Social Security payments typically occur on the third of each month, as well as on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month. Your birth date typically determines your particular Social Security payment date. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments occur on the first of each month.
If you receive benefits based on someone else’s work record (spousal benefits, for example, or survivors benefits), your payment date is based on the primary beneficiary’s birthday instead of yours.
What day is my August 2026 payment coming?
July 31: If you receive SSI, your August payment should arrive on this day (because August 1 is a Saturday).
August 3: You’ll receive a Social Security payment if:
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You live outside the U.S.
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You receive both SSI and Social Security benefits.
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Your state pays your Medicare premiums.
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You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997.
August 12: If your birthday falls on any day from the first to the 10th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
August 19: If your birthday falls on any day from the 11th to the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday of the month.
August 26: If your birthday falls after the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
What day is my September 2026 payment coming?
September 1: If you receive SSI, your payment should arrive on this day.
September 3: You’ll receive a Social Security payment if:
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You live outside the U.S.
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You receive both SSI and Social Security benefits.
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Your state pays your Medicare premiums.
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You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997.
September 9: If your birthday falls on any day from the first to the 10th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
September 16: If your birthday falls on any day from the 11th to the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday of the month.
September 23: If your birthday falls after the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
The Social Security payment schedule follows this pattern
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First day of each month. Supplemental Security Income payments come on the first of each month.
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Third day of each month. If you live in a foreign country, receive SSI, have your Medicare premiums paid for by your state or if you filed for benefits before 1997, your Social Security retirement benefit payment arrives on the third of each month (or the previous weekday if the third is a weekend or holiday).
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Second Wednesday of each month. If your birthday is between the first and the 10th, expect your payment on the second Wednesday of each month.
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Third Wednesday of each month. If your birthday is between the 11th and the 20th, expect your payment on the third Wednesday of each month.
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Fourth Wednesday of each month. If your birthday falls after the 20th, expect your payment on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
What if my scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday?
You’ll receive your payment early if your payment date falls on a weekend or holiday. Such payments will be issued on the weekday immediately prior to your expected payment date
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Federal law states that Social Security benefits (and all other federal benefits) must be paid electronically through direct deposit to your bank account or onto a Direct Express Debit Mastercard — with only a few rare exceptions
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Although electronic payment should virtually eliminate the risk of lost or stolen funds, delays and other issues can still happen. That’s why it’s still important to know what to do if your Social Security payment doesn’t turn up when you expect it.
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If your electronic payment is late, reach out to your bank or financial institution first. The issue may be nothing more than a bank delay in posting payments to your account.
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If there hasn’t been a posting delay and your funds are genuinely missing, lost or stolen, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office. The Social Security Administration will review your case and track the missing payment.
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If you’re living in the United States and are one of the rare individuals still receiving paper checks, wait until three business days after your check is usually mailed before taking action. If your check still hasn’t arrived at that point, contact the Social Security Administration so your case can be reviewed — and if necessary, a replacement payment can be issued.
