What Day of the Month Do I Get my Social Security Payment?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Timing is everything, and the arrival time of your monthly payment from Social Security can be key to keeping your financial house in order.
As you budget to pay your bills and save for future needs, keep in mind that your monthly retirement or disability benefit will be paid at the same time each month. To see your next payment date, create or log on to your my Social Security online account and go to the “Benefits & Payments” section.
In general, here’s how we assign payment dates:
- If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of the month, you’ll be paid on the second Wednesday of the month.
- If you were born on the 11th through the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the third Wednesday of the month.
- If you were born after the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
There are exceptions. For example, children and spouses who receive benefits based on someone else’s work record will be paid on the same day as the primary beneficiary.
For others, we may issue your payments on the 3rd of each month. Among other reasons, we do this if:
- You filed for benefits before May 1, 1997.
- You also receive a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment.
- Your Medicare premiums are paid for by the state where you live.
- You live in a foreign country.
Individuals who receive SSI payments due to disability, age, or blindness receive those payments on the 1st of each month.
If your payment date falls on a federal holiday or weekend, you can expect to receive that month’s payment on the weekday immediately prior.
You can see a current schedule for Social Security and SSI benefit payments in an easy-to-read calendar.
We’re with you through life’s journey, helping you to secure today and tomorrow through important financial benefits, information, and planning tools. To learn more, please visit our website.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
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David D.
I was wondering how ssa counts months. my fra is 66.6, so i was going to wait till 63.6 to receive benefits in order to be at the 80% level. My birthday is on the 3rd of the month, and wanted to know if that month would count as the 1st month going forward. So would it be the end of march or end of april that I would be at 63.6 if birth month was october. The only explanation I’ve seen online is if birthday is !st of month,then it considers the previous month as retirement month so going forward birth month would count as the 1st month.
David D.
I was wondering how ssa counts months. my fra is 66.6, so i was going to wait till 63.6 to receive benefits in order to be at the 80% level. My birthday is on the 3rd of the month, and wanted to know if that month would count as the 1st month going forward. So would it be the end of march or end of april that I would be at 63.6. The only explanation I’ve seen online is if birthday is !st of month,then it considers the previous month as retirement month so going forward birth month would count as the 1st month.
Carol
If a person applied for social security at the age of 62 how come some of the get paid on the 3 rd of every month ? Why don’t they get there checks according to there birth month?
Vonda
Hi Carol, thank you for using our blog. If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefit on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Go to Schedule of Social Security Payments for the current payment dates.
Renee
I don’t understand how some people get paid on the 3 rd of every month . When they applied for there social security at the age of 62 just like I did . I get paid the 4 Wednesday of every month because of my birth date . I understand that but I don’t understand if a person applied at 62 when there birthday is May 16 th they get paid on the 3 rd . I don’t understand why does some people get paid on the 3 rd of the month and most people get paid on either 2/3/4 Wednesday of the month . Don’t understand that my cousins bday is in October just like mine . She applied for her social security age 62 just like me. Why does she get paid on the third I get paid on the 4 Wednesday When her birthday is Only 2 weeks BFORE mine . She is the same age is me and she applied her social security at the age of 62 just like mine . She applied the same day we are the same ago only 2 weeks apart she gets paid on the 3 rd of every month I get paid 4 Wednesday of each month . Not understanding why I don’t get paid on the 3 of every month or how come she doesn’t get paid on the The 3rd Wednesday of every month ? Maybe someone can explain how some rope get paid either the 2nd wed day or the 3rd Wednesday / 4 Wednesday of every month . Why doesn’t everyone get paid on the 3rd ? Or on one of the Wednesdays of the month
Vonda
Hi Renee. Unfortunately you cannot change the date you receive your benefits. If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefit on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Go to Schedule of Social Security Payments for the current payment dates.
Telethia L.
I wonder can it be changed from every third Wednesday to the 3rd
Vonda
Hi Telethia, thanks for using our blog. Unfortunately you cannot change the date you receive your benefits. If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefit on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Go to Schedule of Social Security Payments for the current payment dates.
Larry G.
I have always reviews my social security money on the 3rd of each month. I just checked with my bank and it is not there. I am worried sick. What do I do?
Please help
Vonda V.
Hi Larry, thanks for using our blog. If you did not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Julie T.
I normally receive my SSDI on the third of each month. With Election Day being on the third of next month, when can I expect my check? Will it go in Monday night as usual or will it be early?
Bertha B.
If I’m supposed to get my s.s. Check the Wednesday of the 27 and this October Wednesday of the 27th is the 28th when should my check be deposited in my account?
Vonda V.
Hi Bertha, thanks for using our blog. The birthday of the person whose record they receive benefits under determines their payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Both the 2020 and 2021 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars are available online.
Steven
Hello Bruce, I don’t know when you usually get your ssa benefit payed. Mine is done directly. I too was thinking I would receive mine today. As mine is every 3rd Wednesday of the month. I called my local ssa office to inquire of this. The information I received, is the 1st Wednesday of the month starts upon the 1st full 7 day week going forward. This being the 2nd full week of the month. The 21st will be the 3rd Wednesday of the month for October & any other months in the calendar year. I hope this elevates you concerns.
Bruce L.
I have not received my social security check what happened.
Vonda V.
Hi Bruce, thanks for using our blog. If you did not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.