SSDI payments follow a schedule based on your birth date. Here's your complete guide to 2026 SSDI payment dates.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How SSDI payment dates work
- Complete 2026 payment calendar by birth date
- Exceptions to the schedule
- Getting paid early
How SSDI Payment Dates Work
Your birth date determines your payment day:
| Birth Date | Payment Day | |------------|-------------| | 1st - 10th | Second Wednesday | | 11th - 20th | Third Wednesday | | 21st - 31st | Fourth Wednesday |
Exception: If you received both SSDI and SSI before 1997, or if your Medicare premiums are paid by the state, you're paid on the 3rd of each month.
2026 SSDI Payment Schedule
Born 1st - 10th (Second Wednesday)
| Month | Payment Date | |-------|--------------| | January | January 14, 2026 | | February | February 11, 2026 | | March | March 11, 2026 | | April | April 8, 2026 | | May | May 13, 2026 | | June | June 10, 2026 | | July | July 8, 2026 | | August | August 12, 2026 | | September | September 9, 2026 | | October | October 14, 2026 | | November | November 11, 2026 | | December | December 9, 2026 |
Born 11th - 20th (Third Wednesday)
| Month | Payment Date | |-------|--------------| | January | January 21, 2026 | | February | February 18, 2026 | | March | March 18, 2026 | | April | April 15, 2026 | | May | May 20, 2026 | | June | June 17, 2026 | | July | July 15, 2026 | | August | August 19, 2026 | | September | September 16, 2026 | | October | October 21, 2026 | | November | November 18, 2026 | | December | December 16, 2026 |
Born 21st - 31st (Fourth Wednesday)
| Month | Payment Date | |-------|--------------| | January | January 28, 2026 | | February | February 25, 2026 | | March | March 25, 2026 | | April | April 22, 2026 | | May | May 27, 2026 | | June | June 24, 2026 | | July | July 22, 2026 | | August | August 26, 2026 | | September | September 23, 2026 | | October | October 28, 2026 | | November | November 25, 2026 | | December | December 23, 2026 |
3rd of Month (Legacy Schedule)
For those on the legacy schedule:
| Month | Payment Date | |-------|--------------| | January | January 2, 2026 (Fri)* | | February | February 3, 2026 | | March | March 3, 2026 | | April | April 3, 2026 | | May | May 1, 2026 (Fri)** | | June | June 3, 2026 | | July | July 3, 2026 | | August | August 3, 2026 | | September | September 3, 2026 | | October | October 2, 2026 (Fri)** | | November | November 3, 2026 | | December | December 3, 2026 |
*January 3 is Saturday; paid January 2 **When the 3rd falls on weekend
Holiday and Weekend Adjustments
When payment day falls on a federal holiday:
- Payment arrives the business day before
- Affects November (Veterans Day may shift)
- Check specific month calendars
When payment day falls on a weekend:
- Payment arrives the Friday before
- May adjust some legacy schedule payments
2026 SSDI Payment Amounts
Average SSDI payment (2026): ~$1,580/month
Maximum SSDI payment (2026): $4,018/month
Your amount depends on:
- Your earnings history
- How long you worked
- Your age when disabled
- Family maximum may apply
Deductions from your check:
- Medicare Part B premium (~$185/month)
- Part D premium (if enrolled)
- Tax withholding (if requested)
- Any overpayment recovery
How to Find Your Payment Schedule
My Social Security account:
- Visit ssa.gov/myaccount
- Log in or create account
- View your payment information
- See your specific payment dates
SSA phone:
- 1-800-772-1213
- TTY: 1-800-325-0778
- Ask about your payment schedule
Your approval letter:
- Contains your payment schedule
- Shows which Wednesday applies
- Keep for reference
Why Your Payment Date Matters
Budget planning:
- Schedule bills after payment date
- Know exactly when money arrives
- Plan for months with holidays
Avoid overdrafts:
- Don't schedule payments before deposit
- Account for weekend timing
- Remember holiday adjustments
Track changes:
- Medicare premium increases
- Cost-of-living adjustments
- Overpayment deductions
Common Questions
Can I change my SSDI payment date? No. Your birth date permanently determines your payment schedule.
Why is my payment late? Check for holidays, weekends, or banking issues. Contact SSA if more than a day late.
Do I get paid every month? Yes. SSDI pays monthly, unlike SSI which can be affected by income/resources.
What about the COLA increase? Cost-of-living adjustments take effect in January. Your first increased payment is in January 2026.
How Purple Helps
Purple helps you get SSDI faster:
- Receive SSDI up to 4 days early
- Don't wait for Wednesday
- Instant deposit notifications
- Track your payment history
- No monthly fees on your benefits
With Purple, your SSDI arrives days before the scheduled date, helping you pay bills on time.