Social Security payments changing for January, February: What to know

Some Social Security beneficiaries will see changes in their January and February payment schedules.
The change – one that will crop up throughout 2026 and beyond – has to do with where payment dates fall on the calendar.
Traditional Social Security payments remain on the same schedule each month: People born on the 1st- 10th of the month are paid on the second Wednesday; people born 11th – 20th are paid on the third Wednesday; and people born 21st – 31st are paid on the fourth Wednesday.
The changes come for those who receive Supplemental Security Income. Those payments are made on the first of each month except when that day falls on a weekend or a holiday. That’s the case for February, meaning SSI recipients will receive their payments two days early.
February’s SSI payments will be made Friday, Jan. 30 since Feb. 1 falls on a Sunday. Then, they will receive another SSI payment on Feb. 27 because March 1 is also on a Sunday. The first of the month schedule will return for April, May, June and July before the calendar again forces a timing adjustment.
You can see the year’s complete payment schedule here.
SSI is a program that provides monthly payments to adults and children who have limited income and resources, who are blind or have a disability. It also provides benefits for low-income seniors age 65 and older. To qualify, individuals must have wages of less than $2,073 per month (less than $3,067 per month for couples); other income such as Social Security of less than $1,014 per month ($1,511 a month for couples); and less than $2,000 in other resources (less than $3,000 in for couples).
The maximum monthly SSI payment is $994 for individuals and $1,491 for couples though that can be reduced based on income, certain family members’ income, living situation and other factors.
Some 7.4 million Americans receive SSI, according to the agency.




