: April 1, 2025

• 2025 Maximum SSI Payment:
• $967 to an eligible individual
• $1,450 to an eligible couple
• $484 to an individual helping an SSI recipient (referred to as an essential person)

Eligibility Criteria

• Limited resources and income (assets need to be below $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples)
• U.S. residency and citizenship or qualified non-citizen status
• Cannot be in a public institution or incarcerated for the entire month

SSI is distinct from Social Security retirement benefits. It is supported by general tax funds, rather than payroll taxes. This indicates that even individuals who have never worked can qualify for SSI on the basis of their finances.

What is the $5,180 Payment?

The $5,180 payment is the most one can receive in Social Security retirement benefits in 2025. It is normally given to those who have worked with high earnings over a long period and who have waited until age 70 to take their benefits.

Payment Dates Depending on Birthdays:

• April 3: If you began receiving benefits prior to May 1997
• April 9: If your birthday falls between the 1st–10th of any month
• April 16: If your birthday is between the 11th–20th
• April 23: If your birthday is between the 21st–31st

In order to qualify for this maximum, you must have:

• Worked at least 35 years, preferably at the highest earnings level subject to Social Security tax
• Waited until age 70 to receive benefits
• Contributed to the system by working in jobs covered by Social Security (not some public pensions or foreign work)

In 2025, the average monthly retirement benefit is around $1,900, as reported by the SSA. So, the $5,180 amount is at the absolute highest end of the scale and only for individuals who qualify with very specific circumstances (source).

What Affects Your Payment Amount?

For SSI:

SSI benefits are determined by your income, assets, and where you live. The lower your income, the more likely you are to get the full benefit.

• Income Level: Unearned income (such as pensions) and some earned income can reduce your payment
• Resources: Assets like cash, bank accounts, and property (other than your primary residence) are considered
• Living Situation: If someone else pays for your food or housing, your benefit may be reduced

For Social Security Retirement:

The size of your Social Security check depends on:

• Lifetime Earnings: SSA uses your highest 35 years of indexed earnings to calculate your benefits
• Retirement Age: Reducing your benefits by as much as 30% by taking them at 62, while delaying to age 70 adds as much as 32%
• Work Credits: You must have 40 credits (about 10 years of work) to be eligible for retirement benefits

Also, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) keeps your payments in line with inflation. For 2025, the COLA was raised to 2.5%, providing beneficiaries with a modest increase to help offset increasing costs of living.

Real-World Examples of Social Security Situations

Example 1: Jane, Age 67, Retired Teacher
Jane taught in public schools for 35 years and retired at 67. Due to new legislation eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), she now gets full Social Security benefits on top of her teacher pension. With her long work record and delayed retirement, she earns a benefit nearly at maximum: $5,180 per month.

Example 2: Carl, Age 70, Disabled Veteran
Carl is a disabled veteran receiving veterans’ benefits and is eligible for SSI due to minimal personal income. He waited until age 70 to apply for Social Security, which enabled him to receive the maximum benefit of more than $4,900/month. He also gets $967 SSI, making his combined monthly assistance almost $5,900.

Example 3: Linda, Age 62, Low-Income Senior
Linda started receiving Social Security as soon as she could at age 62. Since she took benefits early, her benefit is less at $1,300/month. She also gets $500 in SSI because of her low income. Her overall monthly income remains pretty modest, but she is a beneficiary of both programs.

Tips to Maximize Your Benefits

• Postpone Your Retirement If You Can: Every year you postpone taking Social Security beyond your full retirement age increases your monthly payment by approximately 8%, until age 70.
• Earn More Years at a Higher Salary: Because your benefit is calculated based on your top 35-earning years, higher-earning years can replace lower-earning ones in your benefit calculation.
• Check Your Earnings Record Periodically: Mistakes in your earnings record can reduce your benefits. Sign up for a My Social Security account to check and resolve any discrepancies.
• Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) If You’re Eligible: Even if you’re getting retirement benefits, you might still qualify for SSI on the basis of financial need.
• Understand Spousal and Survivor Benefits: If you’re married, divorced, or a widow or widower, you might qualify for extra benefits based on your spouse’s record.

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