Quick answer. In August 2026, Social Security retirement, survivor and disability payments on the birth-date schedule arrive August 12, 19 or 26. People on the pre-May 1997/combined Social Security-and-SSI schedule are paid August 3. The SSI payment for August arrives Friday, July 31 because August 1 is a Saturday.
Key takeaways
- Birth date 1st–10th: Wednesday, August 12.
- Birth date 11th–20th: Wednesday, August 19.
- Birth date 21st–31st: Wednesday, August 26.
- Pre-May 1997 or combined Social Security and SSI schedule: Monday, August 3.
- August SSI: Friday, July 31; it is an early August payment, not an extra payment.
August 2026 payment calendar
| Payment group | August 2026 payment date |
|---|---|
| Birth date 1st–10th | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 |
| Birth date 11th–20th | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 |
| Birth date 21st–31st | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| Benefits started before May 1997, or both Social Security and SSI | Monday, August 3, 2026 |
| SSI payment for August | Friday, July 31, 2026 |
The dates follow SSA’s official 2026–2027 benefit-payment calendar. The birth-date schedule assigns the second Wednesday to birthdays on the 1st–10th, the third Wednesday to the 11th–20th and the fourth Wednesday to the 21st–31st. Open SSA’s one-page 2026–2027 payment calendar.
Why August SSI arrives in July
SSA states that when a scheduled payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, payment is made on the business day before the due date. August 1, 2026 is a Saturday, so the August SSI payment moves to Friday, July 31. The timing does not create an extra payment; budget it for August expenses. See SSA’s weekend-and-holiday payment rule.
If the payment is missing
SSA’s current instruction for a missing electronic payment is to contact the bank or financial institution first because posting may be delayed. If the payment is still late, missing or stolen, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact a local Social Security office. The prior version of this article told every reader to wait three business days; that blanket instruction has been removed because it is not SSA’s current electronic-payment guidance. Read SSA’s missing-payment steps.
Planning for the early SSI deposit
- Label the July 31 deposit as August income in your budget.
- Check the account before scheduling an urgent payment; banks can post at different times.
- Keep the SSA calendar and your benefit notice together.
- Use your personal SSA account or benefit notice if your payment group is unclear.
Related guides
- Full Social Security payment calendar
- SSI payment schedule for 2026
- Direct deposit and Direct Express
- Social Security 2026 guide
Official sources
- SSA — Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2026–2027
- SSA — Weekend or holiday payment dates
- SSA — How to report a missing payment
Source review: SSA calendar and FAQ pages checked July 27, 2026. The Guru Gazette is independent and is not affiliated with SSA. General information only; not financial or benefits advice. Editorial status: This guide has been checked against the cited official sources. Independent subject-matter review has not been completed.