Social Security Payment Schedule

You should expect your first Social Security payment a month after its due. It’s your job to notify the Social Security Administration when you want to start receiving payments. For example, if you request for your Social Security benefits to start in February, you will receive your first payment in March.

You will receive your Social Security payment on one of three Wednesdays. Your date of birth determines which Wednesday you’ll receive your payment.

For example, if you were born on July 1, you will receive your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of each month.

The payment schedule is the same for retirement, survivors and disability benefits. However, it’s important to note that if you’re receiving benefits on behalf of another individual, the payment schedule is based on their date of birth — not yours. For example, if you are collecting survivor’s benefits due to your spouse recently passing away, your date of birth would not determine when you get benefits.

Below is a table breaking down the entire payment schedule for 2023. Be aware of some exceptions for different payment dates, like with Supplemental Security Income (SSI). With SSI, the Wednesday rule doesn’t apply. Instead, you’ll receive your SSI payments on the 1st of each month.

While most receive payments based on the schedule above, there are a few exceptions. If you collect SSI, how your Medicaid premiums are paid and when you started receiving benefits could shift your payment date.

There are also different exceptions if you’re a U.S. citizen living abroad. The Social Security Administration has a list of countries that you can and cannot receive Social Security payments in.

The Federal law mandates that your Social Security payment must be received electronically. There are two ways you can receive your Social Security payment electronically — to your bank account through direct deposit or onto a Direct Express Debit Mastercard.

With direct deposit and the Direct Express Debit Mastercard, your benefit will go directly in your bank account automatically each month.

Over 4.5 million individuals use the Direct Express Debit Mastercard. Since its launch in 2008, the Direct Express card has become one of the largest government prepaid card programs for federal benefit beneficiaries. The debit card works anywhere that accepts Debit Mastercard and can be used to get cash at ATMs and grocery stores.

While late payments aren’t as common since Social Security switched to electronic transfers, delays can still happen. There are three common scenarios that can cause a late payment.

If your Social Security payment is late, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call the Social Security Administration’s TTY line at 1-800-325-0778.

The Social Security Administration recommends waiting at least three days before contacting them. If you still haven’t received your delayed payment after the three days have passed — contact them immediately. They will be able to update any information and confirm if your Social Security office is experiencing a delay.

Several key changes were made to Social Security this year, which may impact your benefits. The biggest change by far was the 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to your benefit. Your benefit should increase by $140 at minimum in 2023, according to the Social Security Administration.