Whether you’re already retired or you started receiving benefits early while continuing to work, your Social Security benefits are a crucial piece of your monthly budget. Thankfully, you can usually count on your benefit to arrive on the same day each month. But holidays and weekends can tweak the payment schedule, causing some confusion and anxiety.
For instance, this February, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries and individuals who started getting Social Security before May of 1997 will see some changes to their typical payment dates. Below, we’ll explain this calendar change and what it means for your budget, along with tips on how to act if your payment doesn’t come through at all.
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Social Security and SSI payment dates vary some months
Because it oversees so many payments per month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sticks to a fairly strict benefits payment schedule. However, since the federal government is closed on weekends and federal holidays, the SSA shifts payments up by a day or two when a typical benefit payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
This should ensure you’re paid before the weekend or holiday instead of after, but the change can cause some confusion if you weren’t expecting to receive a check the day you did.
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SSI payments for February will be different for some
While all retired workers who paid Social Security taxes for a long enough period of time qualify for Social Security, a much smaller group qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Specifically, SSI supports the elderly, adults, and children with severely limited resources and/or severe disabilities.
Many — though not all — SSI recipients are dual beneficiaries, meaning they also qualify for Social Security. Those who do usually receive SSI benefits on the first of the month and Social Security benefits on the third of the month (which is also the same day benefits arrive for Social Security recipients who retired no later than May 1997).
However, the first day of February 2026 falls on a Sunday. This means SSI recipients will get their February checks on Friday, Jan. 30, since that’s the earliest weekday prior to Feb. 1. Similarly, since March 1 is on a Sunday, March’s SSI payments will be made on Friday, Feb. 27.
When the rest of February’s payments arrive
Luckily for most recipients, all other benefit payment dates will stay the same this February. Here’s when you can expect February’s payments to be made this year:
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Tuesday, Feb. 3: Social Security benefits for SSI dual beneficiaries and retirees who retired prior to May 1997.
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Wednesday, Feb. 11: Social Security benefits for retirees who were born between the first and 10th days of their birth month.
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Wednesday, Feb. 18: Social Security benefits for retirees who were born between the 11th and 20th days of their birth month.
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Wednesday, Feb. 25: Social Security benefits for retirees who were born between the 21st and 31st days of their birth month.
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Friday, Feb. 27: SSI benefits for March.
What to do if your payment doesn’t arrive
It’s a heart-stopping moment when you check your bank account and don’t see the benefits check you expected. Instead of panicking, calmly follow the steps below to see if you can resolve the issue yourself.
Check the holiday/weekend schedule
Before you do anything else, double-check the SSA’s benefit payment calendar against your phone’s calendar. If it’s a holiday or a weekend, your payment won’t have gone through.
Check with your bank
A processing delay on your bank’s end can stop your check from arriving in time, as can bank closures for state holidays. Call customer service to find out if they have any insights.
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Make sure your direct deposit information is updated
Next, log on to your my Social Security account, which you created when you first applied for Social Security. Open the direct deposit information to ensure your account and routing numbers are both up to date.
Verify your other information is correct in your online Social Security account
If your address or phone number has changed recently, the SSA might not be able to clear your payment until you’ve updated your contact information online. Verify that this info is the most up-to-date.
Contact the SSA
When all else fails, an SSA representative can help you directly if you call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday (except on federal holidays) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
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How much is the average monthly Social Security payment?
As of January 2026, the average Social Security payment for retired workers is $2,071 per month.
How to maximize your Social Security benefits
Wondering how to make sure your benefit dollars stretch no matter when they arrive? Start with these tips:
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Spend time reviewing your budget each month. Go through last month’s expenses, identify areas where you can cut costs, and set financial goals for the upcoming month.
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Work on lowering energy costs. February should be warmer than January, but piling on blankets and donning sweaters instead of turning up the heat can help you save on gas.
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Find a simple side gig. Slotting a ride-share or food delivery job into your typical commute can help you flesh out your savings one drive at a time.
Bottom line
Getting your benefit on time so you can pay bills, spend on necessities, and plan for the future is key to avoiding wasting money in retirement. Make sure to check the SSA payment calendar each month so you know exactly when your benefits will arrive, or key it into your calendar as a recurring event. That way, you’ll beat payment surprises that can throw a wrench in an otherwise perfect retirement.
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