Reviewed for accuracy against the official SSA 2026 payment schedule (Pub. No. 05-10031) · Last reviewed: June 2026
Your Social Security payment date comes down to one thing: your date of birth. If your benefits started after May 1997, you’re paid on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on the day you were born. SSI works differently — it arrives on the 1st. This page lays out every 2026 payment date for retirement, SSDI, and SSI in one place, flags the months a holiday moves your date, and shows you the months you’ll receive two SSI payments. Bookmark it — the dates table below covers the whole year, and the “this month” box is updated every month.
This month’s Social Security payments
June 2026:
- Born 1st–10th: Wednesday, June 10
- Born 11th–20th: Wednesday, June 17
- Born 21st–31st: Wednesday, June 24
- Benefits started before May 1997 (or you get Social Security + SSI): Wednesday, June 3
- SSI: Monday, June 1
Looking ahead: July 2026 brings two SSI payments — July 1 and July 31 (the July 31 deposit is August’s SSI, paid early because August 1 is a Saturday). The full year is in the tables below.
2026 Social Security payment schedule by birth date
For everyone who started Social Security (retirement, survivors, or SSDI) after April 1997, payments follow your birth date. There’s no application or choice involved — SSA assigns your date automatically:
| Your birth date | You’re paid on |
|---|---|
| 1st – 10th | The second Wednesday of each month |
| 11th – 20th | The third Wednesday of each month |
| 21st – 31st | The fourth Wednesday of each month |
Here are the exact 2026 dates:
| Month | Born 1st–10th | Born 11th–20th | Born 21st–31st |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 14 | Jan 21 | Jan 28 |
| February | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Feb 25 |
| March | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | Mar 25 |
| April | Apr 8 | Apr 15 | Apr 22 |
| May | May 13 | May 20 | May 27 |
| June | Jun 10 | Jun 17 | Jun 24 |
| July | Jul 8 | Jul 15 | Jul 22 |
| August | Aug 12 | Aug 19 | Aug 26 |
| September | Sep 9 | Sep 16 | Sep 23 |
| October | Oct 14 | Oct 21 | Oct 28 |
| November | Nov 11* | Nov 18 | Nov 25 |
| December | Dec 9 | Dec 16 | Dec 23 |
*November 11 is Veterans Day, a federal holiday. The payment date is still the second Wednesday, but if your bank is closed for the holiday your deposit may post on Tuesday, November 10.
Born 1st–10th
You’re paid the second Wednesday every month — for example, July 8 and August 12, 2026. This is the earliest of the three birthday groups.
Born 11th–20th
You’re paid the third Wednesday — July 15 and August 19, 2026, and so on down the table.
Born 21st–31st
You’re paid the fourth Wednesday — July 22 and August 26, 2026. This is the latest group, usually about two weeks after the 1st–10th group.
If you started benefits before May 1997
Long-time beneficiaries are paid on the 3rd of the month, not by birthday. When the 3rd lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment moves to the business day before:
| Month | Payment date | Month | Payment date |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 2 (3rd is a Saturday) | July | Jul 2 (3rd is the holiday) |
| February | Feb 3 | August | Aug 3 |
| March | Mar 3 | September | Sep 3 |
| April | Apr 3 | October | Oct 2 (3rd is a Saturday) |
| May | May 1 (3rd is a Sunday) | November | Nov 3 |
| June | Jun 3 | December | Dec 3 |
The same schedule applies if you receive both Social Security and SSI.
2026 SSI payment dates
Supplemental Security Income is paid on the 1st of each month. When the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA pays it on the last business day before — which means that payment lands in the previous month. Here’s the full 2026 schedule by benefit month:
| SSI for the month of | Payment date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Early — January 1 is a holiday |
| February | Jan 30, 2026 | Early — February 1 is a Sunday |
| March | Feb 27, 2026 | Early — March 1 is a Sunday |
| April | Apr 1, 2026 | |
| May | May 1, 2026 | |
| June | Jun 1, 2026 | |
| July | Jul 1, 2026 | |
| August | Jul 31, 2026 | Early — August 1 is a Saturday |
| September | Sep 1, 2026 | |
| October | Oct 1, 2026 | |
| November | Oct 30, 2026 | Early — November 1 is a Sunday |
| December | Dec 1, 2026 |
Why some months have two SSI payments
When next month’s payment is pushed earlier into the current month, you receive two SSI deposits in the same calendar month — and then no deposit in the month that was paid ahead. It’s not a bonus or a mistake: the second deposit is simply next month’s benefit arriving early.
2026 double-payment months
You’ll receive two SSI payments in these 2026 months:
- July: July 1 and July 31 (July 31 is August’s payment)
- October: October 1 and October 30 (October 30 is November’s payment)
- December: December 1 and December 31 (December 31 is January 2027’s payment)
Because those payments came early, there is no SSI deposit in August or November 2026, and your January 2027 payment arrives on December 31, 2026.
2026 SSDI payment dates
Social Security Disability Insurance follows the same birthday schedule as retirement benefits — the second, third, or fourth Wednesday based on your date of birth. Use the main table above: if you were born on the 14th, for example, you’re paid the third Wednesday (July 15, August 19, and so on).
