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. Nancy

    My social security check is supposed to be direct deposited on the 3rd day of the month. It is now 1:45am on March 3rd, and my check is not there and not even showing as “pending”. Please help as I have bills due.

    • V.V.

      Hi Nancy, 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.

  2. frances j.

    Is it possible to get social security payments earlier than your birth date for ie. instead of on the 4th Wednesday, is it possible to have it on the 2nd Wednesday. Thank you

  3. Laura A.

    I filed my application for social security 9/2020 for a birthday of 12/2020. Approved in 2/2021. I am under the understanding that once approved my payment for January would be paid for the month of december which was when I turned 62 and was eligible to receive benefits. However I received first payment in February for one month only??

    • V.V.

      Hi Laura, thanks for using our blog. The minimum age for Social Security retirement benefits is 62. To begin receiving reduced retirement benefits at 62, you are required to be age 62 for the entire month. For SSA purposes, individuals born on the first or second day of the month are considered age 62 for the “full” month and could be entitled to benefits for the month of their 62nd birthday. However, if born on the 3rd or later, you must wait a month. If you’re 62 on December 3rd or later in the month, you’re eligible for Social Security retirement benefits beginning in January. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, if you want your benefits to begin with January, you will receive your first benefit payment in February. 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.

  4. Karen

    I applied for Soc Sec on October 20, 2020. My 62 birthday was on Jan 14, 2021. Today is Feb 14, 2021. A month has passed since my 62 birthday and I have not yet received my first soc sec payment. In ‘My Social Security’ account it still says processing. I also have not received anything in the mail. How long does one have to wait to receive the first payment? Thank you.

  5. William J.

    Why would the government send you a check on the 3rd and you get a check the 4th week of every month I don’t understand this

    • S.D.

      Hi, William, and thanks for using our blog. Unfortunately, we’re not sure we understand your question. Perhaps it would help to take a look at our Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments for 2021. If you receive benefits on your own work history, we pay them based on your birth day as follows:
      • 1st-10th, the second Wednesday.
      • 11th-20th, the third Wednesday.
      • 21st-31st, the fourth Wednesday.

      We hope this is helpful. If we haven’t answered your question, please call 1-800-772-1213 or your local office. You’ll find the phone number here. Our call volume and wait times are greater than normal, so please be patient.

  6. Karl G.

    Why was the date for S.S. payments changed? It used to be the first day of the month. This is going to cause some problems for me as I pay many of my bills not by check but by auto pay.

    • S.D.

      Hi, Karl, and thanks for using our blog. In the past, Social Security payments were always dated and delivered on the 3rd day of the month, except if the 3rd was on a holiday or the weekend. In May 1997, in addition to the 3rd of the month, we started delivering checks on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays. The three new payment dates are assigned based on a beneficiary’s day of birth. Those who were entitled to Social Security benefits before May 1997 continue to receive their benefits on the 3rd.

      When all Social Security beneficiaries were paid on the 3rd, the days immediately following “check day” were extremely busy in our field offices and telephone service centers. The change to “payment cycling”, as we call it, has significantly helped us to spread out our workloads throughout the month, allowing our representatives more time to attend to our daily demands and provide our public with better service.

      We’re sorry, but we can’t change your check date. We hope this is helpful.

  7. Kyrie

    1st, why is my acct 4 mysocialsecurity suspended every time I try to go in? 2nd My part B is paid by the State SLMB so when is my 2021 pymt date?

    • V.V.

      Hi Kyrie, thanks for using our blog. The 2021 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendar is available online.

      Sorry to hear you are having difficulties creating a my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 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.

      • Mary G.

        My husband was told the 3rd Wednesday of the month but what I’m reading is his birthday is on the 29 of December this would be his first check. So which is it

  8. Kenia W.

    Didnt receive my check for January, i got my check of Dec 30th 2020 did that cover for January? If so am i receiving my ssi today (feb 1st)

  9. Endre P.

    What day I get my ssi or ssdi

  10. PaulF

    Social Security payment is made for the previous month, for example, in January for December. For what month does the Medicare deduction apply: previous, current, or next? Note that if Medicare is paid directly before SS starts, say by Easy pay, it is paid in advance for the next month, for example, in January for February.

    • S.D.

      Hi, Paul, and thanks for your question. Although Social Security benefits are paid a month behind, Medicare premiums are withheld in the month of coverage. For example, the Part B Medicare premium withheld from your benefit payment issued in January, which is for the month of December, actually funds your Medicare coverage for January, not December. We hope this helps.

      • Joanne L.

        I have not received January paymeny yet

      • Ken B.

        My wife died on October 19, 2020 and although her SS check was deposited on October 21 it was taken back from our joint checking account shortly thereafter. Was that correct? I have been told that amount was for September benefits.

        • S.D.

          We’re sorry for your loss, Ken. Your understanding is correct. Your wife’s October check was for her September benefits, so it appears there may be an underpayment payable on your wife’s record. If so, we will pay it to a family member or legal representative of the estate.

          To learn how to file a claim and to find the downloadable form, visit our webpage: Claim For Amounts Due In The Case Of Deceased Beneficiary. You’ll find the mailing address and phone number of your local office using the Social Security Office Locator. Please be aware that our call volume and wait times are greater than normal. We hope this information helps.

Comments are closed.