How Are Payment Dates Chosen for SSDI and SSI?

August 16, 2018

A common concern many claimants ask Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer is when they will start receiving benefits. The payment dates are chosen differently for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues payments according to a complicated schedule for one program and a simple one for the other. However, once SSA determines your date for receiving benefits, you should receive your payment the same day each month after that.

For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the date you receive benefits depends on your birthday.
The Social Security Administration issues all Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on the same day, regardless of the applicant’s birthday.

Most people choose to receive benefits via direct deposit into their bank account or financial institution. Some prefer to have the Social Security Administration add their money to a special debit card. Paper checks are an option in some cases, but it takes several days to receive a check in the mail, meaning you must wait longer to get your money in your account.

Understanding How Social Security Chooses Your Payment Date for SSDI

If you received approval for benefits before May 1 of 1997, you would receive your SSDI benefit payment on the third of every month. Anyone who qualified before this date receives them on the same day of each month.

However, if you qualify after this date or if you are still waiting to learn if the Social Security Administration will approve your application for benefits, the date will depend on your birthday. There are three dates when you could receive your benefit check. These dates include:

The second Wednesday of each month for those born between the 1st and 10th
The third Wednesday of each month for those born between the 11th and 20th
The fourth Wednesday of each month for those born on or after the 21st of their birth month

This will not change unless the Wednesday when you usually would receive your disability payment is on a Federal holiday. For example, if Christmas falls on the third Wednesday of December, those born between the 11th and 20th of their birth month would receive their deposit on December 24 instead.

How the Social Security Administration Sets Payment Dates for SSI

The payment schedule for Supplemental Security Income payments is much less complicated than the SSDI schedule. The Social Security Administration pays all SSI payments on the first of each month if this is the only disability program for which you qualify.

If the first falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the agency issues payments the previous day or the previous Friday. For example, imagine the first of November falls on a Sunday. You should receive your direct deposit or cash added to your debit card on Friday, October 30. For a holiday that falls on the first of a month, you should receive your payment the day immediately preceding the holiday.

Payment Dates for Those Who Receive Both SSDI and SSI Benefits

If you are eligible for both SSI and SSDI benefits, you must complete a separate application for each program. However, once approved, you do not receive them in separate payments. Instead, you should receive one payment on the third day of every month.

Learning About Your Payment Amount

Not everyone gets the same amount of benefits, so it can be hard to know how much to expect when it comes to getting SSDI, SSI, or both. In general, SSDI will provide the larger monthly payout. Both programs have a monthly maximum benefit amount, but most people do not earn the maximum.

Social Security Disability Income

SSDI calculates your monthly benefits based on your past earnings record while you worked. This formula is complicated, but the average payment is about $1,400 a month in 2023. Some people receive as much as $1,000 more than the average, but others receive much less.

Supplemental Security Income

SSI payments are income-based. It is for individuals on a limited income, and only those most in need receive the full Federal Benefit Rate. Your state may also offer additional financial assistance to some people who qualify for SSI benefits.

The easiest way to learn your total benefit amount is to log in to your account. If you have not already created an account, you can create one by logging into this website.

To learn more about your SSDI and SSI benefits, speak with one of our area Social Security Disability lawyers today:

Our Social Security Disability attorneys can do the following for you:

Whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both, we can complete and file each initial application to SSA for disability benefits.
We will confirm that SSA is in possession of your current contact information for all your healthcare providers.
We will provide you with legal representation throughout the benefits process, including any appeals for denied benefits.

Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Can Help You With Your Benefits

A Social Security disability lawyer from Berger and Green can help you understand your options. We can help you file a disability application for benefits to the Social Security Administration. Our team can also handle your appeal and fight to help you get or keep the monthly disability benefits payments you deserve.

Call our office today for your free case consultation.