How the 2018 SSDI Payment Schedule Works
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in 2018 arrive on a fixed schedule based on your birth date, not on when you were approved. The Social Security Administration assigns you a payment day between the 3rd and the 4th Wednesday of each month. You cannot choose your payment day, and it does not change year to year unless you switch from direct deposit to a payment card or vice versa.
Payments are deposited into your bank account or loaded onto a debit card issued by the Social Security Administration. If you receive your payment by check instead—which is rare and discouraged—checks are mailed on the 3rd of each month but may take several days to arrive. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable, and the Social Security Administration has phased out check payments for new beneficiaries.
The payment schedule is the same whether you receive SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. If you receive both programs, they may arrive on different days depending on how your account is set up. You can check your exact payment date by logging into your my Social Security account online or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Key Takeaways
- Your SSDI payment day in 2018 is determined by your birth date and falls between the 3rd and 4th Wednesday of each month—you cannot change it.
- Direct deposit into a bank account is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your payment and is required for all new beneficiaries.
- If you receive both SSDI and SSI, your two payments may arrive on different days of the month depending on your account setup.
- You can find your exact payment date by logging into my Social Security online or by calling the Social Security Administration's main number.
- The 2018 payment schedule does not change mid-year; your payment day remains the same every month unless you change your payment method.
Payment Days by Birth Date in 2018
The Social Security Administration divides beneficiaries into three groups based on birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, your payment arrives on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, your payment arrives on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, your payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday.
This system has been in place since 2011 and applies to all SSDI beneficiaries. The only exception is if you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which has its own payment schedule—SSI payments arrive on the 1st of each month. If you receive both programs, you will see two separate deposits in your account on two different days.
The payment day does not shift if a Wednesday falls on a holiday. The Social Security Administration pays on the scheduled Wednesday regardless of whether it is a federal holiday. However, if your bank is closed on that day, the deposit may appear in your account the next business day depending on your bank's processing schedule.
What to Do If Your Payment Does Not Arrive on Time
If your payment does not appear by the end of the business day on your scheduled payment date, contact the Social Security Administration directly. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Have your Social Security number ready and be prepared to describe when you last received a payment.
The Social Security Administration can tell you whether the payment was processed and when it should reach your bank. If the payment was processed but your bank has not received it, the delay is usually on your bank's end, and you should contact your bank directly. If the payment has not been processed at all, the Social Security Administration will investigate and may issue a replacement payment.
Do not assume a late payment means your benefits have been stopped. Delays happen for technical reasons—a change in your bank account information, a problem with the payment system, or a bank processing error. The Social Security Administration keeps a record of when each payment was sent, so they can track down the issue quickly if you call.
Changing Your Payment Method or Bank Account
If you want to change your payment day, the only way to do so is to switch your payment method. For example, if you currently receive a check and switch to direct deposit, you may be assigned a different payment day. However, if you already use direct deposit and want to keep it, changing your bank account will not change your payment day—it will remain the same.
To change your bank account information, log into my Social Security online, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office in person. Changes to your bank account usually take effect within one to two months. During the transition, make sure you know which account your next payment will go to so you do not miss it.
If you switch from direct deposit to a debit card issued by the Social Security Administration (called a Direct Express card), your payment day may change. The Direct Express card is an alternative for people who do not have a bank account. Payments to the card arrive on the same schedule as direct deposit—between the 3rd and 4th Wednesday of the month based on your birth date.
2018 Payment Dates at a Glance
| Birth Date Range | Payment Week | Example Dates in 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st–10th of any month | 2nd Wednesday | January 10, February 14, March 14 |
| 11th–20th of any month | 3rd Wednesday | January 17, February 21, March 21 |
| 21st–31st of any month | 4th Wednesday | January 24, February 28, March 28 |
How Payment Amounts Are Set and When They Change
Your SSDI payment amount is based on your earnings record and the age at which you became disabled. The Social Security Administration calculates your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) using your average indexed monthly earnings from your work history. This amount does not change month to month unless you report a change in your circumstances—such as returning to work, getting married, or having a child.
The Social Security Administration adjusts all SSDI payments once per year for cost-of-living increases. In 2018, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was 2 percent. This adjustment was applied to all payments starting in January 2018. If you did not see an increase in your January payment, contact the Social Security Administration to ask whether you were included in the adjustment.
If your payment amount changes for any reason other than the annual COLA, the Social Security Administration will send you a notice explaining the change. Keep these notices in a safe place. If you disagree with a change, you have the right to request a reconsideration or appeal, but you must do so within 60 days of receiving the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my SSDI payment earlier than my scheduled date?
No. The Social Security Administration does not advance payments or allow you to receive your payment early. Your payment arrives on your assigned date based on your birth date. If you need money before your payment arrives, you may want to explore other options such as a short-term loan or information from a local community organization.
What happens to my payment if I move to a different state?
Your payment schedule does not change if you move. Your birth date determines your payment day, and that does not change based on where you live. However, you should notify the Social Security Administration of your address change so they have your correct mailing address on file and can reach you if needed.
Will my payment stop if I don't use my bank account for a while?
No. Your SSDI payment will continue to arrive on your scheduled date as long as you remain disabled and meet the other requirements for SSDI. The Social Security Administration does not stop payments because an account is inactive. However, if your bank closes your account, you should update your payment information with the Social Security Administration right away.
Do I get paid for the month I become disabled, or does it start the next month?
SSDI payments begin the month after your disability is approved, not the month you became disabled. However, the Social Security Administration may owe you back pay if there was a delay between when you became disabled and when you were approved. Back pay is usually issued as a lump sum separate from your regular monthly payments.
What if my scheduled payment day falls on a weekend or holiday?
The Social Security Administration pays on the scheduled Wednesday regardless of whether it is a weekend or holiday. Your bank may process the deposit the next business day if the bank is closed, but the payment is sent on the correct date. Check with your bank about their processing schedule if you are unsure when the deposit will appear.