What happens after Social Security approves your claim

Once Social Security approves your claim, the agency sets a payment date based on your birth date or the type of benefit you received. Retirement and survivor benefits usually start the month after you meet all requirements. Disability benefits typically begin after a five-month waiting period from the date your disability started. The first payment arrives by direct deposit or check, depending on how you set it up during your application.

Social Security does not send a separate notice telling you your first payment is coming. Instead, you receive a benefit verification letter that shows your monthly amount and payment date. You can view this letter online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, or call 1-800-772-1213 to request one by mail.

Payments arrive on a set schedule each month. Most people receive their payment on the third, fourth, or fifth Wednesday of the month, depending on their birth date. If your payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it arrives the business day before.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security deposits payments directly into your bank account or onto a debit card, and the schedule depends on your birth date.
  • Your first payment arrives in the month after approval for retirement and survivor benefits, or after a five-month waiting period for disability.
  • You can check your payment date and amount through your my Social Security account online or by calling the Social Security Administration.
  • If you work while receiving benefits before full retirement age, Social Security reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit.
  • Changes to your income, living situation, or family status can affect your payment amount and require you to report them to Social Security.

How to receive your payment: direct deposit versus debit card

Social Security requires you to receive payments by direct deposit or onto a debit card issued by the agency. Paper checks are no longer an option for new beneficiaries. During your application, you provide your bank account information or choose to receive a debit card in the mail.

Direct deposit is the fastest method. Your payment arrives in your bank account on your scheduled payment date, usually within one business day of being sent. You can use the money immediately and avoid the risk of a check being lost or stolen.

If you do not have a bank account, Social Security offers a prepaid debit card called the Direct Express card. The card arrives in the mail within two weeks of approval. Your payment deposits onto the card on your scheduled date, and you can withdraw cash at ATMs or use it like a regular debit card at stores. The card has no monthly fee if you use direct deposit, though some ATM networks charge a small fee for withdrawals.

Payment amounts and how they change

Your monthly payment is based on your earnings history, age when you start benefits, and the type of benefit you receive. Social Security calculates your payment using your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the agency counts zero-earning years, which lowers your payment.

Retirement benefits increase by roughly 6 to 8 percent for each year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, up to age 70. Claiming at 62 instead of your full retirement age reduces your payment by about 25 to 30 percent, depending on your birth year. These reductions are permanent and apply to your entire lifetime of benefits.

Your payment amount also changes if you work while receiving benefits before reaching full retirement age. Social Security reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year (this limit changes annually). Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction.

Social Security adjusts all payments each January for cost-of-living increases. The adjustment is the same percentage for all beneficiaries and is based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. In years with no inflation, payments stay the same.

Reporting changes that affect your payment

You must report certain life changes to Social Security within 30 days, or your payment may be delayed or reduced. Changes that require reporting include starting or stopping work, a significant change in earnings, marriage or divorce, a change in your living situation, and changes to your bank account or address.

You can report changes through your my Social Security account online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Some changes, like a change of address, can be reported online. Others, like marriage or divorce, may require you to provide documents in person or by mail.

If you fail to report a change and Social Security overpays you, the agency will ask you to repay the difference. Repayment can happen through reduced future payments, a lump sum, or a payment plan. If you cannot repay, you can request a waiver, though Social Security grants these only in limited circumstances.

What to do if your payment is late or missing

If your payment does not arrive on your scheduled date, first check your my Social Security account to confirm the payment date. Birth dates in November and December have different payment schedules than other months, and it is easy to misremember the exact date.

If the payment date has passed and the money has not arrived, contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready. Social Security can tell you whether the payment was sent and, if so, trace it with your bank. If the payment was sent but your bank did not receive it, your bank can investigate the deposit.

If Social Security did not send the payment, the agency will research why and reissue it. This usually takes five to seven business days. If you need the money urgently, ask Social Security whether you can receive an advance payment or emergency payment, though these are rare and require documented hardship.

Taxes on Social Security benefits

Depending on your total income, you may owe federal income tax on part of your Social Security benefits. Social Security is not automatically taxed like wages, but you may need to pay taxes when you file your annual return.

The amount of your benefits subject to tax depends on your combined income, which includes your adjusted gross income, non-taxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. If your combined income exceeds $25,000 as a single filer or $32,000 as a married couple filing jointly, up to 50 percent of your benefits may be taxable. If your combined income exceeds $34,000 as a single filer or $44,000 as a married couple, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.

Social Security sends you a Form SSA-1099 each January showing the benefits you received in the previous year. You use this form to calculate your tax liability. You can request that Social Security withhold federal income tax from your payment each month to avoid owing a large amount at tax time. Contact Social Security to set up withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my payment date or the day I receive my payment?

You cannot change the day of the month your payment arrives, as it is determined by your birth date. However, you can change how you receive it — switching from direct deposit to a debit card or vice versa — by updating your information in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The change takes effect within one to two payment cycles.

What happens to my benefits if I move to another country?

If you move outside the United States, your benefits may continue, but it depends on your citizenship and the country where you move. U.S. citizens can receive benefits in most countries. Non-citizens may have restrictions. You must notify Social Security of your move, and the agency may ask you to complete a questionnaire each year to confirm you still meet the requirements for your benefit type.

Can someone else receive my Social Security payment on my behalf?

If you are unable to manage your benefits, you can authorize someone to act as your representative payee. Social Security requires a formal application and may ask for medical evidence of your inability to manage funds. The representative payee must use the money for your current maintenance and needs and can be held accountable to Social Security for how the money is spent.

What if I disagree with my payment amount?

You can request a detailed earnings record from Social Security to verify the calculation. If you find an error in your earnings history, you can file a request to correct it, though you generally have only three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the earnings were recorded. Contact Social Security to start the correction process or to appeal your benefit amount.

Do I need to do anything to keep receiving my payment each month?

You do not need to reapply, but you must report changes in your circumstances within 30 days. Social Security may also ask you to complete a work report if you are under full retirement age and working, or to confirm your continued disability if you receive disability benefits. Failure to respond to these requests can result in your benefits being stopped.