February 2026 Social Security payments: Over 71 million Americans are tracking Social Security payments this week. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the first major wave of mid-month deposits will hit bank accounts. This specific payout is for retirees, SSDI recipients, and survivors born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
The 2026 schedule relies strictly on your birth date and benefit start year. If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th, your payment arrives next week on February 18. Those born between the 21st and 31st must wait until February 25. Note that anyone who started receiving benefits before May 1997 should have already been paid on February 3.
Beneficiaries are seeing higher amounts this month due to the 2.8% COLA increase. On average, retired workers are receiving approximately $2,074, while disability and survivor benefits average around $1,630. These figures help offset rising costs, though many will notice a portion taken by the new $202.90 Medicare Part B premium.
If you only receive SSI, your February funds were actually paid on January 30 because the first of the month was a Sunday. No additional SSI checks will arrive this week. For all other recipients, if your deposit doesn’t appear by Wednesday morning, the SSA recommends waiting three business days before reporting a missing payment.
Who receives their Social Security payment this week
According to the official SSA payment calendar, the February 11 deposit is for a specific and clearly defined group.
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This week’s payment goes to beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month. The rule applies across all years. Only the day of birth matters.
The payment includes retired workers, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients, and survivors receiving benefits. Spouses and dependents receiving benefits on a worker’s record also follow this rule.There is one critical condition. The beneficiary must have started receiving Social Security after May 1997. Those who began benefits earlier follow a different schedule.
If your birthday falls in this range and you meet the post-1997 rule, your February 2026 Social Security check arrives this week.
Average Social Security payment amounts after the 2.8% COLA
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%, reflecting inflation trends measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This increase is now fully built into February payments. While individual checks vary widely, SSA data shows these average monthly benefit amounts for 2026:
Retired workers receive about $2,074.53 per month on average. This reflects higher lifetime earnings and delayed retirement credits for many beneficiaries. SSDI recipients average $1,633.48 per month. Payments depend on work history before disability, not age.
Survivor beneficiaries receive around $1,622.33 per month, depending on the deceased worker’s earnings record and family structure. These figures are national averages. Actual payments may be higher or lower based on years worked, earnings history, and age at claiming.
Full February 2026 Social Security payment schedule
If you do not receive a payment this week, your deposit is still coming later in the month.
The SSA issues payments on three Wednesdays each month for most beneficiaries:
Those born between the 11th and 20th will receive their February payment on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Those born between the 21st and 31st will receive their payment on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
This staggered system applies only to beneficiaries who started receiving benefits after May 1997. The SSA uses this structure to keep payment processing stable and predictable.
If your payment does not arrive on the scheduled date, the SSA advises waiting three business days before contacting the agency, as banking delays can occur.
SSI payments and early-month Social Security checks explained
Not all beneficiaries follow the Wednesday schedule.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are paid separately. SSI payments normally arrive on the first of the month. When that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payments are sent early.
In February 2026, February 1 fell on a Sunday. As a result, SSI payments were issued early on January 30, 2026. No additional SSI payment will arrive in mid-February.
There is also a special group of Social Security beneficiaries who receive payments at the very start of the month.
If you started receiving Social Security before May 1997, your February payment was issued on February 3, 2026, regardless of your birthday. This group includes long-time retirees and disability beneficiaries.
These two exceptions explain why some people were paid earlier and will not receive money this week.
Why February Social Security payments matter in 2026
Social Security remains the primary source of income for millions of older Americans. SSA data shows that about 40% of retirees rely on Social Security for at least half of their income. For roughly one in five, it provides nearly all monthly income.
With inflation still pressuring housing, food, and healthcare costs, even a 2.8% COLA increase plays a meaningful role in household budgets. February is also a key month for beneficiaries adjusting to new annual benefit amounts after January transitions.
The SSA continues to urge beneficiaries to use direct deposit and to check their my Social Security online account for payment confirmations, benefit letters, and tax documents.
What beneficiaries should do now
If you expect a payment this week, confirm your date of birth and benefit start year. Check your bank account early Wednesday. If you receive SSI only, remember your February payment already arrived in January.
For those still waiting, your payment date is locked in. The SSA does not issue payments early on request.
As February 2026 payments continue, beneficiaries should stay alert for official SSA updates, especially ahead of March, when no calendar shifts affect payment timing.
Social Security payments are arriving. The schedule is set. Knowing where you fall ensures no surprises.
FAQs
1. When will my February 2026 Social Security payment arrive?
More than 48 million beneficiaries are paid on staggered Wednesdays each month. In February 2026, payments arrive on February 11, 18, or 25, based strictly on birth dates and benefit start year. Those who began benefits after May 1997 follow this schedule. Direct deposit usually posts early morning.
2. Who gets the Social Security payment this week?
Roughly 16 million beneficiaries are paid in each weekly cycle. The February 11 deposit goes to retirees, SSDI, and survivor beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th. This applies only to those who started receiving benefits after May 1997. Others will be paid later in the month.
3. How much is the average Social Security check in 2026?
After the 2.8% COLA, the average retired worker receives about $2,074 per month. SSDI recipients average roughly $1,633, while survivor benefits average $1,622. Actual payments vary by lifetime earnings, work credits, and claiming age.
4. Why didn’t SSI recipients get paid in February?
SSI serves about 7.5 million Americans and follows a separate payment rule. Because February 1, 2026, fell on a Sunday, payments were issued early on January 30. No additional SSI deposit is scheduled for mid-February.
