Millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits each month to cover essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare. But not every beneficiary will receive a payment on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
Understanding the Social Security payment schedule is key to knowing when to expect your deposit — and why some recipients will not see funds arrive this week.
Here’s what to know.
Who Gets Paid on Feb. 25?
The Wednesday, Feb. 25 payment date applies only to certain beneficiaries under the Social Security Administration’s staggered payment system.
The Social Security Administration distributes retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits based on a recipient’s date of birth:
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Birthdays on the 1st–10th → Paid Feb. 11 (second Wednesday)
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Birthdays on the 11th–20th → Paid Feb. 18 (third Wednesday)
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Birthdays on the 21st–31st → Paid Feb. 25 (fourth Wednesday)
That means only beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of any month will receive their regularly scheduled payment on Feb. 25.
Who Will NOT Receive a Payment on Feb. 25?
Several groups will not see a Social Security deposit on Wednesday:
1. Beneficiaries Born Between the 1st and 20th
If your birthday falls between the 1st and 20th of the month, your February payment has already been issued earlier this month.
2. SSI-Only Recipients
Those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) follow a different payment schedule.
SSI payments are typically sent on the first of each month. However, because March 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday, the March SSI payment will be issued early — on Friday, Feb. 27.
This means:
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SSI recipients will NOT receive a payment on Feb. 25.
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There will be no SSI payment issued in March, since it arrives at the end of February.
3. Beneficiaries Who Started Receiving Benefits Before May 1997
Individuals who began collecting Social Security before May 1997, or who receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, are generally paid on the 3rd of each month (or earlier if that date falls on a weekend or holiday).
For February 2026, those payments were issued on Feb. 3.
Why Social Security Uses a Staggered Payment Schedule
The SSA implemented a staggered Wednesday payment system in the late 1990s to manage processing volume more efficiently.
Rather than issuing all payments on the same day, benefits are distributed across multiple Wednesdays based on birth dates. This helps reduce administrative strain and ensures smoother electronic deposits nationwide.
Today, the vast majority of beneficiaries receive payments via direct deposit.
What to Do If Your Payment Is Missing
If you were expecting a payment on Feb. 25 and do not receive it:
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Wait at least three business days.
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Check your bank account or Direct Express card.
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Log into your “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov.
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Contact the SSA directly if the payment does not appear.
The agency advises recipients not to report a missing payment until three mailing days have passed.
The Bottom Line
Not receiving a Social Security payment on Feb. 25 does not mean your benefits were reduced or canceled. It simply means your scheduled payment date falls on a different day this month.
For February 2026:
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Only beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st are paid on Feb. 25.
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SSI recipients will receive their March benefit early on Feb. 27.
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Pre-1997 beneficiaries were paid on Feb. 3.
Understanding the schedule can help avoid confusion — especially for retirees and disabled Americans who depend on timely deposits each month.
