- SSI is paid on the 1st of the month, or the business day before when the 1st is a weekend or holiday.
- Social Security and SSDI are paid on a Wednesday chosen by your birth date, or on the 3rd if you also get SSI or started benefits before May 1997.
- An early payment is next month’s money, not a bonus. Budget it to last.
How SSA sets the payment dates
| If you get… | You are paid on… |
|---|---|
| SSI only | The 1st of each month |
| Social Security or SSDI, born on the 1st–10th | The 2nd Wednesday |
| Social Security or SSDI, born on the 11th–20th | The 3rd Wednesday |
| Social Security or SSDI, born on the 21st–31st | The 4th Wednesday |
| Social Security that started before May 1997, or both SSI and Social Security | The 3rd of each month |
When a payment date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, SSA pays on the business day before. That is why some months have two SSI payments and others have none.
Payment dates: October 2026 to December 2027
| Benefit month | SSI | Paid on the 3rd | Born 1st–10th | Born 11th–20th | Born 21st–31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | Thu, Oct 1 | Fri, Oct 2 | Wed, Oct 14 | Wed, Oct 21 | Wed, Oct 28 |
| November 2026 | Fri, Oct 30 | Tue, Nov 3 | Tue, Nov 10 | Wed, Nov 18 | Wed, Nov 25 |
| December 2026 | Tue, Dec 1 | Thu, Dec 3 | Wed, Dec 9 | Wed, Dec 16 | Wed, Dec 23 |
| January 2027 | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Wed, Jan 13 | Wed, Jan 20 | Wed, Jan 27 |
| February 2027 | Mon, Feb 1 | Wed, Feb 3 | Wed, Feb 10 | Wed, Feb 17 | Wed, Feb 24 |
| March 2027 | Mon, Mar 1 | Wed, Mar 3 | Wed, Mar 10 | Wed, Mar 17 | Wed, Mar 24 |
| April 2027 | Thu, Apr 1 | Fri, Apr 2 | Wed, Apr 14 | Wed, Apr 21 | Wed, Apr 28 |
| May 2027 | Fri, Apr 30 | Mon, May 3 | Wed, May 12 | Wed, May 19 | Wed, May 26 |
| June 2027 | Tue, Jun 1 | Thu, Jun 3 | Wed, Jun 9 | Wed, Jun 16 | Wed, Jun 23 |
| July 2027 | Thu, Jul 1 | Fri, Jul 2 | Wed, Jul 14 | Wed, Jul 21 | Wed, Jul 28 |
| August 2027 | Fri, Jul 30 | Tue, Aug 3 | Wed, Aug 11 | Wed, Aug 18 | Wed, Aug 25 |
| September 2027 | Wed, Sep 1 | Fri, Sep 3 | Wed, Sep 8 | Wed, Sep 15 | Wed, Sep 22 |
| October 2027 | Fri, Oct 1 | Fri, Oct 1 | Wed, Oct 13 | Wed, Oct 20 | Wed, Oct 27 |
| November 2027 | Mon, Nov 1 | Wed, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 10 | Wed, Nov 17 | Wed, Nov 24 |
| December 2027 | Wed, Dec 1 | Fri, Dec 3 | Wed, Dec 8 | Wed, Dec 15 | Wed, Dec 22 |
Dates follow SSA's published rules and federal holidays. Always confirm with SSA's official payment calendar or your my Social Security account.
Months when SSI comes early
- November 2026 SSI arrives Friday, October 30, 2026 (November 1 is a Sunday). That means October 2026 has two SSI deposits and November has none.
- January 2027 SSI arrives Thursday, December 31, 2026 (January 1 is New Year’s Day).
- May 2027 SSI arrives Friday, April 30, 2027.
- August 2027 SSI arrives Friday, July 30, 2027.
- November 2026 Wednesday payment for birthdays on the 1st–10th moves to Tuesday, November 10, because November 11 is Veterans Day.
An early deposit has to cover the whole following month. The weeks after a double-payment month are when many people run short and reach for an expensive payday loan. If that happens to you, look at your emergency options first.
When the money shows up on Direct Express
For Direct Express® cardholders, the cardholder terms say funds are usually available the same business day the bank receives them from the paying agency. Bank and credit union accounts normally post federal benefits on the payment date too, though some banks make them available a little earlier.
What to do if a payment is late
- Allow three extra days after the scheduled date. SSA asks people to wait that long before reporting a missing payment.
- Check your my Social Security account or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
- If you receive SSI and the payment is missing and you cannot pay for food, shelter or medical care, ask your local office about an immediate payment (up to $999, taken back from later benefits).
Tried the free options first?If you still need a small short-term loan, you can send one request to our lender network. Compare the cost carefully.
See loan optionsFrequently asked questions
Why did I get two SSI payments in one month?
When the 1st of a month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA pays SSI on the business day before, which can be in the previous month. The second payment is for the following month, so it has to last until the next 1st.
When will I get my SSDI payment?
If your SSDI started after May 1997 and you do not get SSI, it is paid on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday depending on whether your birthday falls on the 1st–10th, 11th–20th or 21st–31st.
Is the January 2027 SSI payment early?
Yes. January 1, 2027 is a federal holiday, so January SSI is paid on Thursday, December 31, 2026.
Does the payment date change if I use Direct Express?
No. The date is set by SSA. Direct Express funds are usually available the same business day they are received.