Here’s Why Social Security Recipients Won’t Receive Payments This Week

The Social Security Administration has not issued payments this week. However, the pause is not due to a delay or disruption. The payment schedule aligns with the way the Social Security Administration distributes benefits each month.

The SSA sends monthly payments to nearly 74 million Americans, including retirees, people with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Because of the program’s schedule, not all recipients are paid at the same time. The federal agency has a calendar for beneficiaries to track their payments each month, according to Newsweek and Blavity.

SSA benefits are based on a calendar schedule

Most payments are based on the beneficiary’s birth date, unless they began collecting benefits before May 1997 or also receive Supplemental Security Income. These two groups typically receive their payments during the first week of the month.

For others, Social Security benefits are issued on Wednesdays depending on their birth date:

Born 1st–10th: Paid the second Wednesday of the month

Born 11th–20th: Paid the third Wednesday of the month

Born 21st–31st: Paid the fourth Wednesday of the month

When can beneficiaries expect August payments?

In August, the second Wednesday falls on Aug. 13, which is the first round of mid-month payments in the third week rather than the second. Because of this, the SSA will not disperse regular payments during the week of Aug. 4–10. Instead, recipients with birthdays between the 11th and 20th will receive their checks on Aug. 20, and those born after the 20th will be paid on Aug. 27, per Newsweek. 

The SSA encourages anyone who does not receive their expected payment to wait three business days before contacting the agency.

Other factors that determine SSA benefit amounts

Social Security benefits vary based on an individual’s work history, their age at which they begin collecting, another family member’s income and their living circumstances. In 2025, the agency sent a maximum monthly payment of $967 to single recipients, Blavity reported. 

Single individuals earning under $2,019 per month from work, or under $988 from other sources, may qualify for SSI. There are higher income limits available for couples and parents applying on behalf of children.