Numerous beneficiaries of federal programs in the United States faced confusion this week when they found incorrect messages on the Social Security Administration (SSA) portal. The notifications, which falsely indicated the interruption of their payments, mainly affected those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to various media reports.
The problem originated during a series of technical failures in the agency’s digital systems, linked to internal restructuring and unvalidated updates. Although the deposits were ultimately made without delays, the situation sparked concern among the 7.4 million people who depend on these funds to cover basic needs.
Social Security sent wrong messages: what to do to avoid panic
SSI offers monthly support to older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income citizens. Many users spent hours trying to contact the SSA through saturated lines or repeatedly checking their accounts, according to testimonies collected by the American media. The uncertainty was compounded by recent changes at the agency, including staff cuts and the transition to digital services.
The SSA’s technology division has seen multiple outages since the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, reduced its workforce by 50%. These modifications, promoted under the Trump administration, also include the progressive closure of physical offices and the migration of key procedures to online platforms.
Starting April 14, identity verification will be carried out exclusively online, a measure that civil organizations consider problematic for people without access to technology or with limited mobility. In parallel, the SSA reinstated a controversial policy on March 27 to recover excess payments, withdrawing up to 100% of a monthly benefit in new cases.
Social Security payment schedule for April 2025
- April 1, 2025
- Payment of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for all beneficiaries of this program.
- It is paid on the first day of the month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case it is paid in advance.
- This year, April 1st falls on a Tuesday, so the payment remains on that date.
- Payment of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for all beneficiaries of this program.
- April 3, 2025
- Payment for beneficiaries who began receiving Social Security before May 1997.
- It also applies to those who receive SSI and Social Security at the same time, or if the state pays your Medicare premiums.
- This group usually gets paid on the 3rd of each month.
- Payment for beneficiaries who began receiving Social Security before May 1997.
- April 9, 2025
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 1 and 10 of any month.
- Applies only to those who began receiving benefits after may 1997.
- Corresponds to second wednesday of the month.
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 1 and 10 of any month.
- April 16, 2025
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 11 and 20 of any month.
- Also for those who receive benefits since after May 1997.
- Corresponds to third wednesday of the month.
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 11 and 20 of any month.
- April 23, 2025
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 21 and 31 of any month.
- Applies to those who began receiving benefits after may 1997.
- It is the fourth wednesday of the month.
- Payment for beneficiaries born between 21 and 31 of any month.
Is DOGE cutting fundings to the SSA?
DOGE, created to reduce $1 trillion in federal spending by September 2025, has extended its influence to the SSA. This includes plans to reduce staff from 57,000 to 50,000 employees and replace in-person services with digital channels. Organizations like AARP warn that these measures could exclude rural populations or those with technological limitations.
Additionally, the update of death records—which misclassified living citizens as dead—has disrupted legitimate benefits. Although the DOGE justifies the measure as fraud prevention, documented cases show that corrections can take months, leaving those affected without essential income.
Public policy experts point out that, while the DOGE promotes cuts and automation, the SSA faces unprecedented demands: an aging population, an increase in disability claims and the complexity of managing 70 million cases. The tension between reducing costs and maintaining services has resulted in recurring technology outages, some lasting up to 24 hours.