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
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Mohamed M.
Just want to know how is not possible to open a social security Account if you’re living out of the United States. “It says you must have a US address”
Luis A.
Hi Mohamed. At this time, you must have a U.S. mailing address to create or access your online account. People with APO/FPO/DPO addresses can create an account overseas, but our system does not support registration and account creation for users with a foreign address yet. If you are living outside the United States, you can contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for assistance with Social Security questions. For information on Social Security benefit payments outside of the U.S., please see our publication titled “Your Payment While You Are Outside the United States.” We hope this information helps.
TIMOTHY M.
If a dependent child was added on the 20th if the month will they receive benefits for that month?
Luis A.
Hi Timothy. Please note that the dependent child need to be on the record for a full month before we can pay benefits. Also, please remember that the benefits are for the previous month and not the current month. Here is more information about benefits for your family. we hope this helps.
William H.
When do i get my direct deposit if it falls on a federal holiday, christmas for example
Luis A.
Hi William. When a payment date falls on a holiday, Saturday or Sunday, you will receive your benefits the workday before the holiday, Saturday or Sunday. Please take a look at our Schedule of Social Security Payments for more information. We hope this helps.
Sonja. J.
When will my sad check arrive? Today is Friday and a whole lot of weekend .
Cindy S.
In the month of April 2020 I will be going to the Social Security office where I live to apply for my full social security benefit. I will be applying online. Will I need to have a birth certificate with me? My birthday is **** *** ******. I will be 66 years old. When will I receive my first check?
Luis A.
Hi Cindy. Thanks for your question. You can file for your Social Security retirement benefits as early as four (4) months before the month of your birthday. You can do so by applying online. If you are applying for benefits online, you may not need a birth certificate. If you do not want to apply online, you may call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment and ask any further questions you may have. We hope this helps.
Tatiana D.
I get my benefits on the first of the month but the first of December lands on a Sunday. And also thanksgiving day is coming up. So when will I get my benefits?
Luis A.
Hi Tatiana. For future pay dates, you may find the schedule of Social Security benefit payment calendar useful. We hope this information helps.
V. w.
My sister dead on the 25th of the month. Her birthday was on the 18th of the month. Why was her last deposit taken back and yet some people get paid that should not get benefits?
Luis A.
Hi. We are sorry for your loss. Please note that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. For your sister to have been entitled to the benefits, she had to have lived the whole (complete) month. According to what you are telling us, unfortunately, she did not live until the first day of the following month, therefore, the payment for the month in which she died had to be returned. In some instances, the financial institution will automatically return payments upon notification of the beneficiary’s death. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by sending the deceased person’s death certificate to the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Christine R.
I received a social security deposit on 11/20/19 will I also get my next deposit which normally falls on the 3rd
Luis A.
Hi Christine. For pay dates, you may find the schedule of Social Security benefit payment calendar useful. We hope this helps!
rachel f.
I never knew that social security payment varies depending on the month you were born; for example, if you were born on the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the Wednesday fourth of the month. I’ve been wanting to get an SSS for my mother just in case she’ll retire from her job. Thank you for this; I guess it’s also smart if I’ll hire an SSS attorney, so we’ll have legal advice by the time that we decide to claim the money.https://www.sartainlaw.com/social-security
Mary J.
Is there any way my payment date can be changed to the 3rd of the month. It would certainly help us financially. If I need to talk to a representative, please call me.
Luis A.
Hi Mary. Please note that claims filed on or after May 1, 1997, benefit payments are based on the date of birth. If your date of birth is between the 1st and the 10th of the month, then your benefit payment date is the second Wednesday of the month; if your date of birth is between the 11th and the 20th of the month, then your benefit payment date is the third Wednesday of the month; if your date of birth is between the 21st and the 31st of the month, then your benefit payment date is the fourth Wednesday of the month. You may find the schedule of Social Security benefit payment calendar useful. To report a missing payment, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 100-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.