The pre-1997 exception
If your disability benefits began before May 1997, you’re paid on the 3rd of the month instead (see the pre-1997 table above), with the same weekend-and-holiday adjustments.
Getting SSDI and SSI together
If you receive both SSDI and SSI, your SSDI is paid on the 3rd and your SSI on the 1st — two separate deposits on two different dates each month.
Holiday & weekend adjustments
This is where most payment-date pages go wrong, so it’s worth being exact.
The rule
If your scheduled payment date is a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, SSA issues the payment on the business day before. For SSI (paid on the 1st), that can push the deposit into the previous month.
2026 federal holidays that affect payments
| Holiday | 2026 date | Effect on payments |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | January SSI paid early, Dec 31, 2025 |
| Independence Day (observed) | Fri, Jul 3 | The “3rd of the month” payment moves to Thu, Jul 2 |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Falls on the second-Wednesday payment date; deposit may post Tue, Nov 10 if your bank is closed |
Weekend shifts also move several dates: the 3rd-of-month payment is early in January (Jan 2), May (May 1), and October (Oct 2), and SSI is paid early for February, March, August, and November (see the SSI table).
How your payment is delivered
Social Security and SSI are paid electronically — paper checks have been phased out for almost everyone. You have two options.
Direct deposit
Payments go straight into your checking or savings account on your scheduled date, usually by the start of the business day. You can set up or change your direct deposit through your my Social Security account, by phone, or at your bank.
Direct Express card
If you don’t have a bank account, payments can load onto a Direct Express prepaid debit card. It’s free to enroll and works anywhere debit cards are accepted. SSA and the U.S. Treasury will never call, text, or email asking for your card number — treat any such request as a scam.
What to do if your payment is late
The three-mailing-day rule
SSA asks you to wait three additional mailing days after your expected date before reporting a missing payment. Deposits can be delayed by a bank holiday or a processing lag, and most arrive within that window.
How to contact SSA
If your payment still hasn’t arrived after three business days, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or your local office. Have your Social Security number and bank details ready.
How much will your payment be in 2026?
Every payment above reflects the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect in January 2026. On average:
- The average retired-worker benefit is about $2,071 a month.
- The maximum benefit is $4,152 at full retirement age and $5,181 if you wait until age 70.
- The SSI federal maximum is $994 for an individual and $1,491 for a couple.
For the full SSI breakdown — including how other income reduces your payment — see our SSI payment amounts 2026 guide.
Your own amount depends on your earnings history and the age you claimed.
Frequently asked questions
What day will I get my Social Security check?
If you started benefits after May 1997, it’s the second Wednesday (born 1st–10th), third Wednesday (11th–20th), or fourth Wednesday (21st–31st). If you started before May 1997, it’s the 3rd of the month.
Why are there three different Social Security payment dates?
SSA spreads payments across three Wednesdays by birth date to manage the volume of monthly benefits — it’s automatic and based only on your date of birth.
What day is SSI paid?
On the 1st of the month, or the business day before if the 1st is a weekend or federal holiday.
Why do some months have two SSI payments?
When the next month’s 1st is a weekend or holiday, that payment is issued early — landing in the current month. In 2026 that happens in July, October, and December.
Are payments sent early for holidays?
Yes. If your date is a weekend or federal holiday, you’re paid the business day before. Payments are never delayed by a holiday.
Can I get Social Security and SSI in the same month?
Yes. If you qualify for both, your Social Security is paid on the 3rd and your SSI on the 1st — two separate deposits.
What time does direct deposit post?
Most deposits are available by the morning of your payment date, though the exact time depends on your bank.
Does SSDI pay on the same days as retirement?
Yes — SSDI follows the same birthday-based Wednesday schedule (or the 3rd, if your benefits began before May 1997).
What if my payment is late or missing?
Wait three additional mailing days, then contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
How much did payments go up in 2026?
Benefits rose 2.8% under the 2026 COLA, which has been reflected in payments since January 2026.
Related guide
Looking for benefit amounts? See SSI payment amounts 2026 for the 2026 federal rates and how income affects your check.
Update notice: This calendar is updated at the start of each month and reviewed in full each fall when SSA releases the following year’s schedule.
How we verified this page: Every date was checked against the Social Security Administration’s official 2026 payment schedule (Publication No. 05-10031) and the federal holiday calendar. Figures are reviewed by a human editor before publishing and updated whenever SSA changes them.
The Guru Gazette is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Social Security Administration. This page provides general information, not financial or benefits advice — always confirm your dates and amounts with SSA.
Sources
- Social Security Administration — Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2026 (Publication No. 05-10031): https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2026.pdf
- Social Security Administration — Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment dates / Understanding SSI: https://www.ssa.gov
- Social Security Administration — Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information (2026, 2.8%): https://www.ssa.gov/cola/
- Social Security Administration — If you don’t receive your payment (three-mailing-day rule): https://www.ssa.gov
- U.S. Treasury / Go Direct — Direct Express card: https://www.godirect.gov
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — 2026 Federal Holidays: https://www.opm.gov
Related 2026 guides
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