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

Comments

  1. Marlene K.

    This is Marlene Klinger and I want to know if My Checks can be made on the 3rd of the month because my husband has PROSTATE CANCER AND Where I am living at now I have to have the rent in by the 3rd of the Month in is the lease and they don’t tolerate Late Payments

    THANK YOU MARLENE KLINGER

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Marlene. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition and situation. Unfortunately, you cannot change your payment date. It is based on the birthday of the person on whose record you receive benefits. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!

  2. Ramiro,Edel,Freddy, L.

    Why are you guys make it so hard, for me to get my SSC and benefits, I work hard and contributed into the pension plan 401k
    True Graham packaging, Lp
    Silah plant, 510 E Naches Ave, Wa,
    5697, was my number, and every month I was resiving a different pay stub as a sertificade, I showed up to the fruiybelt administration at Yakima. Wa
    My investments on gpc black rock principal my right choice benefits .are over in the Billions and since I found out, people and companys keep on trying to take it from me saying I died. And misleading me on my B’day, I can exactly remember, my B day do to a split I got on my head long ago,
    I have the transcripts , from many industry’s and the USA GOVERMENT has done nothing to payme or they want to still it. I will start posting SSN on the internet this involves companys governments even the cricket president we have, Mexicans try to send me back to Mexico the sibling in New York of my Huncle is trying to be me, to take it to Honduras, some guy name Scott Mazzola. Or the father himself is trying to take it to UK, China Asia, with the phones hacking even my sister girlfriend an Mom. One more number , 123456789 , to claimed

  3. Samuel w.

    My husband supposed to get his first retirement payment on June 12,2019 because he was born April 5th, but when I check it on the 13th, it wasn’t there yet, we have minor kids who needs financial for their school, we live here in the Philippines, when we called ssa Manila, they said it will come early in June so we are kinda waiting so that we can use the money for school needs, thanks! I hope u can help!!

  4. Evelyn C.

    The way the SSA benefits are paid is atrocious. It should be a set date, not 2nd, 3rd Wednesday business. Sometimes it’s five weeks or longer between checks instead of four weeks. I should not have a monthly bill that has to be paid twice from the same check simply because of the way the SSA check is distributed. I am in better living conditions than a lot of recipients (no medical bills or prescription meds to buy). I still struggle unnecessarily because of the distribution dates. This needs to be changed and SSA recipients are not the ones who need to do the changing. It’s the distribution dates that need to change! You should get the check on the same date every month. This is just another way for the government to rip SSA recipients off. Instead of getting money every four weeks. From July to August 2019, it is five weeks between checks simply because of the way the dates fall. This happens several times in a year! Change it!

  5. Judy D.

    I have already set up my Social Security account. Is that all I had to do to start receiving my Social Security?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Judy. Thanks for your question. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when you are at least 61 years and 9 months of age and want your benefits to start in the next three months. For helpful information on how retiring early or later can affect your benefits, please visit here. You can also use our Online Retirement Estimator to get estimates of your future retirement benefits. Also, if you are approaching age 65, even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. When you are ready, you can complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. We hope this helps.

  6. Hilda J.

    the calendar presented through the following link is a 2018 calendar, not current year:
    “You can see a current schedule for Social Security and SSI benefit payments in an easy-to-read calendar.”

  7. Roberta T.

    I am having problems navigating your website. I am 75 years old and am not computer savvy. Please help me.

  8. Shirley A.

    I receive my SS payment on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, which does not work out very well for me. I really need it earlier, when all my Bill’s are due. Is there any way I can change it?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Shirley. No, you cannot change it. It is based on the birthday of the person on whose record you receive benefits. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!

  9. RANDY W.

    MY NAME IS RANDY WILLIAMS, I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME. I BELIEVES SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE ERRORS TO MY FIXED INCOME. I BELIEVES, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CHEATING ME OUT, OF FIXED INCOME AMOUNTS, I GOT THE RIGHTS TO CHECK MY INCOME AND THE RIGHTS TO KNOW HOW THEY CAME UP WITH THAT AMOUNTS TRUELY MY HOME # IS 843-664-9443

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Randy. For your security, 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, 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. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.

  10. Sharon H.

    How soon after SS application is completed online, do I start receiving benefits? Mine are payable on the third Wednesday. Today is the 1Oth of the month. Thanks.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Sharon. Thanks for your question. The length of time it takes to process a retirement application can vary depending on whether we need to verify documents or other personal information. If you would like to speak with someone regarding the status of your application, please call 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you, or you can contact your local office. We hope this helps.

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