Social Security is issuing payments on Wednesday, October 8: find out who’s getting a check

Millions of Americans are to receive their monthly Social Security benefits next week, with payments expected to go out on time despite the U.S. government shutdown.

“No change in payment dates”

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has assured recipients that the distribution of benefits “will continue with no change in payment dates”.

The SSA’s statement came after Congress missed its deadline to avert a federal shutdown on Tuesday night. Amid disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on healthcare spending, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have been unable to pass a new funding bill.

Who’s getting a Social Security check on Oct. 8?

On Wednesday, October 8, payments are to be made to certain recipients of retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or survivor pay.

Of the just over 70 million people who receive retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits in the U.S., most get their payment on one of three Wednesdays each month, beginning on the second Wednesday.

A recipient’s designated Wednesday is determined by the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have accumulated the benefits entitlement.

For example, if you receive retirement pay based on your own work record, your birthday is used. If you claim retirement benefits based on a spouse or parent’s employment history, the spouse or parent’s date of birth is used.

On October 8, the SSA is to issue benefits to recipients whose date of birth (or relevant family member’s date of birth) falls between the 1st and 10th of each month.

Who isn’t paid on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday?

• Some long-term Social Security beneficiaries

If you started claiming retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits before May 1997, your check typically goes out on the third of each month, irrespective of your date of birth.

These long-term beneficiaries were therefore scheduled to be paid on Friday, October 3.

• SSI beneficiaries

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - a separate SSA benefit for low-income individuals who are over 65 or have a disability - are normally paid on the first of each month.

This month’s SSI payments therefore went out on Wednesday, October 1.

• Dual beneficiaries (SSI + regular Social Security)

Just over 2.5 million people in the U.S. receive both SSI and one of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits.

These recipients normally were due to get the former on October 1, followed by the latter on October 3.

You can take a look at the SSA’s complete payment schedule for 2025 in this online calendar.

How much do retirement recipient get per month?

Retired workers - who account for most of the U.S.’s Social Security beneficiaries - are paid an average of $2,008.31 per month, the SSA says.

How much do other SSA beneficiaries get per month?

Disabled workers receive an of $1,582.95 a month, while beneficiaries of survivor pay get a monthly average of $1,575.30. SSI recipients are paid $717.84 per month on average.

How does the SSA make Social Security payments?

Over 99% of checks are now paid electronically, as the SSA seeks to go fully paperless. As of September 30, indeed, the agency says recipients will “in most cases” no longer be given the option of being mailed a paper check.

The SSA provides benefits recipients with two ways of receiving electronic payments:

• Direct deposit

Beneficiaries can receive their money by direct deposit, by providing the agency with their bank details. You can supply this information on the “my Social Security” online portal.

• Debit Express Card

Recipients can also have their benefits paid onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal payments made to people without a bank account.

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