The date you receive your check is determined by your date of birth and how long you have been receiving Social Security benefits. Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of your March SSI check? If you’re wondering about the process behind the timing of the check, it’s based on your date of birth and the length of time you have been receiving Social Security benefits.
To distribute its payments, the Social Security Administration follows a monthly schedule. Keep reading to learn when your SSI payment is expected to arrive and how the payment date is determined. If you have recently started receiving Social Security benefits, find out when it’s most advantageous to begin collecting and how to temporarily halt them for a larger payout in the future.
What is the expected arrival date of my SSI check for March?
Social Security payments are typically distributed on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month, and the specific date of your payment is determined by your date of birth. If your birth date is between the 1st and 10th of the month, your payment will be issued on the second Wednesday of the month.
For those with birth dates between the 11th and 20th, payments are sent out on the third Wednesday of the month, while those with birth dates between the 21st and 31st will receive their payments on the fourth Wednesday of the month. SSI payments are generally disbursed on the first of each month, with a few exceptions that we will delve into below.
The following is the March schedule (PDF) outlining when you can expect to receive your Social Security check or SSI money:
- March 1: SSI payments for March.
- March 3: Social Security payments for recipients who receive both SSI and Social Security or have been receiving Social Security since before May 1997.
- March 8: Social Security payments for individuals with birthdays between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- March 15: Social Security payments for individuals with birthdays between the 11th and 20th of any month.
- March 22: Social Security payments for individuals with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month.
- March 31: SSI payments for April.
If I am a recipient of both Social Security and SSI, what should I expect in terms of payment dates?
If you are a recipient of both Social Security and SSI or began receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997, the payment schedule is different. Your Social Security payment will be issued on the third day of each month, while your SSI payment will be issued on the first day of each month. However, if the first or third day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment dates may be adjusted accordingly. For instance, if April 1 falls on a Saturday, SSI recipients will receive their April payments one day early on March 31, while their Social Security payment will be issued on April 3.
What should I do if I do not receive my Social Security payment on the anticipated date?
In the event that you do not receive your Social Security payment on the anticipated date due to your birth date or other factors, the Social Security Administration advises waiting for three additional mailing days before taking action. If your payment still hasn’t arrived, you can contact a representative at 800-772-1213. It’s worth noting that wait times are typically shorter on Wednesdays through Fridays and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.