Social Security recipients will have a delay in May benefits: See when you will get paid

Many Americans rely on Social Security as income to cover their living expenses and basic needs.

Each month, the Social Security Administration issues payments to these Americans so they are able to cover a variety of expenses, from food to housing to medical care.

Although there are a lot of people who receive Social Security, not everyone knows how their payments are calculated, when they will arrive or how they will change over time.

For the month of May, benefits will be arriving later than usual for most Social Security recipients due to how the calendar is structured for 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about when you will receive your May Social Security payments.

The Social Security Administration will send your May 2026 check on a specific day of the month depending on your date of birth, according to this calendar.

If your birthday falls on the first to the 10th of the month, for example, you receive your payments on the second Wednesday of the month. Social security check recipients, who fall under this category, should receive their first check by May 13.

If your birth date is between the 11th and 20th of the month, your payments arrive on the third Wednesday of the month. Recipients, who fall under this category, should receive their check on May 20.

If your birthday happens to be from the 21st to the 28th, your payments are scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month. If you fall under this category, you will receive your payment on May 27.

The next payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients is May 1. You will receive Social Security and SSI on May 1 if you began receiving Social Security before May 1997 or you receive SSI and Social Security.

You can find out more details about your Social Security benefits here.