SSDI Payment Schedule 2026
Every 2026 payment date from the official Social Security calendar — by birth-date group, with the holiday shifts marked. Born 1st–10th: second Wednesday. 11th–20th: third Wednesday. 21st–31st: fourth Wednesday. Benefits since before May 1997 (or SSDI + SSI): the 3rd of the month.
| Month | Born 1–10 | Born 11–20 | Born 21–31 | Pre-1997 / SSDI+SSI | SSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January3rd falls on a Saturday → paid Jan 2; SSI paid Dec 31 (New Year's Day) | Jan 14 | Jan 21 | Jan 28 | Jan 2 | Dec 31, 2025 |
| FebruarySSI paid Jan 30 (Feb 1 is a Sunday) | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Feb 25 | Feb 3 | Jan 30 |
| MarchSSI paid Feb 27 (Mar 1 is a Sunday) | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | Mar 25 | Mar 3 | Feb 27 |
| April | Apr 8 | Apr 15 | Apr 22 | Apr 3 | Apr 1 |
| May3rd falls on a Sunday → paid May 1 | May 13 | May 20 | May 27 | May 1 | May 1 |
| June | Jun 10 | Jun 17 | Jun 24 | Jun 3 | Jun 1 |
| JulyJul 3 is the observed July 4th holiday → paid Jul 2 | Jul 8 | Jul 15 | Jul 22 | Jul 2 | Jul 1 |
| AugustSSI paid Jul 31 (Aug 1 is a Saturday) | Aug 12 | Aug 19 | Aug 26 | Aug 3 | Jul 31 |
| September | Sep 9 | Sep 16 | Sep 23 | Sep 3 | Sep 1 |
| October3rd falls on a Saturday → paid Oct 2 | Oct 14 | Oct 21 | Oct 28 | Oct 2 | Oct 1 |
| NovemberSecond Wednesday is Veterans Day → paid Nov 10; SSI paid Oct 30 (Nov 1 is a Sunday) | Nov 10 | Nov 18 | Nov 25 | Nov 3 | Oct 30 |
| December | Dec 9 | Dec 16 | Dec 23 | Dec 3 | Dec 1 |
Source: SSA, Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2026 (EN-05-10031). Dates falling on weekends or federal holidays are paid the preceding business day.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Wednesday do I get paid?
It depends on your birth date: born on the 1st–10th, you are paid the second Wednesday of each month; the 11th–20th, the third Wednesday; the 21st–31st, the fourth Wednesday. Two exceptions: if you started receiving Social Security before May 1997, or you receive both Social Security and SSI, you are paid on the 3rd of the month instead.
Why is the November 2026 payment early?
The second Wednesday of November 2026 is November 11 — Veterans Day, a federal holiday. Payments scheduled for a weekend or federal holiday move to the preceding business day, so the second-Wednesday group is paid Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Why did I get two SSI payments in one month?
When the 1st of a month falls on a weekend or holiday, SSI pays on the last business day of the prior month. In 2026 that happens for January (paid Dec 31), February (Jan 30), March (Feb 27), August (Jul 31), and November (Oct 30) — it is the next month's payment arriving early, not extra money.
How much did SSDI payments increase in 2026?
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%, announced by SSA in October 2025 and applied to benefits payable from January 2026. The maximum benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age rose to $4,152/month.
My payment didn't arrive on the scheduled date — what should I do?
SSA asks that you wait three additional mailing days before calling. Check with your bank first (deposits can post late in the day), then contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213. If your payments stopped because of a medical review or overpayment issue, that is a different problem — and one where representation can matter.
I applied for SSDI — how long until I get a decision and payments?
Initial decisions commonly take several months, and most initial applications are denied. Appeals — where most approvals ultimately happen — add months more. If you are approved, SSDI pays benefits back to your entitlement date, which is why denied applicants who push through appeals often receive substantial back pay.