Around 68 million Americans receive Social Security payments each month. In 2024, the maximum amount is $943 per individual or $1,415 for a couple.
Knowing when to expect the payment will help you budget effectively or determine if you need to supplement your income .
Wondering which day exactly your bank account will grow this October? Here's a breakdown of how Social Security payout dates are determined and what to do if your payment doesn’t arrive on time.
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How Social Security Payment Dates Determined
Most Social Security recipients get their benefit payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month. The Wednesday on which you’re paid differs based on the day you were born:
- Those born between the 1st and 10th day of the month can expect their benefit on the second Wednesday of the month.
- Those born between the 11th and 20th day of the month can expect their benefit on the third Wednesday of the month.
- Those born between the 21st and 31st day of the month can expect their benefit on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
For example, if you were born on the first of the month, you’ll receive your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of every month.
If you were born on the 16th, you’ll receive your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday of every month. And if you were born on the 30th, you’ll receive your payment on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
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When to expect your October Social Security payment
In other words, no matter when you were born, you’ll always be paid on a Wednesday — unless a federal holiday happens to fall on a Wednesday, in which case you’ll be paid the first weekday before the holiday.
As there aren’t any federal holidays on a Wednesday this October, recipients don’t need to worry that their payment could arrive on another day of the week.
In case you’re wondering, you don’t need to worry about a holiday changing your Social Security payment dates until December since Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year.
With that in mind, this October’s payment schedule for Social Security beneficiaries is as follows:
- Born between the 1st and 10th: Wednesday, October 9 .
- Born between the 11th and 20th: Wednesday, October 16 .
- Born between the 21st and 31st: Wednesday, October 23 .
When to expect your October Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment
If you’re disabled, have an extremely low income, and/or have extremely limited resources, you might qualify for a Supplemental Security Income benefit, or SSI.
Individuals receiving SSI payments receive their benefits on the first day of the month, regardless of their birth date.
This means that if you’re expecting an SSI benefit this month, you’ll be paid on Tuesday, October 1. However, if you happen to be receiving both regular Social Security and SSI benefits, you’ll be paid on a different day of the month, which we cover below.
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Other October Social Security payment dates
If you qualify for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, you’ll always be paid on the third day of the month.
Your payment day will only change if a federal holiday falls on the third (which it doesn’t this month) or if the third is on the weekend rather than on a weekday. In the latter case, you’ll be paid the closest weekday preceding the third.
Along with those receiving both types of benefits, those who were receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997 following individuals can also expect to be paid on Thursday, October 3.
Additionally, anyone who receives recurring Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Income (RSDI) payments distributed by the Social Security Administration will be paid out regularly on the third day of the month and then on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of the month.
That means RSDI beneficiaries will be paid on Thursday, October 3; Wednesday, October 9; Wednesday, October 16; and Wednesday, October 23.
What happens if you don’t get your payment by the scheduled date?
The IRS requests that individuals who don’t receive their benefits payments on time wait three business days before trying to contact the IRS for more information.
While you wait, feel free to check in with your bank to see if they’ve received the payment for processing — the check might have reached your bank without being processed and deposited.
You should also check that all your contact information is up to date on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) website. If you’ve moved recently or changed banks, you need to update the information online to ensure you receive your check without interruption.
If your bank hasn’t received your deposit and your information is up to date, you can get in touch with the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at its TTY number: 1-800-325-0778. Your nearest local SSA field office can also point you in the right direction.
Bottom line
Social Security and/or SSI benefits are essential to maintaining a budget when you’re retired and living on a fixed income. As long as your information is current, you should expect to receive your check on the October dates we listed.
If your benefits don’t come through, feel free to use the contact information on this page to get help so you can continue to enjoy a stress-free retirement .
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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