General

What Day of the Month Do I Get my Social Security Payment?

June 6, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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

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Comments

  1. Ramseyer

    SS is top, easy to access and giving all info needed.

  2. Loui G.

    I receive my check on the second Wednesday of every month. However, on one side of the situation I have asked for a earlier time and the other side aking payments to be changed until the ck is received!

  3. Simone M.

    My check comes on the first; my husband and sons both come on the 2nd Wednesdays. I tell my creditors that they must allow us to pay our bills on the 20th of the month because of the way Social Security pays us. Most of our creditors have no idea that there is a specific pattern for payment.

  4. Mr T.

    Please start pay my beneficiaries of ssa income on 06/23/2019 by IAT system deposit direct transfer to my account holding bangkok bank in new york brand service for me in my location in Thailand

    • A.C.

      Hi. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Since you are living outside of the U.S. you can contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this helps.

    • Kimberly A.

      I’m Kimberly AntleyFree could u tell me about my ssa

      • A.C.

        Hi, Kimberly. If you are referring to your personal my Social Security account, with this account, you can review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. If you are still unable to create an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
        •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
        •Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  5. Penelope H.

    If my husband passes, what amount of his SS would I get?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Penelope. Good question! The amount of your widow or widower benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the person who died, when the deceased worker started receiving their benefits, your age at the time of your spouse’s death, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit at the time of your spouse’s passing, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, visit here. Thanks!

  6. Disabled C.

    If disability payments are coming on the 3rd, will payments continue to come on the 3rd when disability shifts into retirement, even if retirement would otherwise come later in the month? If not, how is the transition made?

    • A.C.

      Hi. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same as well as the payment date. Also, starting the month you reach retirement age, you will get benefits with no limit on your earnings. We hope this helps.

  7. Leon P.

    How long have to wait for my child benefits claim? i applied January 23, 2019, according to my claim examiner we have to wait for the paternity investigator. i thought the maximum processing is about 120 days? what happen? my child is undrrgo to school this august so please help me for this.matter. tyi

    • A.C.

      Hi, Leon. Thanks for your question. The length of time it takes to process an application can vary. For your son’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.

  8. Elizabeth O.

    Your SSA calendar is one year out of date.

    • A.C.

      Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Elizabeth. The post has been updated.

  9. Diana B.

    I asked for an estimate of my SS benefits at the age of 70…seems like weeks ago and I still haven’t gotten it. Can you check and see where it is please?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Diana. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Good news, though! Our Retirement Estimator gives you future estimates of monthly Social Security benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Also, we have a variety of benefit calculators to help you plan for the future. Which calculator you choose depends on what you want to do. The best way to start planning for your future is by creating a my Social Security account online. With your personal my Social Security account, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more. We hope this helps.

  10. Franchesta

    Thanks for this information; I am new to this and I wasn’t sure. When I first applied I was told one thing and then I received documentation in the mail stating a different amount (less) and it arrives on a different date. So, thank you for this info.

Comments are closed.