As July nears its halfway point, the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) has kicked off this month’s three-Wednesdays payment cycle and is this week set to issue its latest round of benefits.
Read on for details on July’s distribution timeline for the following SSA benefits programs:
- Social Security (retirement, disability and survivor)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Three-Wednesdays Social Security cycle: July 2026 update
Of the 71.3 million Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S., many are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month, depending on their date of birth.
In July, this cycle kicked in last week and has two payment runs still to come, starting this Wednesday.
- Beneficiaries born on 1st to 10th of any month: paid on Wednesday, July 8
- Beneficiaries born on 11th to 20th of any month: paid on Wednesday, July 15
- Beneficiaries born on 21st to 31st of any month: paid on Wednesday, July 22
NB: If you claim Social Security benefits based on someone else’s employment history, the SSA uses the other person’s birthday.
What other payment dates are on the July 2026 schedule?
- July 1: July’s SSI benefits paid out
On Wednesday, July 1, the SSA sent out SSI payments to the scheme’s 7.3 million beneficiaries.
A benefit for certain low-income, low-resource individuals, SSI is operated by the SSA, but differs from Social Security as it is needs-based. Eligibility does not depend on a claimant’s work record.
- July 2: Social Security paid to some long-term recipients
On Thursday, July 2, the SSA distributed this month’s Social Security to recipients who started receiving their benefits before May 1997.
- July 2: Social Security paid to recipients also on SSI
July 2 was also this month’s Social Security payment date for beneficiaries who combine the program with SSI.
Dual and pre-May ‘97 recipients normally get their Social Security on the third of the month, but were paid a day early because July 3 was a federal holiday.
- July 31: August’s SSI benefits paid out
On Friday, July 31, August’s SSI payments are due to go out 24 hours ahead of schedule. This is because next month’s typical distribution date, August 1, is a non-business day.
How much are monthly Social Security and SSI benefits?
- Social Security retirement benefits: $2,029.92
- Social Security disability benefits: $1,496.16
- Social Security survivor benefits: $1,631.39
- SSI benefits: $738.10
(Average benefit, per figures shared by the SSA.)
How does the Social Security Admin pay out benefits?
- Money can be transferred into a recipient’s bank account by direct deposit
- Benefits can be paid onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal disbursements
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