The $967 figure is the federal SSI payment amount for May 2025

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program sets a maximum monthly payment each year. For May 2025, that maximum is $967 per month for an individual living independently. This is the highest amount the Social Security Administration will pay in a single month under the federal SSI program, though your actual payment may be lower depending on your income, living situation, and state.

SSI payments arrive on the same day each month — usually the first of the month, or the first business day if the first falls on a weekend or holiday. If you receive SSI, you can check your exact payment date and amount by logging into your Social Security account online or calling 1-800-772-1213.

The $967 amount changes once per year, typically in January, based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The May payment you receive reflects the adjustment that took effect in January 2025. If you received a different amount in previous months, it was because the federal maximum was lower then, or because your individual circumstances — such as income or living arrangements — reduced your payment.

Key Takeaways

  • The $967 maximum SSI payment for May 2025 is the federal limit; your actual payment may be lower based on your income and living situation.
  • SSI payments arrive on a set schedule each month, usually the first of the month or the first business day.
  • The payment amount you receive depends on whether you live alone, with family, or in a facility, and whether you have other income.
  • Your state may add money to the federal payment; some states pay significantly more than $967 per month.
  • You can view your exact payment date and amount through your Social Security online account or by phone.

How your actual SSI payment is calculated from the $967 maximum

The $967 is a ceiling, not a may provide. Social Security subtracts any other income you receive — wages, pensions, unemployment benefits, or money from family members living in your household — from the $967 maximum. The result is your federal SSI payment. For example, if you earn $200 per month from part-time work, your federal SSI payment would be $767 (though Social Security excludes the first $65 of earnings and half of the remainder, so the actual calculation is more favorable than this straightforward example).

Your living situation also affects the amount. If you live in someone else's household and they provide you food or shelter, Social Security may reduce your payment by up to one-third of the $967 maximum. If you live in a medical facility and Medicaid pays part of your care, your payment drops to $30 per month. These reductions exist because SSI is designed to cover basic living costs, and if those costs are already covered, the payment adjusts downward.

Some states add their own money on top of the federal $967. These state supplements vary widely — some states add $50 to $100 per month, while others add several hundred dollars. If you live in a state with a supplement, your May 2025 payment will be higher than $967. You can find your state's current supplement amount by contacting your local Social Security office or checking the SSA website.

When May 2025 payments arrive and how to track yours

SSI payments are deposited into your bank account or prepaid card on a fixed schedule. Most recipients receive payment on the first of each month. If the first falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the payment arrives on the Friday before. If it falls on a federal holiday, payment arrives the day before the holiday.

You can confirm your exact payment date by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov. Click "Benefit Verification" and look for your payment schedule. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your email address and Social Security number. Alternatively, call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative who can tell you your payment date and amount.

If your May payment does not arrive on the expected date, wait one business day before contacting Social Security. Bank processing delays sometimes add a day. If it still has not arrived after two business days, call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. Social Security can trace the payment and reissue it if necessary.

Why the $967 amount changed from previous years

The SSI maximum payment increases each January based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment reflects inflation — the rise in prices for food, housing, utilities, and other necessities. The Social Security Administration calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index, which measures how much prices have risen since the previous year.

For 2025, the COLA was 2.5 percent, meaning the maximum SSI payment increased by 2.5 percent from 2024. The previous year's maximum was $943, so the new maximum of $967 reflects that increase. If you received SSI in April 2025, your payment was $943 (or lower, depending on your circumstances). Your May 2025 payment reflects the new, higher maximum.

COLA adjustments are automatic — you do not need to do anything to receive the increase. Social Security applies it to your account in January, and it shows up in your first payment of the year. If your payment did not increase in January 2025, contact Social Security to verify your account, as an error may have occurred.

What counts as income and what does not

SSI counts most money you receive as income, which reduces your payment. Wages from work, self-employment income, pensions, annuities, unemployment benefits, and money from family members in your household all count. However, Social Security excludes the first $65 of monthly earnings from work, plus half of anything you earn above that. This means you can earn some money without losing your entire SSI payment.

Some income does not count toward SSI. Gifts and loans do not count as income (though they may count as resources if you keep them). Food and shelter provided by nonprofits or government programs do not count. Tax refunds do not count. Certain in-kind support — such as food or shelter provided by a nonprofit — is treated differently than cash income. If you are unsure whether something counts, ask Social Security before you receive it, because retroactively correcting an overpayment can be difficult.

Resources — money and property you own — are separate from income. SSI limits your resources to $2,000 for an individual (or $3,000 for a couple). If you have more than that, you may lose SSI until your resources drop below the limit. Money in a bank account, a car, real estate, and investments all count as resources. Again, some things are excluded — your primary home and one vehicle do not count, and certain retirement accounts have special rules.

How to report changes that might affect your May payment

If your income, living situation, or household changed between April and May 2025, you must report it to Social Security. Changes that reduce your payment — such as starting a job or moving in with family — must be reported within 10 days. Changes that increase your payment — such as losing a job or moving out — should also be reported promptly, though the important date is less strict.

You can report changes online through your Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Have your Social Security number and details of the change ready. If you report a change after your May payment has been deposited, Social Security will adjust your June payment to correct any overpayment or underpayment from May.

Failing to report a change can result in an overpayment — money you were not supposed to receive. Social Security will ask you to repay it, and if you do not, they can reduce future payments or take other collection action. It is always better to report a change promptly, even if you are unsure whether it matters.

State SSI supplements and how they affect your total payment

Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., add their own money to the federal SSI payment. These state supplements are not automatic — you must live in one of these states to receive them. The states with supplements are California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

The supplement amounts vary by state and by living situation. California, for example, pays a state supplement of $70.10 per month for an individual living independently (as of 2025), bringing the total to over $1,037. New York pays a higher supplement. Some states pay different amounts depending on whether you live alone, with family, or in a facility. If you live in a state with a supplement, your May 2025 payment will include both the federal $967 and the state amount.

If you move to a different state, your payment may change. Some states pay more than others. If you are considering a move, contact Social Security in advance to learn how it will affect your payment. The change takes effect the month after you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $967 payment the same in every state?

The federal maximum of $967 is the same everywhere, but fourteen states add their own supplement on top of it. If you live in California, New York, or another state with a supplement, your total payment will be higher than $967. If you live in a state without a supplement, your payment is based only on the federal $967 maximum (minus any deductions for income or living situation).

What if I did not receive my May payment on the expected date?

Wait one business day, as bank processing can cause a one-day delay. If it still has not arrived after two business days, call 1-800-772-1213 to report it. Social Security can trace the payment and determine whether it was sent correctly. If there was an error, they can reissue the payment.

Can I work and still receive the full $967 SSI payment?

Yes, if your earnings are low enough. Social Security excludes the first $65 of monthly work income and half of anything above that. So if you earn $200 per month, only $67.50 counts against your SSI payment, leaving you with most of the $967. The more you earn, the more your SSI payment is reduced, but you do not lose it entirely until your earnings are very high.

Why did my May payment differ from the $967 amount?

Your actual payment is reduced by any other income you receive, by one-third if someone else provides your food or shelter, or to $30 if you live in a medical facility. Additionally, if you live in a state with a supplement, your payment is higher than $967. Check your Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213 to see the breakdown of your specific payment.

Does the $967 payment increase every year?

Yes, the maximum SSI payment increases each January based on the cost-of-living adjustment. The increase reflects inflation and is automatic — you do not need to do anything. The amount of the increase varies year to year depending on how much prices have risen.