SSI vs. Social Security Payment Dates: Why the Schedules Differ
A plain-English map of first-of-month, third-of-month, and Wednesday payment schedules.
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SSI usually pays on the first
Supplemental Security Income normally follows a first-of-month schedule. If the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA's calendar generally moves the payment to the preceding business day.
Social Security commonly uses Wednesdays
For many retirement, survivor, and disability beneficiaries, birthdays from the 1st through 10th map to the second Wednesday, the 11th through 20th to the third Wednesday, and the 21st through 31st to the fourth Wednesday.
Why some people use the third
People who started receiving Social Security before May 1997 and certain people receiving both SSI and Social Security follow separate schedule categories. The annual SSA calendar shows those dates directly.
Official evidence Social Security Administration · as of 2026-08-30Find the applicable dates
Use the payment-date tool to select the applicable program and rule, then compare the result with the official annual calendar.
General information only. Confirm personal benefit details with SSA or your my Social Security account.