We made it through the first week of October. People who have received Social Security benefits since before May 1997, or those who receive both Social Security and SSI, should have already received a check. And the second round of payments will start just around the corner. A few short days.
When you receive your check depends on how long you've been receiving benefits, if you're receiving multiple Social Security benefits, or what day of the month you were born. Let me explain. Below is the complete payment schedule for October 2024 and some questions about benefits. If you're still waiting for your September check, find out what to do if your Social Security payment is missing.
Read below to learn if you can receive a check this week and how your payment date is determined by the Social Security Administration and other government benefit payment dates. For more information, don't miss our Social Security and SSDI cheat sheets and how to apply for Supplemental Security Income.
When will I receive my Social Security check?
Want to know what day your check will arrive each month? Here's the Social Security and SSDI payment schedule for October:
Social Security Payment Schedule for October 2024
| If you received Social Security benefits before May 1997 | October 3rd |
|---|---|
| If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th of each month | October 9th |
| If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th of each month | October 16th |
| If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st of each month | October 23rd |
How is the Social Security payment date determined?
Social Security payments are typically paid out on the second Wednesday of each month. The remaining two payments will be made on the next two Wednesdays of each month. Which week you receive your payment depends on your date of birth. There is one major exception. This is explained below.
| date of birth: | social security check date |
|---|---|
| 1st and 10th place | 2nd Wednesday of every month |
| 11th and 20th | 3rd Wednesday of every month |
| 21st and 31st | 4th Wednesday of every month |
Can I receive other government benefits on the same day?
If you received Social Security benefits before May 1997, or if you received both Social Security income and Supplemental Security Income, your payment schedule is not determined by your date of birth. Instead, payments will be paid on the same day each month, with some exceptions described below.
Social Security payments are sent on the 3rd of each month, and SSI payments are sent on the 1st of each month. These dates may change if the 1st or 3rd of each month falls on a weekend or holiday. For example, because March 3rd was a weekend, Social Security recipients received their March payments on March 1st, two days earlier. The same thing will happen in November.
The only benefits that are paid on the same schedule are Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance.
Didn't receive your Social Security check? Start here.
If your check doesn't arrive on time or at all, the Social Security Administration recommends waiting three more days to mail it before contacting you. Then call our national toll-free number 1-800-772-1213.
SSA notes that “wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month.”
If you have difficulty obtaining SSA from your domestic number, you can use an SSA phone number. Office locator to find your local office To reach out.
For more information, see How to Apply for Social Security Benefits for Eligible Children and How to Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance.
