How the check reaches you each month

Once you are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration sends your payment by direct deposit to a bank account, or by debit card if you do not have a bank account. You do not receive a physical check in the mail — Social Security stopped mailing paper checks in 2013. Your first payment arrives the month after your approval is final.

The payment date depends on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, you receive your payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive it on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive it on the fourth Wednesday. SSI payments always arrive on the first of the month, unless the first falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case they arrive the day before.

You can check the exact payment date for your situation by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office. Your payment date does not change once it is set, even if you move or change banks.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security sends SSDI and SSI payments by direct deposit or debit card only — there are no paper checks.
  • Your payment date is set by your birth date and does not change, though you can verify it through your my Social Security account.
  • You must provide a valid bank account or agree to receive a debit card before your first payment can be sent.
  • If your bank account information changes, you must update it through my Social Security or by calling Social Security directly to avoid missed or delayed payments.

Setting up direct deposit before your first payment

Before Social Security can send your payment, you need to tell them where to send it. You have two options: a bank account (checking or savings) or a debit card issued by Social Security. Direct deposit is faster and more find than waiting for a card to arrive by mail.

To set up direct deposit, log into your my Social Security account and go to the "Payment Information" section. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of any check from that account. If you do not have checks, call your bank and ask for the routing number and your account number. You can also set up direct deposit by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting your local office in person with a blank check or a letter from your bank showing your account details.

If you do not have a bank account and do not want to open one, Social Security will issue you a debit card. The card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after your approval. Your first payment will be held until the card arrives. Once it arrives, you can use it to withdraw cash, make purchases, or transfer money to a bank account.

What happens if your bank account information changes

If you close your bank account, switch banks, or change account numbers, you must update Social Security before your next payment date. If you do not, your payment will be returned to Social Security and you will not receive it on time.

Update your bank information through my Social Security by logging in and selecting "Payment Information," or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit your local Social Security office. Changes take effect within 1 to 2 business days. If you miss the important date and your payment is returned, Social Security will reissue it, but it may take 2 to 4 weeks to reach your new account.

Tracking your payment and resolving missing or late payments

You can see your payment history and upcoming payment dates by logging into my Social Security. The site shows the date each payment was sent and the amount. If you do not see a payment that should have arrived, check your bank account to confirm it did not deposit under a different name or date. Banks sometimes post deposits a day or two after Social Security sends them.

If a payment is genuinely missing, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 within 30 days of the payment date. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready. Social Security can tell you whether the payment was sent and to which account. If it was sent to the wrong account or lost in transit, they will issue a replacement check, which takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive by mail.

If you use a debit card and your payment does not appear, contact the card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card. They can confirm whether the deposit was received and help you locate it in your transaction history.

Reporting changes that affect your payments

Certain life changes require you to report to Social Security, and failing to report them can result in overpayments that you will have to repay. You must report: a change in your living situation (such as moving in with someone else), a change in your marital status, a new job or income, or a change in your medical condition that improves your ability to work.

Report changes through my Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office. Do this within 30 days of the change. Social Security uses this information to recalculate your payment if necessary. Some changes increase your payment; others decrease it. Either way, reporting on time protects you from owing money back later.

What to do if you stop receiving payments

Your SSDI or SSI payments can stop for several reasons: your medical condition improved and you returned to work, you reached full retirement age (SSDI only), you moved out of the country for more than 30 days, or you failed to report a required change. If your payment stops unexpectedly, log into my Social Security to see whether there is a message explaining why, or call 1-800-772-1213.

If your payment stopped because you returned to work, you may still be covered under the Trial Work Period or Extended may be able to access Period, which allow you to earn income without losing benefits for a set time. If your payment stopped for another reason and you believe it was a mistake, you can request a reconsideration or file an appeal. You have 60 days from the date Social Security notified you of the change to file an appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive my payment on a different date than the one assigned to me?

No. Social Security assigns your payment date based on your birth date and does not change it. However, if the scheduled date falls on a weekend or holiday, your payment arrives the day before. If you need money on a specific date for a bill, you can plan around your assigned payment date or set up automatic bill payments through your bank.

What if I do not have a bank account and do not want a debit card?

Social Security requires all beneficiaries to receive payments by direct deposit or debit card. If you do not have a bank account, Social Security will issue you a debit card at no cost. The card works like a bank account and allows you to withdraw cash, pay bills, and transfer money. If you have concerns about using a debit card, your local Social Security office can explain how it works and answer your questions.

How long does it take for a replacement payment to arrive if mine was lost?

If Social Security issues a replacement check because your payment was lost or sent to the wrong account, it takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive by mail. If the replacement is sent by direct deposit to a corrected account, it arrives within 1 to 2 business days. Call Social Security to ask which method they will use for your replacement.

Do I have to pay taxes on my disability check?

Whether you owe federal income tax on your SSDI or SSI payment depends on your total income for the year and your filing status. SSI is generally not taxable. SSDI may be taxable if you have other income. You will receive a Form SSA-1099 each January showing the amount you received. Consult a tax professional or the IRS to determine whether you must file a return.

Can someone else receive my payment on my behalf?

If you are unable to manage your benefits, you can request that Social Security appoint a representative payee — usually a family member or trusted person — to receive and manage your payments. You must submit a written request to your local Social Security office. Social Security will investigate and decide whether a payee is necessary. The payee must use the money for your current maintenance and best interests.