When are Social Security and SSI benefits paid out in September 2026? The complete payment schedule
Per the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) official distribution schedule, the agency has now completed two out of five payment runs in September 2026, as it issues benefits for the following programs:
Who has the Social Security Admin paid already for September 2026?
- September 1: SSI benefits paid out
On Tuesday, September 1, the SSA was scheduled to send out this month’s SSI program payments.
A benefit for low-income people who are over the age of 65 or have a disability, SSI is separate to the Social Security program, despite also being run by the SSA.
While Social Security claimants must accumulate work credits to qualify for their benefits, eligibility for SSI does not depend on an individual’s employment history.
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- September 3: Social Security paid out to dual recipients/certain long-term recipients
On Thursday, September 3, the SSA was scheduled to issue this month’s Social Security to recipients who began claiming their payments before May 1997.
September 3 was also the latest Social Security payment date for beneficiaries who additionally claim SSI.
When does September’s three-Wednesdays cycle kick in?
Of the U.S.’s 71 million recipients of Social Security benefits, most get their money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month, depending on their birthday. In September, this three-Wednesdays cycle is:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: paid on Wednesday, September 9
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: paid on Wednesday, September 16
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: paid on Wednesday, September 23
NB: If you claim Social Security benefits based on someone else’s work record, the SSA uses the other person’s date of birth.
How much are monthly Social Security and SSI benefits?
- Social Security retirement: $2,031.74
- Social Security disability: $1,498.43
- Social Security survivor: $1,634.61
- SSI: $736.54
(Average benefit, according to stats published by the SSA.)
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How does the Social Security Admin make payments?
- Money can be transferred into a beneficiary’s bank account by direct deposit
- Benefits can be paid onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for receiving federal disbursements
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