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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John T.
The last two months my check has been deposited between 5-7 days early, before the third Wednesday on which I have always received Social Security. I’t been a surprise and I am not complaining. Just wondering why.
Vonda
Hi John, thanks for using our blog. You may want to check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the upcoming payment dates. We hope this is helpful!
Lorraine B.
The payment system is very frustrating. First, according to my birthday I should be getting my check on the 4th Wednesday. My husband should get his on the 3rd Wednesday. But we both get it on the 3rd Wednesday. And I am not getting spousal SS. The problem with the system is the huge swing possible from month to month…impossible for bill planning and paying. I get the check (electronically) anywhere from the 15th to the 21st. So sometimes there are 5 weeks between paydays! Very frustrating. I suppose there’s nothing that can be done. My mom used to get hers on the 1st every month. Why not pick a date instead of a movable Wednesday? Thank you.
Tom H.
That’s a good question! I receive my S.S.D.I. on the 4th Wednesday of the month with me sometimes waiting 39 days in between payments causing my pre-paid phone to be shut off & late with other bills!! Doesn’t seem fair when people on S.S.I. in which is federal welfare always receiving theirs on the 1st or the 3rd & if theirs falls on a Saturday or Sunday they get it early the previous Friday!! The working people that get Social Security retirement or SSDi get punished by this 3rd or 4th Wednesday program because sometime we have to wait as long as 39 days in between payments & prepaid phones get shut off along with cable & making other bills late!! They should remedy this by giving it to everybody in all Social Security programs on the 1st or the 3rd but the ones that worked & got SSDI or Social Security retirement are punished by these delays & 2 years ago 2 years in a row my 4th Wednesday payment was on December 26th & they couldn’t even get it to me early but if it would have been a holiday for the people who receive on the 1st or 3rd they would have received their payments the Friday before!! This is definitely not fair having sometime as much as a 39 day gap in between payments!! This system needs changed immediately so that everybody entitled to a payment from Social Security gets theirs on the 1st & 3rd like the other recipients so we can take advantage of figuring our bills on time & also take the advantage of receiving it a day or 2 early when a Saturday or Sunday falls on the 1st & 3rd & we could get ours early on a Friday as well!! The ones who actually worked for it are punished by having to wait sometimes up to 39 days while those on SSI are on federal welfare & get theirs the 1st or 3rd or earlier if them dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday or Holiday!! The people that work for it should command the same respect!!
Alexander H.
My wife gets disability. Those payments come on the 1st and we always get letters in the mail. But, she is owed thousands in backpay that is supposed to be coming in 6-month installments. She got one small payment in May, and got no money in November when she should have. There’s still a lot of backpay she should be getting. I called and one rep said it should automatically go into our account, and the next time I called the rep said it’ll show up when the caseworker gets around to releasing it. It’s now December and she’s panicking, not good with her disability! How do I find out the caseworker’s supervisor’s information so I can report that the caseworker dropped the ball?
Vonda
Hi Alexander, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing and understand your frustration. Please continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. 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.
Alexander H.
I would, but her caseworker always lets my calls go to voicemail, does not call me back, and the local office telephone system will not allow me to connect with a live person if I don’t know their extension. How can I reach her manager?
Vonda
Hi Alexander. Use our Social Security Office Locator to obtain the telephone number of your local office. The representative answering the phone will be able to assist.
Wesley C.
I have not received my Social Security check .It was due on 3 December always comes in the mail but I have not received it yet
Vonda
Hi Wesley, thanks for using our blog. 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.
Starr d.
in november they mailed my check on time the rent check and my personal check for december 2020 i never got my check on the first third or 4th and i called my payee service which is west florin payee service and they told me on the fourth that they mailed it after thanksgiving on the weekend and their was a holiday friday i emailed post office and i looked at a calender and it said the 9th then i saw where it says it depends on your birthday my birthday is august 20th so i will see it december 20th and also i remember last christmas i didnt get untill they added the bonuas so can you please help
Vonda
Hi Starr, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the payment dates. We hope this helps!
Margarita H.
Why SS send me a letter telling me that I going to receive
December 2020 on January 2021. SS is my only source of income. This never happen before.Plus seem to me they are
Cheating me of a month.
Vonda
Hi Margarita, thank you for your question. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, you will receive your December benefit in January. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.
Starr C.
I have a payee service called west florin I usually get my personal check and rent check to pay for our hotel mail to us on December 1st 3rd or 4th they said today I would see it in the mail but didn’t come and I go on website and calender was saying the 9th it depends on my birthday cause it’s August 20th and since holidays I might be getting with a holiday bonus can you help and I need a replacement ssi card and they say my account is suspended
Vonda
For your security, Starr, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us 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.
darlene
i am 62 my birthday is nov 16th i am getting my first ss ck dec 31st. i thought i would get it by 3rd wed of every month
Vonda
Hi Darlene, thank you 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
Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the payment dates.
bruce f.
Hello…
I am an SSA recipient citizen living in Costa Rica. Should I expect payment on every 3rd of the month or must I use the birthday system?
Thank you.
Pamela W.
i have not recieved my social security check for this month i have always received it on the first and my bankusually can deposit as soon as they eceive it iusually receive it two days before unless it is on a sunday
Vonda
Hi Pamela, 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.