The U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun its three-Wednesdays payment cycle for April 2026, with two groups of recipients still to be paid.
Here’s what you need to know about this month’s distribution timeline, for both Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Three-Wednesdays payment cycle – April 2026 benefits update:
Most people on Social Security benefits – retirement, disability or survivor pay – get their money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month. A beneficiary’s designated Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker who has earned the entitlement.
This month, this birthday-dependent cycle kicked off on April 8, with two more payment runs still to come.
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: Wednesday, April 8
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: Wednesday, April 15
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: Wednesday, April 22
Who else has the SSA already paid for April 2026?
On Wednesday, April 1, Americans on SSI were the first group of benefits recipients to get this month’s money.
A scheme for certain low-income individuals in the U.S., SSI is separate from Social Security. Both programs are run by the SSA, but SSI differs as it is a purely needs-based benefit. Eligibility is not employment-record-dependent.
- Some long-term Social Security recipients: April 3
On Friday, April 3, the SSA was to pay out Social Security to Americans who began claiming before May 1997.
- Dual beneficiaries (Social Security + SSI): April 3
April 3 was also this month’s Social Security distribution date for beneficiaries who combine the scheme with SSI.
How much are monthly Social Security and SSI benefits?
- Retired workers: $2,079.49
- Disabled workers: $1,633.76
- Survivor benefits: $1,624.37
- SSI benefits: $735.91
(Average monthly benefits, according to SSA figures.)
How does the Social Security Administration pay benefits?
- Monthly payments can be transferred into a recipient’s bank account by direct deposit
- Benefits can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements made to people without a bank account
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