July 2023 SSDI payment dates followed the standard three-group schedule

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in July 2023 were sent on three separate dates, depending on your birth date. The Social Security Administration divides beneficiaries into three groups to spread the workload of processing payments across the month. If you received SSDI in July 2023, your payment arrived on one of these dates: July 12, July 19, or July 26.

The payment schedule is fixed and does not change from month to month. Your group assignment is permanent — it is based on when you were born, not on when you started receiving benefits or how much you receive. Once you know which group you belong to, you can expect payments on the same date every month going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments in July 2023 were distributed across three dates: July 12, 19, and 26, based on your birth date.
  • Your payment group is determined by your birth date and remains the same throughout your time on SSDI.
  • If you were born between the 1st and 10th of any month, you received payment on July 12; the 11th to 20th received it on July 19; and the 21st to 31st received it on July 26.
  • Direct deposit to a bank account is the fastest and most reliable way to receive SSDI payments, though a debit card or check are also options.

How birth date determines your payment group

The Social Security Administration assigns you to a payment group based on your day of birth within the month, not your birth year or birth month. Beneficiaries born on the 1st through the 10th of any month make up Group 1. Those born on the 11th through the 20th are Group 2. Those born on the 21st through the 31st are Group 3.

This system has been in place since 1997 and applies to all SSDI beneficiaries except those who also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you receive both SSDI and SSI, your payment schedule follows the SSI calendar instead, which pays on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th of each month. You can verify which group you belong to by logging into your my Social Security account online or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Payment methods and how to receive your July 2023 payment

In July 2023, as in all months, SSDI payments were sent through one of three methods: direct deposit to a bank or credit union account, a prepaid debit card issued by Social Security, or a paper check mailed to your address. Direct deposit is the fastest option — funds typically appear in your account on the payment date itself. Debit card payments usually arrive within one to two business days. Paper checks take longer and are more vulnerable to loss or theft in the mail.

If you had not yet set up direct deposit by July 2023, you could do so through your my Social Security account, by calling Social Security, or by visiting a local Social Security office. Switching payment methods does not change your payment date — you will still receive your payment on the same date each month, just through a different channel.

What to do if you did not receive your July 2023 payment on time

If your payment did not arrive on your scheduled date in July 2023, the first step was to check your my Social Security account to confirm the payment had been processed. The account shows the exact date your payment was sent and the method used. If the payment was sent but did not reach you, the next step depended on your payment method.

For direct deposit, contact your bank or credit union to ask whether the deposit was received but not yet posted to your account, or whether it was rejected. Banks sometimes reject deposits if your account has been closed or if there is a fraud hold. For debit card payments, contact the card issuer's customer service line — the number is on the back of your card. For paper checks, wait five business days after your payment date before reporting it missing, then contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a replacement or to switch to direct deposit.

How July 2023 payments fit into the annual SSDI calendar

July 2023 was a mid-year payment month with no special adjustments or cost-of-living increases. The most recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) had taken effect in January 2023, when SSDI payments increased by 8.7 percent. This increase remained in place through July and the rest of 2023. The next COLA adjustment was scheduled for January 2024.

July payments were also unaffected by the government shutdown that occurred in October 2023 — that event came later in the year. If you had questions about your specific payment amount in July, you could review your Social Security Statement through your my Social Security account, which shows your payment history and any changes to your benefit amount.

Differences between SSDI and SSI payment schedules in July 2023

If you received only SSDI in July 2023, your payment followed the three-group birth-date schedule described above. However, if you received both SSDI and SSI, or if you received only SSI, your payment schedule was different. SSI payments in July 2023 were sent on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th of the month, regardless of birth date. This separate schedule exists because SSI is a needs-based program with different administrative requirements than SSDI.

Some beneficiaries receive SSDI as their primary benefit and a small SSI supplement on top of it. In those cases, the SSDI portion followed the birth-date schedule, but the SSI portion followed the SSI calendar. Your Social Security Statement shows which programs you receive and when each payment is sent. If you were unsure whether you received SSDI, SSI, or both, your my Social Security account or a call to Social Security could clarify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did some people get paid on July 12 and others on July 26?

Social Security divides beneficiaries into three groups based on birth date to spread payments across the month. If you were born between the 1st and 10th, you received payment on July 12. The 11th to 20th received it on July 19. The 21st to 31st received it on July 26. This system has been in place since 1997 and applies to all SSDI beneficiaries except those who also receive SSI.

Can I change my payment date if I don't like when I receive my check?

No, your payment date is fixed based on your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can change your payment method — switching from check to direct deposit, for example — without changing the date you receive your payment. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, only the SSI portion can be moved to a different date.

What if I was born on the 31st — which group am I in?

If you were born on the 31st of any month, you are in Group 3 and received your July 2023 payment on July 26. Group 3 includes everyone born on the 21st through the 31st. This applies even if you were born in a month that has fewer than 31 days — your actual birth date determines your group.

Does the July payment include a cost-of-living increase?

The July 2023 payment did not include a new increase. The most recent cost-of-living adjustment took effect in January 2023, when payments rose by 8.7 percent. That increase remained in place through July and the rest of 2023. The next COLA adjustment was scheduled for January 2024.