We've made it through the first week of October, and those who have been receiving Social Security benefits since before May 1997 or receive both Social Security and SSI should have already received their checks, and the second round of payments is headed out in just a few short days.
When you receive your check depends on how long you've been receiving benefits, if you receive multiple Social Security benefits or what day of the month you were born. We'll explain. Below is the full payment schedule for October 2024 and some questions you may have about your benefits. If you're still waiting on your check from September, check out what you should do if your Social Security payment is missing.
Read on to find out if you should expect to receive your check this week, how your payment date is determined by the Social Security Administration and other government benefit payment dates. For more, don't miss the Social Security and SSDI cheat sheet and how to apply for Supplemental Security Income.
When will I get my Social Security check?
Want to know which day of the month you'll get your check? Here's the Social Security and SSDI payment schedule for October.
Social Security Payment Schedule October 2024
| You've received Social Security before May 1997 | October 3 |
|---|---|
| If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any given month | October 9 |
| If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of any given month | October 16 |
| If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any given month | October 23 |
How is my Social Security payment date determined?
Social Security payments are typically paid out starting on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The remaining two payments will be paid out on the following two Wednesdays of the month. Which week you receive your payment depends on your birthdate. There is one big exception, which I'll cover below.
Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You
CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday.
| Birthdate between: | Social Security check date |
|---|---|
| 1st and the 10th | 2nd Wednesday of the month |
| 11th and the 20th | 3rd Wednesday of the month |
| 21st and 31st | 4th Wednesday of the month |
Will I receive my other government benefits on the same day?
If you've received Social Security benefits before May 1997, or receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, your payment schedule isn't determined by your birthdate. Instead, payments are paid out every month on the same date with a couple of exceptions that I'll explain below.
Social Security payments will be sent out on the 3rd of each month, while SSI payments are sent out on the 1st of each month. These dates will sometimes change if the 1st or the 3rd of the month falls on a weekend or holiday. For instance, March 3 fell on a weekend, so Social Security recipients received their March payments two days early, on March 1. The same will happen in the month of November.
Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You
CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday.
The only benefits that are paid on the same schedule are Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance.
Didn't receive your Social Security check? Start here.
If your check doesn't show up when it's supposed to or at all, the Social Security Administration suggests waiting for three additional mailing days before contacting it. After that, you can call the national toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213
The SSA notes that "wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week and later in the month."
If you're having trouble getting ahold of the SSA through the national number, you can use their office locator to find a local office to reach out to.
For more, see how to apply for Social Security benefits for eligible children and how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance.