Social Security benefits provide critical income to millions of Americans, including people with disabilities, retirees and recipients of needs-based supplemental income. Knowing exactly when your benefits will be issued can help you plan your expenses and identify payment issues as they arise.
Below is a complete breakdown of the Social Security payment schedule for 2026, including monthly payment dates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), retirement benefits, and Supplemental Security Income. This guide also explains how weekends, holidays, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) may affect your payments throughout the year.
If you’re looking for last year’s payment dates, you can also view the Social Security payment schedule for 2025.
Table of Contents
What Is the Social Security Payment Schedule for 2026?
The Social Security Administration staggers Social Security benefits payments by the birthdate of the recipient. People born from the 1st to the 10th of any month will get their benefits paid on the second Wednesday. Anyone born from the 11th to the 20th of the month will receive their benefits on the third Wednesday. Finally, anyone born from the 21st to the 31st of the month will receive their payments on the fourth Wednesday. This payment schedule applies to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and retirement benefits, but not to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which follows a separate schedule.
However, exceptions exist. If your payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the Social Security Administration will deliver payment on the preceding business day. This same exception applies to SSI payments, which has a different payment schedule.
Here is a breakdown of the Social Security payment schedule for 2026:
Month of Payment | Birthdate: 1st-10th | Birthdate: 11th-20th | Birthdate: 21st-31st |
January | Jan 14, 2026 | Jan 21, 2026 | Jan 28, 2026 |
February | Feb 11, 2026 | Feb 18, 2026 | Feb 25, 2026 |
March | March 11, 2026 | March 18, 2026 | March 25, 2026 |
April | April 8, 2026 | April 15, 2026 | April 22, 2026 |
May | May 13, 2026 | May 20, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
June | June 10, 2026 | June 17, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
July | July 8, 2026 | July 15, 2026 | July 22, 2026 |
August | Aug 12, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 |
September | Sept. 9, 2026 | Sept. 16, 2026 | Sept. 23, 2026 |
October | Oct. 14, 2026 | Oct. 21, 2026 | Oct. 28, 2026 |
November | Nov 10, 2026 | Nov. 18, 2026 | Nov. 25, 2026 |
December | Dec. 9, 2026 | Dec. 16, 2026 | Dec. 23, 2026 |
Payment Schedules for Supplemental Security Income Recipients in 2026
Recipients of Supplemental Security Income typically receive their payments earlier in the month than do recipients of other Social Security benefits. If you only receive Supplemental Security Income, your payments will typically arrive on the first of each month. If you received Social Security before May 1997 or if you are receiving both Social Security and SSI, you can typically expect Social Security to be paid on the 3rd of each month, and SSI on the 1st.
Why Some SSI Recipients Receive Two Payments in One Month
Weekends and holidays can push the payment dates earlier for SSI recipients. If you find that you are receiving two SSI payments in a single month, it is likely that the later payment was pushed earlier due to a weekend or holiday.
Here is a breakdown of the Supplemental Security Income payment schedules for 2026:
Payment Schedule | Dual Social Security and SSI Recipients | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Only |
January | January 2nd, 2026 | December 31st, 2025 |
February | February 3rd, 2026 | January 30th, 2026 |
March | March 3rd, 2026 | February 27th, 2026 |
April | April 3rd, 2026 | April 1st, 2026 |
May | May 1st, 2026 | May 1st, 2026 |
June | June 3rd, 2026 | June 1st, 2026 |
July | July 2nd, 2026 | July 1st, 2026 |
August | August 3rd, 2026 | July 31st, 2026 |
September | September 3rd, 2026 | September 1st, 2026 |
October | October 2nd, 2026 | October 1st, 2026 |
November | November 3rd, 2026 | October 30th, 2026 |
December | December 3rd, 2026 | December 1st, 2026 |
How the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Affects Social Security Benefits
Every year, the Social Security Administration makes an inflation-based adjustment called the Cost-of-Living adjustment, which it determines based on the increase of the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the past two years. For example, the 2026 Social Security COLA adjustment is based on the increase in CPI from the 3rd quarter of 2024 to the 3rd quarter of 2025.
The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment has impacts on the tax rate of Social Security benefits, amounts considered exempt, and criteria for Social Security disability benefits.
COLA and Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI & SSI)
- Work Credits: A work credit – legally known as a “quarter of coverage” – is a unit used by the Social Security Administration to determine whether a worker is insured under the Social Security program. Workers can earn up to four credits per year. In 2025, workers need to earn $1,810 to gain a work credit. In 2026, a worker needs to earn $1,890 to earn a work credit.
- Substantial Gainful Activity: An individual will not be considered disabled if they make a monthly income equal or beyond “substantial gainful activity.”
- Non-Blind Limits: The SGA limit for non-blind workers in 2025 was $1,620 per month. In 2026, the limit is $1,690 per month.
- Blind Workers: The SGA limit for a blind individual in 2025 is $2,700 per month. In 2026, the limit is now $2,830 per month.
- Trial Work Period (TWP): Individuals receiving disability benefits can test their ability to work for at least 9 months while receiving full SSDI benefits. In 2025, the monthly limit was $1,160 per month. In 2026, the limit is now $1,210 per month.
Effect of 2026 COLA on Retirement
- Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts: Workers retiring before full retirement age can earn up to a certain amount before Social Security begins to withhold benefits (the withholding stops upon reaching retirement age).
- Before Retirement Age: In 2025, the exempt amount was $23,400 per year or $1,950 per month. In 2026, the exempt amount is $24,480 per year or $2,040 per month.
- Year of Retirement Age: In 2025, the exempt amount was $62,160 per year or $5,180 per month. In 2026, the exempt amount is $65,160 per year or $5,430 per month.
- Maximum Social Security Benefit: In 2025, workers retiring at full retirement age could receive a maximum of $4,018 per month. In 2026, full retirement age recipients can receive up to $4,152 per month.
Other Social Security Changes From COLA
- Employee Tax Rate: The rate remains unchanged. The combined tax rate for Social Security and Medicare is still 7.65%.
- Self-Employed Tax Rate: The rate remains unchanged. The tax rate is still 15.30%.
- Maximum Taxable Earnings on Social Security: In 2025, earnings are taxable for Social Security up to $176,100. In 2026, the maximum taxable earnings have increased to $184,500 for Social Security only.
- Maximum Taxable Earnings on Medicare: There is no limit on taxable earnings on Medicare only.
Even with a set payment schedule, delays can still occur due to bank processing issues, holidays, or administrative reviews.
What to Do If Your Payment Is Late
If your Social Security or SSI payments are more than three days late, the Social Security Administration recommends that you first contact your bank or financial institution to confirm if they are experiencing a delay in posting your payment.
If your payment is still missing, late or stolen, contact the Social Security Administration by dialing 1-800-772-1213 or contacting your local Social Security office.
How to Check Your Payment Status
You can confirm the payment status of your Social Security benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or logging into your SSA online portal.
Further Questions On SSDI and SSI Benefits In 2026? Contact National Disability Alliance.
Our team of disability advocates at National Disability Alliance have first-hand experience in the Social Security Administration. Whether you are applying for benefits for the first time, or you need to appeal a denial, our advocates can help you navigate the bureaucratic process and better understand how annual changes can impact your eligibility for disability payments. Call us at 833-693-4722 for more information.
References
- (2024, January). Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2025. Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2025.pdf
- (2025, January). Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2026. Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2026.pdf
- How do I report a missing payment? (2022, December 12). Social Security. https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02423.html
- 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet. (2024). Social Security. https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html
- Exempt Amounts Under the Earnings Test. (2020). Ssa.gov. https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/rtea.html
