By Jennifer A. Dlouhy | Updated
As the Social Security Administration (SSA) prepares the next wave of benefit deposits on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, most retirees, disabled workers, and survivor beneficiaries are scheduled to receive their monthly payments on time. But not everyone is eligible for Social Security benefits — and certain groups remain ineligible under current law, even if they think they should be paid on a Social Security payment date.
Social Security is one of the most important safety nets in the U.S., providing monthly income for retirees, people with disabilities, dependents, and survivors. Benefits are generally structured based on work history, earnings, family relationships, and, in some cases, disability determinations. But just because someone wants a benefit check doesn’t mean the law allows it.
Below is a detailed, USA TODAY–style breakdown of the two groups that cannot receive Social Security benefits under current law as of May 20, 2026 — who they are, and why they remain ineligible.
📊 How Social Security Eligibility Works
Before we dive into the ineligible groups, it’s important to understand the basics of eligibility:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Work credits | Most beneficiaries must have earned enough work credits by paying into the system through payroll taxes. |
| Age and status | Retirement benefits typically begin at age 62 or older, or at full retirement age (FRA). Survivors and dependents must also meet specific criteria. |
| Disability standards | SSDI requires proof of disability that meets SSA definitions. |
| Residence and citizenship | Some noncitizens qualify; others do not. |
People who meet these standards can receive Social Security benefits. But some people fall outside these eligibility rules altogether.
📌 Group #1 — Non‑Citizens Without Qualifying Work History or Legal Status
Who They Are
Non‑citizens who do not have:
- Legal status in the U.S., or
- Qualifying work history under U.S. payroll tax rules
are generally ineligible for Social Security benefits, even if they live in the U.S. and file tax returns.
Why They Can’t Receive Benefits
Social Security retirement and disability benefits are based on work credits earned through employment covered by Social Security taxes. To qualify for retirement benefits, individuals typically need 40 work credits — roughly equivalent to 10 years of work. But beyond that, the law also requires:
- Legal presence or lawful work authorization (for many benefit categories)
- For noncitizens, specific immigration statuses that allow eligibility
If a person does not have a recognized work history or lacks legal authorization that allows benefit eligibility, Social Security simply cannot pay benefits on their behalf.
Examples
- Undocumented immigrants who have not worked in employment covered by Social Security taxes.
- Visitors on temporary visas without eligibility to work in Social Security‑covered jobs.
- Individuals whose only U.S. tax filings were from self‑reported income not subject to Social Security payroll taxes.
Why This Matters on May 20
Even though May 20 is a recognized payment date for beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 11th and 20th of the month, people in this group — no matter their birthday — will not receive Social Security checks on that date (or any date) because they do not meet the statutory requirements for benefit eligibility.
📌 Group #2 — People Not Legally Entitled to Disability or Retirement Benefits Because They Do Not Meet SSA Definitions
Who They Are
This group includes people who apply for Social Security disability or retirement benefits but do not meet the SSA’s eligibility criteria for benefits — meaning the law does not allow SSA to pay them, even if they submit an application.
Examples include:
- People with insufficient work credit history (e.g., younger workers or those with intermittent work)
- Applicants whose medical conditions do not meet the SSA’s disability standards
- Individuals who have never worked in covered employment and have no insured status
- People who have applied, but whose claim is denied, and who are not in timely appeal
Why They Can’t Receive Benefits
Social Security benefits are paid based on insured status, meaning the applicant must have:
- Sufficient work credits (for retirement or SSDI)
- A medical condition that meets the SSA’s stringent definition of disability (for SSDI)
- Submitted a valid and ultimately approved claim
If any of these conditions are missing, the law prohibits the SSA from paying out benefits under any payment cycle — including May 20.
Legal/Policy Basis
For disability benefits specifically, the SSA requires that:
- The applicant has a medically determinable impairment,
- The condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death,
- The applicant can’t engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
If the SSA determines that an applicant does not meet these standards, the claim is denied and they remain ineligible until they successfully appeal or fix the basis for denial.
For retirement benefits, work credits are key. Younger workers (e.g., age 50) who stop working before earning enough credits may simply never qualify for retirement benefits.
Why This Matters on May 20
Even though retirement and SSDI checks go out on this date for eligible groups, people in this category are legally barred from receiving such payments — and no payment will arrive, regardless of timing.
📊 Other Groups Often Misunderstood as “Ineligible”
It’s worth clarifying that some people think they should get Social Security but don’t match the legal criteria.
| Group | Reason They Are Not Eligible |
|---|---|
| Students without work history | No work credits |
| People outside the U.S. without qualifying status | Residence rules apply |
| People denied benefits but not appealed | Denial becomes final |
| People who worked for government without Social Security coverage | Must meet separate criteria |
Although these groups may seem like they should receive benefits, the law does not allow it — especially on a Social Security payment date like May 20.
📊 How SSA Payments Are Scheduled
For context, here’s how the SSA staggers payments throughout May:
| Birthday Range | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 1st–10th | May 13 |
| 11th–20th | May 20 |
| 21st–31st | May 27 |
This schedule applies to retirement, survivor, and SSDI benefits — for eligible recipients only.
📊 Average Social Security Benefits in 2026
Even among eligible beneficiaries, payment sizes vary based on work history, age at claiming, and disability status.
| Category | Average Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| Retired worker | ~$2,071 |
| Retired couple | ~$3,200+ |
| SSDI recipient | ~$1,634 |
| Survivor beneficiary | ~$1,625 |
| SSI recipient | ~$738 |
Most ordinary retirees are unaffected by the ineligible categories above — but understanding who cannot receive benefits is critical.
📊 Why Eligibility Rules Exist
Social Security is funded through payroll tax contributions over a worker’s career. Eligibility rules ensure that:
- Benefits are paid to people who have contributed to the program,
- Disability benefits are paid only to people who meet medical and work criteria,
- The system remains financially sustainable.
Eligibility rules also reflect longstanding legal interpretations and Social Security law passed by Congress — which is why some groups remain ineligible even if they might appear otherwise.
🧾 Final Summary — Ineligibility on May 20, 2026
| Group | Reason Ineligible | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Non‑citizens without qualifying work history or legal status | Not covered under U.S. Social Security law | No checks, regardless of payment date |
| People with no qualifying work credits or denial of SSDI/retirement claims | Do not meet SSA eligibility criteria | No benefits until success on appeal or work credits earned |
📌 Final Word
Not everyone receives Social Security checks on a given payment date — and for good legal reasons. The law clearly defines who is eligible and who is not. Whether due to lack of work history, immigration status, or failure to meet disability standards, some groups simply can’t receive Social Security benefits no matter what date the SSA sends payments.
If you fall into one of the ineligible categories but believe you should qualify, reviewing your eligibility status with the SSA or a benefits specialist may offer a path forward. Meanwhile, for eligible recipients born between the 11th and 20th of the month, payments on May 20 are set to go out on schedule as part of the SSA’s regular distribution cycle.
Let me know if you’d like help understanding eligibility criteria that do qualify you for Social Security payments — or what you can do if your benefit was denied.
