Social Security check missing? What to do now

If your expected April 2025 Social Security payment hasn’t arrived, you’re not alone—and there are clear steps you can take to track it down. Each month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) processes payments for over 67 million Americans, but issues like bank delays, incorrect info, or mailing problems can cause late or missing checks.

Here’s how to identify the problem and resolve it quickly.

First: Check the April 2025 payment schedule

Social security payments for April are going out.

Before reporting a missing check, confirm your scheduled payment date. Social Security payments are issued in groups, based on when you started benefits and your birthday.

April 2025 Schedule:

Group	Eligibility	Payment Date
Group 1	Started benefits before May 1997	April 3
Group 2	Birthdays 1st–10th	April 10
Group 3	Birthdays 11th–20th	April 17
Group 4	Birthdays 21st–31st	April 24

If your birthday is late in the month and you’re in Group 4, your payment may still be pending until April 24.

Next: Confirm your payment method

How you receive your benefits determines when you’ll get them:

Direct deposit: Funds usually appear by 9 a.m. on the payment date.
Direct Express debit card: Payments follow a similar schedule.
Paper check: May take 2–3 additional business days to arrive by mail.

If your bank is experiencing delays, check your recent transaction history and call your bank before contacting the SSA.

When to report a missing payment

The SSA recommends waiting three business days after your scheduled payment date before reporting a missing payment. For example:

If your payment was due April 17, wait until April 22.
If your payment is due April 24, wait until April 29 before contacting SSA.

If your check or deposit is late and that three-day window has passed, follow these steps:

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit your local Social Security office, especially if your address or account info recently changed.
Log into your mySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov/myaccount to verify:
- Scheduled payment dates
- Bank routing and deposit info
- Recent updates or errors

SSA staff can initiate a payment trace if your check is lost or the deposit failed. A reissued payment may take several days to process.

Common reasons for late or missing checks

Several issues can lead to missing payments, including:

Bank account changes without updating SSA
Closed or frozen accounts
Address changes for paper checks
Delays in USPS delivery
Identity verification holds due to fraud prevention

If you’ve recently moved or changed banks, update your information as soon as possible using the mySocialSecurity portal.

Can the SSA issue emergency payments?

In rare cases, SSA field offices may issue emergency payments if your benefit is significantly delayed and you’re facing financial hardship. You must speak directly with an agent to request this.

Protect your benefits going forward

To avoid future delays:

Set up direct deposit through your bank or SSA
Keep your address and contact info up to date
Monitor your SSA inbox regularly for notifications or alerts
Consider using a Direct Express® debit card if you don’t have a bank account

For more on managing your benefits or to track upcoming payments, visit ssa.gov or download the mySocialSecurity app.

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Is Your Social Security Check Missing? Here’s What to Do