Small random deposits from Social Security showing up in bank account - $26 total with no explanation

These sound like back-pay interest payments. When SSA takes a long time to process your application, they sometimes include interest on the delayed amount. The fact that you applied 8 months ago and you're getting these small deposits suggests your application might finally be processing. Check your mySSA account online - there might be an update there that hasn't been mailed to you yet.

HAPPENED TO ME TOO!! Got $22 last month out of NOWHERE and then another $7 three days later!!! Called SSA like 15 times and kept getting disconnected. Finally got a letter TWO WEEKS LATER saying it was interest on delayed payments from when they recalculated my COLA adjustment from 2023. The whole system is RIDICULOUS!

It could be several things: 1. Interest payments on delayed benefits 2. Correction of previous underpayments 3. COLA adjustments being applied retroactively 4. Tax withholding corrections The most reliable way to find out is to speak directly with an SSA representative. However, I know their phone lines are notoriously difficult to get through. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual SSA agent without the endless waiting. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once you connect with an agent, specifically ask them to check your payment history and explain these deposits. Make sure to have the exact dates and amounts ready.

my wife got something similar back in november. ended up being an adjustment for medicare part b overpayment. they took too much from her ss check for three months and paid it back without telling anyone. check if you have medicare maybe?

This is actually quite common with Social Security. What you're describing sounds exactly like interest payments on delayed benefits. When your application takes longer than usual to process (which 8 months certainly qualifies), SSA is required by law to pay interest on the back benefits you're owed. The separate deposits typically represent different interest calculation periods, which is why you received two different amounts on consecutive days. If your application is approved soon, you'll likely see the actual backpay amount (which would be much larger) deposited later. You should receive an official notice from SSA explaining the payments, but these notices often arrive weeks after the deposits. I'd suggest checking your mailbox carefully in the coming days.

did u try logging into the mySocialSecurity website? sometimes they post messages there that explain stuff

The REAL problem here is that SSA just drops money in peoples accounts with ZERO EXPLANATION!! Then expects us to waste HOURS trying to figure it out! My neighbor got a $1600 overpayment notice last month for payments THEY calculated wrong in the first place!!! And they wonder why everyone hates dealing with them!!!!

Just to add a bit more context to my earlier reply - these interest payments are calculated using a specific formula based on the Federal short-term rate, which is why they often seem like such odd amounts. The formula is quarterly compounded at a rate equal to the Federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. If you want to confirm whether these are indeed interest payments, the next time you're able to speak with an SSA representative, ask them specifically to check your account for interest payments on pending benefits. They'll be able to see exactly what these deposits represent. Based on the timing and amounts you've described, I'm fairly confident you'll be receiving good news about your application soon.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this fairly regularly. Those small deposits are almost certainly interest payments on your delayed retirement application. The fact that you're getting them 8 months after applying is actually a positive indicator - it usually means SSA has finished their initial review and is preparing to process your approval. The amounts ($14 and $12) are typical for interest calculations on a few months of delayed benefits. What usually happens next is you'll receive your official approval letter within 2-4 weeks, followed by a larger lump sum payment for your retroactive benefits. Keep those deposit records - you'll want them for your tax records since SSA interest payments are taxable income. And don't spend the money just yet in case there's any administrative error, though that's unlikely given the circumstances.

I've been through a similar situation! Got three small deposits ($8, $15, and $11) over a week last year while my disability application was pending. Turns out they were interest payments on delayed benefits, just like others have mentioned here. What really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every deposit with dates and amounts, plus screenshots of my bank statements. When I finally got through to SSA (took about 20 tries over two weeks), the representative was able to explain everything clearly with those details in front of me. One tip: try calling SSA right when they open at 8 AM local time. I had much better luck getting through early in the morning. Also, if you do reach someone, ask them to put notes in your file about what these deposits are for - it'll help if you need to call again later. The good news is that everyone I know who got these interest payments ended up getting their full approval within a month or two afterward. Fingers crossed for you!

I had a very similar experience about 6 months ago! I received two small deposits from SSA ($19 and $8) about a week apart while my spouse's survivor benefits application was still processing. Like you, I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone and there was no explanation in my online account. It turned out to be exactly what others have said - interest on delayed benefits. About 3 weeks after those deposits, we received the official approval letter and then the full retroactive payment hit our account. One thing that helped me was going to my local SSA office in person. I know it's not always convenient, but the staff there could actually look up my account immediately and explain what the deposits were for. They also gave me a printed statement showing the interest calculation, which was helpful for my records. If you can't make it to an office, definitely try the early morning calling strategy others mentioned. But honestly, based on your timeline and the amounts, this sounds like really good news - these interest payments usually come right before final approval!