Will I Get My Social Security Check on the 3rd Month? 2026 Payment Schedule
Social Security payments are issued according to a schedule set by the Social Security Administration.
For September 2026, the payment calendar includes dates throughout the month.
The date of a beneficiary’s payment is determined by specific Social Security scheduling rules.
Who Gets Social Security on the 3rd?
Beneficiaries in two special categories receive their Social Security payment on the 3rd of the month:
- Those who first received Social Security benefits before May 1997, and
- Those who receive both Social Security and SSI.
All other Social Security beneficiaries follow the Wednesday-by-birthdate schedule.
If you’re paid on the 3rd, your payment may arrive earlier if the 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
When Will Social Security Be Paid If the 3rd Falls on a Weekend or Holiday?
If a scheduled payment date (Wednesday or the 1st/3rd) falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA makes the payment on the preceding business day.
| If the 3rd falls on… | You’ll generally be paid on… |
|---|---|
| Monday | Monday, the 3rd |
| Saturday | Friday, the 1st |
| Sunday | Friday, the 2nd |
| Federal holiday | The previous non-holiday business day |
If the scheduled payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the payment is generally moved to the previous business day. For example, if the 3rd falls on a weekend, the deposit would typically arrive on Friday.
Direct deposits are generally available at the start of the business day on the payment date. For paper checks, allow up to three additional mailing days for delivery.
So, you don’t lose a payment or have to wait longer, the payment is moved earlier.
Payment Schedule
Regular Social Security (Retirement/SSDI/Survivor) by Birthdate: The schedule is as follows:
- Born 1–10: Payment on the second Wednesday of each month.
- Born 11–20: Payment on the third Wednesday.
- Born 21–31: Payment on the fourth Wednesday.
The following table summarizes payment timing by category:
| Beneficiary / Program | Payment Date | Weekend / Holiday Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security — birth date 1–10 | 2nd Wednesday of each month | Paid on the preceding business day if the scheduled date is a weekend/holiday |
| Social Security — birth date 11–20 | 3rd Wednesday of each month | Paid on the preceding business day if the scheduled date is a weekend/holiday |
| Social Security — birth date 21–31 | 4th Wednesday of each month | Paid on the preceding business day if the scheduled date is a weekend/holiday |
| Social Security — certain beneficiaries paid on the 3rd | 3rd of each month | Paid on the preceding business day if the 3rd is a weekend/holiday |
| SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | 1st of each month | Paid on the preceding business day if the 1st is a weekend/holiday |
| Receive both Social Security & SSI | SSI: 1st; Social Security: 3rd | Each payment is moved to the preceding business day when necessary |
Note: Payment dates may be adjusted when the scheduled date falls on a weekend or federal holiday; beneficiaries should allow up to three additional mailing days if a payment does not arrive as expected.
What If My Social Security Payment Is Late?
If your payment is late and hasn’t arrived, here are the steps you should take.
Step 1. Check Your Scheduled Payment Date
Before assuming your payment is late, make sure you have the correct payment date.
Your Social Security payments are issued according to a specific schedule, and the date can vary depending on the type of benefit you receive.
Step 2. Check With Your Bank
If you receive your benefits through direct deposit and the payment hasn’t arrived on the scheduled date, contact your bank or financial institution first.
The bank may be experiencing a delay in posting the payment.
Step 3. Contact Social Security
If your bank confirms that no payment was received, contact Social Security at:
ssa.gov
1-800-325-0778
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support
1100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
If Social Security determines that the payment is due, the agency will take steps to replace the missing payment.
Step 4. Wait Before Reporting a Missing Paper Check
If you receive a paper check, wait three workdays after the check is normally delivered before reporting it as missing.
If the check still hasn’t arrived, contact Social Security.
And if you believe the check was lost, stolen, destroyed, or forged, report the situation promptly.
Social Security Payment Schedule FAQ
Direct deposits typically arrive on the scheduled payment date, often early in the morning.
No, new Social Security payments are generally not issued by paper check, and existing paper checks have been largely phased out in favor of direct deposit or Direct Express.
Your payment follows the same schedule, but the funds are deposited into your representative payee’s account.
Benefits end in the month of death, and any payment for that month must be returned to the Social Security Administration.
Payments are generally made on the preceding business day when the scheduled payment date falls on a federal holiday.
You can check scheduled and past payments through your my Social Security account or by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
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