So far in February, the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) has sent out benefits to five groups of recipients, across four payment dates.
And with March now approaching, just one set of beneficiaries is still to be issued this month’s benefits. Here’s what you need to know about the SSA benefits schedule for February 2026:
Three-Wednesdays cycle – payment status update:
Of the 70.6 million Americans who claim one of the SSA’s retirement, disability or survivor benefits, most are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month.
A recipient’s designated Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have accumulated the benefits entitlement.
In February, birthdays falling between the first and 20th of any month were to be covered over the past two Wednesdays. All remaining birthdays are to be catered for next week, in February’s final Wednesday payment run:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: Weds., Feb. 11
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: Weds., Feb. 18
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: Weds., Feb. 25
What about other SSA recipients?
According to the SSA’s official schedule, agency beneficiaries who are paid outside of the three-Wednesdays cycle have been sent their February benefits:
Recipients of the SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) were the first to get their February 2026 payments. Indeed, they received their benefits before January was over: this month’s SSI was paid out on Friday, Jan. 30.
SSI recipients are normally issued their money on the first day of each month, but as February began on a Sunday, payment was brought forward to the nearest working day.
- Some long-term Social Security beneficiaries
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, certain beneficiaries of the SSA’s retirement, disability and survivor programs were paid for February: specifically, those who have been claiming one of these three benefits since before May 1997.
- Dual beneficiaries: Social Security + SSI
On Feb. 3, retirement, disability and survivor benefits were also issued to recipients who combine one of these monthly Social Security payments with SSI.
A program for low-income individuals who are over 65 or have a disability, SSI has 7.4 million beneficiaries – of which around 2.5 million are dual recipients.
Unlike retirement, disability and survivor benefits, SSI is a solely needs-based scheme. It does not depend on recipients’ payment of Social Security taxes.
Social Security and SSI – every payment date for February 2026:
Retirement, disability and survivor benefits
- Tues., Feb. 3: Pre-May ’97/dual recipients
- Weds., Feb. 11: If born on 1st-10th
- Weds., Feb. 18: If born on 11th-20th
- Weds., Feb. 25: If born on 21st-31st
Supplement Security Income
Are there any other benefits on the February schedule?
Yes: After the three-Wednesdays cycle concludes in just under two weeks’ time, the SSA will have one last batch of payments to make in February. As Mar. 1 is a Sunday, next month’s SSI is to be distributed on the final working day in February: Friday, Feb. 27.
How much are retirement, survivor, disability and SSI benefits?
According to figures shared by the SSA, retired workers received $2,074.53 a month on average as of January 2026. Disabled workers were paid an average of $1,633.48 a month, and recipients of survivor benefits got a monthly average of $1,622.32. SSI beneficiaries’ average monthy payment was $737.00.
January’s SSA benefits were the first to include the agency’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Last fall, the SSA revealed that recipients of its retirement, disability and survivor benefits, and SSI beneficiaries, were to be given a 2.8% increase in their monthly payments.
How does Social Security make benefits payments?
The SSA provides two methods of electronic payment:
- Recipients can have their monthly benefits paid into their bank account by direct deposit
- Alternatively, payments can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements made to people without a bank account
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
