Knowing when your benefits arrive helps you plan your budget. Here's the complete payment schedule for SSI and SSDI in 2026.
In this article, we'll cover:
- When SSI payments arrive
- When SSDI payments arrive
- Payment dates for the full year
- How to get paid early
1. When SSI Payments Arrive
Standard SSI schedule:
- Paid on the 1st of each month
- If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, paid the business day before
- Same date every month
- No variation based on birth date
Why SSI is different:
- SSI is need-based assistance
- Everyone paid on same schedule
- Simpler administration
- Predictable for budgeting
2. When SSDI Payments Arrive
SSDI schedule (based on birth date):
- Born 1st-10th: Second Wednesday of month
- Born 11th-20th: Third Wednesday of month
- Born 21st-31st: Fourth Wednesday of month
Exceptions:
- If you received both SSDI and SSI before 1997, you may be paid on the 3rd
- Some long-term recipients grandfathered into old schedule
- Check your specific payment date with SSA
3. Payment Dates for 2026
SSI Payment Dates (1st of month, or prior business day):
- January: December 31, 2025 (January 1 is holiday)
- February: February 2 (January 1 is holiday)
- March: March 2
- April: April 1
- May: May 1
- June: June 1
- July: July 1
- August: July 31 (August 1 is Saturday)
- September: September 1
- October: October 1
- November: October 30 (November 1 is Sunday)
- December: December 1
SSDI Payment Dates by Birth Date:
| Month | Born 1-10 | Born 11-20 | Born 21-31 | |-------|-----------|------------|------------| | January | Jan 14 | Jan 21 | Jan 28 | | February | Feb 11 | Feb 18 | Feb 25 | | March | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | Mar 25 | | April | Apr 8 | Apr 15 | Apr 22 | | May | May 13 | May 20 | May 27 | | June | Jun 10 | Jun 17 | Jun 24 | | July | Jul 8 | Jul 15 | Jul 22 | | August | Aug 12 | Aug 19 | Aug 26 | | September | Sep 9 | Sep 16 | Sep 23 | | October | Oct 14 | Oct 21 | Oct 28 | | November | Nov 12 | Nov 19 | Nov 25 | | December | Dec 9 | Dec 16 | Dec 23 |
Important: These dates are when SSA sends payments. When you receive them depends on your bank.
4. How to Get Paid Early
Early direct deposit:
- Some banks release funds when they receive the file
- Can be up to 4 days before the official date
- Not all banks offer this
- Purple provides early access for SSI and SSDI
How early access works:
- SSA sends payment files before the official date
- Some banks hold until official date
- Others release when they receive the file
- Purple releases funds as soon as received
Who qualifies:
- Anyone with direct deposit
- Must use a bank that offers early access
- Government benefits most commonly early
- Regular direct deposit timing varies
Benefits of early access:
- Pay bills on time
- Avoid late fees
- Less waiting and stress
- Better budgeting flexibility
Checking Your Payment
Online:
- Log in to my Social Security at ssa.gov
- View your payment history
- See upcoming payment dates
- Verify payment amounts
By phone:
- Call 1-800-772-1213
- TTY: 1-800-325-0778
- Automated system can provide info
- Or speak with representative
How Purple Helps
Purple gets you paid faster:
- Up to 4 days early for SSI
- Up to 4 days early for SSDI
- Clear deposit notifications
- See when money is coming
- No waiting until official date