When are Social Security payments made each month?
Most people who get retirement, survivors, or disability benefits are paid on a Wednesday. Which Wednesday depends on the day of the month you were born. This spreads payments across the month instead of sending them all at once, according to the Schedule of Social Security Payments on ssa.gov.
There are two exceptions. If you started getting benefits before May 1997, you are paid on the 3rd of each month. The same is true if you get both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), per ssa.gov.
Which Wednesday will my payment arrive?
Your birth date sets your payday. The rule from ssa.gov is simple:
- Born on the 1st through the 10th: paid the second Wednesday.
- Born on the 11th through the 20th: paid the third Wednesday.
- Born on the 21st through the 31st: paid the fourth Wednesday.
If your payday falls on a federal holiday, you are paid the business day before, according to ssa.gov.
When are SSI payments made?
SSI is a separate program for people with limited income who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. SSI payments arrive on the 1st of the month, as noted by the SSI program page on ssa.gov.
When the 1st lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment comes on the last business day before it. That is why some months show an SSI deposit at the end of the prior month.
What should I do if my payment is late?
First, check the payment schedule and make sure the date has passed. Social Security asks you to wait three mailing days after your expected date before you report a missing payment, per ssa.gov.
If it still has not arrived, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit an office in person. You can find your local Social Security office through this directory. We do not have office-specific wait times or crowd patterns, so we will not guess at them.
How are payments delivered?
Payments are sent electronically. You can choose direct deposit to a bank or credit union account, or the Direct Express debit card if you do not have an account. Electronic payment has been required for most people since 2013, according to the Get your benefits electronically page on ssa.gov.
Paper checks are no longer the standard. Electronic delivery is faster and lowers the risk of a lost or stolen check.
Frequently asked questions
When are Social Security payments made each month?
Retirement, survivors, and disability payments are made on a Wednesday chosen by your birth date. Some older claims and combined Social Security and SSI cases are paid on the 3rd.
Which Wednesday will my payment arrive?
Born the 1st to 10th, second Wednesday. Born the 11th to 20th, third Wednesday. Born the 21st to 31st, fourth Wednesday.
When are SSI payments made?
SSI is paid on the 1st of the month. If the 1st is a weekend or holiday, you get it on the last business day before.
What should I do if my payment is late?
Wait three mailing days after your expected date. If it has not arrived, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office.
How are payments delivered?
By direct deposit to your bank account or through the Direct Express debit card. Paper checks are no longer the standard.
Want the wider picture? Read more about Social Security benefits.