All beneficiaries of the U.S. Social Security system receive their benefits on a regular and timely basis. Although this is the usual rule, there are occasions when the delivery of the money may be slightly delayed. Usually these cases are not problems with the Social Security Administration itself, but with the bank or payment system, but we can avoid surprises if we do something to check the situation.
The Social Security payment schedule is strict and money is sent every month on the same dates. To find out when your benefit is due, all you need to know is the day of the month in which you were born. Recipients may receive the benefit on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month. Also, SSI payments are always made on the 1st of the month.
What do I do if I don’t receive my Social Security payment?
If you have not received your Social Security money after the paydays you have several options. The payment days are as follows:
- 1st of the month: SSI payment.
- Second Wednesday of the month: Social Security benefit payment for people born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
- Third Wednesday of the month: SSA benefit payment for persons born between the 11th and 20th of the month.
- Fourth Wednesday of the month: SSA benefit payment for persons born between the 21st and 31st of the month.
The benefit may take up to three days from the time the Social Security Administration sends the payment. After those three days, you should have the amount in your bank account. If you do not receive it, you have several ways to see what error occurred:
- Check My Social Security Account: Look to see that your bank account is listed correctly.
- Call the bank: Try calling the bank or going to a bank office to verify that there are no problems with the account.
- Call your local SSA office: As a last resort, contact your local SSA office so they can help you with this situation directly.
Which payment method is best for benefits?
There are two methods for collecting Social Security benefits. Both methods are good and trouble-free, but one method has a major advantage, which is that you can collect immediately without waiting. If you collect by bank account, you may have to wait up to 3 days to receive the money. Sometimes it takes less, but the average wait is 3 days.
On the other hand, if you use the Direct Express method, which is a card with no bank account requirement, you will receive the Social Security benefit money immediately, and the amount will be available to you at the same time the SSA makes the payment.