With April’s payments now close to completion, find out who is still to be sent benefits by the Social Security Administration.
When are Social Security and SSI paid out in April 2026? The complete payment schedule
With its three-Wednesdays payment cycle almost complete, the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) is about to conclude this month’s benefits-distribution schedule.
Whether you claim Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), here’s what you need to know about the SSA’s payment timeline for April 2026:
Three-Wednesdays cycle - April 2026 status update
Most of the 71 million Americans who claim Social Security - retirement, disability or survivor benefits - are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month.
A beneficiary’s allocated Wednesday is decided by the date of birth of the worker who has earned the entitlement.
In April, this birthday-dependent cycle kicked off on Wednesday 8th, before continuing earlier this week. It now has just one more payment run remaining:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: Wednesday, April 8
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: Wednesday, April 15
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: Wednesday, April 22
There were two other payment dates in April: who benefited?
- SSI recipients: April 1
On Wednesday, April 1, Americans on SSI were the first group of benefits recipients to get this month’s money.
A program for certain low-income individuals, SSI is separate from Social Security. Both schemes are run by the SSA, but SSI differs as it is a solely needs-based benefit. Eligibility is not work-record-dependent.
- Some long-term Social Security recipients: April 3
On Friday, April 3, the SSA issued Social Security to recipients who began claiming before May 1997.
- Double beneficiaries (Social Security + SSI): April 3
April 3 was also this month’s Social Security payment date for beneficiaries who combine the scheme with SSI.
How much are Social Security and SSI benefits?
- Retired workers: $2,079.49/month
- Disabled workers: $1,634.51/month
- Survivor benefits: $1,624.37/month
- SSI benefits: $736.28/month
(Average benefits, per SSA stats.)
How does the Social Security Administration make benefits payments?
- Benefits can be paid into a recipient’s bank account by direct deposit
- Money can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal payments to people who do not have a bank account
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