The timing of Social Security checks depends primarily on the beneficiary's birth date and the type of benefits received.
- If receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), payment is made on the 1st of each month (or the preceding Friday if the 1st is a weekend).
- For Social Security retirement, disability, family, or survivor benefits filed after May 1, 1997, payments come on Wednesdays, based on your birthday:
- Birthdays 1st to 10th: Payment on the second Wednesday of the month
- Birthdays 11th to 20th: Payment on the third Wednesday of the month
- Birthdays 21st to 31st: Payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month
- If receiving benefits based on a record prior to May 1997, or both SSI and Social Security, or other exceptions like living outside the U.S., payments arrive on the 3rd of the month.
Payments are for the prior month’s benefits (e.g., October payment is for September benefits). If the scheduled payment day is a weekend or federal holiday, payments are made the preceding weekday. Starting Sept 30, 2025, Social Security checks are transitioning to electronic payments only; paper checks are being phased out for improved security and efficiency. To know the exact date of your payment, you should check your birth date against this schedule and remember that payments are typically received on the Wednesdays mentioned or on the 1st for SSI. If the payment does not arrive on time, contact your bank first for delays, then the Social Security Administration if needed. This schedule should help determine when you get your Social Security check each month based on your birth date and benefit type.
